Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Spinal cord injuries affect over a quarter million individuals in the United States. Approximately 10,000 people each year will sustain a spinal cord injury. The majority, 82%, are men between the ages of 16 and 30. Most are injured as a result of a traumatic event such as a motor vehicle accident, criminal act or fall. In rare cases, the spinal cord may be injured by a tumor or a virus.
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) causes damage to the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of mobility or feeling. The location and extent of the trauma determines the severity of the injury.
Anatomy
The spinal cord is simply a bundle of nerves. It carries nerve impulses to and from the brain and to the rest of the body. The brain works with the spinal cord to form the Central Nervous System. The spinal cord is protected by rings of bone known as vertebra. The vertebra can be identified according to their location. The eight vertebras in the neck are the cervical vertebra, starting with the topmost C-1 and moving down to C-8. The twelve vertebras in the chest are known as the thoracic vertebra and are identified as T-1 to T-12. The vertebras in the lower back are the lumbar vertebras- L-1 thru L-5. The lowest vertebras are the sacral vertebra, S-1 thru S-5. The Sacral vertebras extend from the pelvis to the spinal column. In general, the higher the location of the spinal cord damage, the greater the extent of the injury. Damage in the area of the cervical vertebra, for example, is associated with quadriplegia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my case worth?
This is a difficult question to answer and depends on many factors, including the law in the state where the injury occurred (some states have caps on the amount of damages that can be awarded). Other factors include how significant the damages are, how likely it is that our client will win the case, and what injuries the client suffered as a result of the Defendant’s wrongdoing. Also, a case is never worth more than the Defendant can pay.
How long will the case take?
Each jurisdiction is different, but it is more common for a case to take a few years than it is to take a few months.
How much money will it take to pursue my case and who pays for those costs?
In almost all our cases, Goren, Goren & Harris agrees to advance all the necessary case costs. Spinal Cord injury cases can be very expensive and can cost tens of thousands of dollars: Experts need to be consulted in many fields. They are paid a high hourly rate to read medical records, research issues, consult with attorneys and give sworn deposition testimony. Besides expert consultants, money is generally spent purchasing medical records, paying filing fees and buying deposition transcripts of the witnesses who are interviewed under oath during the lawsuit. We understand that most individuals do not have the monetary resources to invest in a lawsuit, which is why we almost always take care of the costs.
Then how do the lawyers get paid?
Our spinal cord injury attorneys work on a contingent-fee basis, taking a percentage of the amount recovered to pay our fee. Remember: we never get paid unless you get paid.
Contact Goren, Goren & Harris, P.C.
Because many spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents or medical negligence, a back injury lawyer experienced with spinal cord injuries can help your family cope with the financial burden associated with the injury. At Goren, Goren & Harris, we work with doctors, physical therapists and vocational experts around the country to help assess our clients’ injuries. Care and treatment is expensive and we want to make sure our clients’ futures are protected.
Goren, Goren & Harris is listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. We have attorneys who have taught lawyers at seminars, authored numerous articles, published more than a half dozen legal book chapters. We have attorneys listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law. And, we pride ourselves on the quality of service we give to our clients.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a spinal cord injury, contact Goren, Goren & Harris for a FREE case evaluation. We never get paid unless you get paid. For thirty-five years our firm has been helping people injured by the negligence of others. We want to use our experience to help you.