The spinal cord is the main tract of nerves that allows the brain and the body to communicate. When a person’s spinal cord is seriously damaged in a car crash, a slip and fall accident, a construction accident, or other circumstance, the injury often results in devastating pain, enormous medical expenses, physical impairment, and emotional trauma.
The Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers at Legal Fighters have seen firsthand the heartbreaking toll these injuries take on victims and their families. We fight for clients whose lives have been shattered by spinal cord injuries because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
If you or a loved one is living with the consequences of a spinal cord injury, call Legal Fighters today. We can pursue every dollar of compensation you’re entitled to receive under the law—compensation that can help you and your family face the future with hope and confidence.
Why Choose Legal Fighters for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
When you're up against a life-altering injury, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a team that knows how to win and who cares about the outcome as much as you do.
With more than $2.5 billion recovered for injury victims and over 6,000 cases successfully resolved, our team brings not just experience and skill, but compassion, care, and unwavering dedication to every case.
Here’s why so many spinal cord injury victims across Los Angeles trust Legal Fighters:
Client-first philosophy
You’re the reason we do what we do. We’re known for constant communication, compassionate service, and total transparency.
Strategic partnerships
We collaborate with elite medical experts to strengthen your case.
End-to-end case management
From medical care coordination to insurance negotiations, we handle everything.
No fees unless we win
You don’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
Experienced with catastrophic injuries
We’re equipped to handle the most high-stakes and complex spinal cord injury cases.
Aggressive insurance negotiation
We protect you from being taken advantage of by big insurance companies.
Immediate medical connections
We can help you get the care you need, even if you don’t have insurance.
Respected in the legal community
Our results speak for themselves—and so do our peers.
Client testimonials that say it all
We’ve helped thousands of families feel supported, heard, and protected.
When you hire Legal Fighters, you’re not just getting a law firm. You’re gaining a legal ally who treats your case—and your life—with the seriousness it deserves.
The Reality of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury (SCI) of any magnitude can disrupt the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, often leading to loss of sensation, paralysis, and long-term disability. Injuries can be complete, where there is no function below the injury site, or incomplete, where some function remains.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the United States every year. The average lifetime cost of care for someone with high tetraplegia (paralysis from the neck down) can exceed $5 million.
Even injuries that may seem “milder” can require lifelong care, advanced assistive devices, and repeated hospitalizations. And the emotional toll on both victims and their families is immeasurable.
The Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can happen anywhere, at any time, and often result from someone else’s carelessness. Below are some of the most common scenarios that lead to SCIs in Los Angeles.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes account for 37.3% of all SCIs. Sudden impact can fracture vertebrae or compress the spinal cord.
- Falls: Slip-and-falls at workplaces, on stairs, or from ladders or other heights can cause severe spinal injuries, particularly among older adults or construction workers. These accidents account for about 32% of all SCIs.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Being struck by a car while walking or biking can lead to spinal trauma, especially when thrown or crushed in the collision.
- Acts of violence: Gunshots, stabbings, or assaults can penetrate or sever the spinal cord, causing instant and irreversible damage.
- Recreational accidents: Diving into shallow water or sports-related impacts can compress or bruise the spinal cord.
- Medical or surgical errors: In rare cases, surgical mistakes or mismanaged conditions like spinal abscesses may result in permanent injury.
Every spinal cord injury case is unique, but many have one thing in common: they could have been prevented. If someone else’s actions led to your injury, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The type and severity of your spinal cord injury will affect your mobility, quality of life, and long-term medical needs. Below are the main classifications used by medical professionals.
Complete spinal cord injuries
A complete SCI means that there is no motor or sensory function below the level of injury. This typically results in total paralysis below the injury site and may affect both sides of the body equally. These injuries are often permanent and can include paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the location.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
An incomplete SCI means that there is some level of preserved function or feeling below the injury. These cases vary widely, from mild weakness and tingling to partial mobility, and outcomes depend on the specific nerves involved and the effectiveness of early treatment.
Tetraplegia (quadriplegia)
This condition affects all four limbs as well as the torso and usually results from damage to the cervical (neck) region of the spine. Individuals may require full-time care, ventilator assistance, and complex rehabilitation support.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia typically results from damage to the lower spine and involves loss of movement and sensation in the legs and lower body. While some individuals regain partial function, many require wheelchairs and intensive physical therapy to maintain independence.
Central cord syndrome
Common in older adults with pre-existing spinal narrowing, this incomplete SCI affects the center of the cord and often leads to greater weakness in the arms than the legs. It can result in bladder dysfunction and significant upper-body disability.
Anterior cord syndrome
This rare type of injury damages the front portion of the spinal cord and affects motor control, pain sensation, and temperature regulation, often sparing some light touch or position sense.
Brown-Sequard syndrome
A hemisection (half injury) of the spinal cord, often from stabbing or blunt trauma, leads to weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and loss of pain/temperature sensation on the opposite side.
Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries don’t just impact movement, they disrupt nearly every system in the body. The secondary complications can be just as life-altering as the injury itself, creating a ripple effect of new medical challenges that require lifelong attention.
Here are some of the most common complications spinal cord injury victims may face:
- Chronic pain: Neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain often becomes a constant part of daily life.
- Respiratory difficulties: Injuries in the cervical region can impair lung function, requiring ventilators or breathing support.
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Many individuals lose control over these functions, leading to infection risks and reduced independence.
- Pressure sores: Limited mobility can result in painful skin ulcers that may become infected.
- Muscle spasticity: Uncontrolled muscle stiffness and spasms can interfere with movement and daily activities.
- Depression and anxiety: The psychological toll of sudden disability often leads to serious mental health challenges.
- Sexual dysfunction: Loss of nerve function can affect both sexual performance and fertility.
- Autonomic dysreflexia: A dangerous spike in blood pressure caused by triggers below the level of injury, particularly in those with higher-level injuries.
- Increased risk of infection: Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and skin infections are common among spinal cord injury survivors.
The combination of these complications can make everyday life an exhausting cycle of care, adaptation, and coping. That’s why securing the right support system along with the right legal team is essential.
Negligence and the Foundation of a Spinal Cord Injury Case
To build a strong spinal cord injury claim, your legal team must prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. In California, negligence is made up of four essential elements:
- Duty of care: The person or entity responsible owed you a basic duty to act safely. For example, drivers must obey traffic laws to protect others on the road.
- Breach of duty: That duty was broken. This might include distracted driving, speeding, or failing to maintain a safe property.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury. This link must be clearly established through evidence and expert testimony.
- Damages: You suffered losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain, as a result of the injury.
Our job at Legal Fighters is to gather the evidence, work with medical experts, and tell your story in a way that makes the full impact of your injury clear. We approach every case with a determination to send it to trial, which gives us leverage to successfully settle many claims.
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?
No two spinal cord injury cases are alike. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, the cost of your treatment, and how the injury affects your ability to live, work, and care for yourself. Below are the primary types of damages we pursue on behalf of our clients.
Economic damages
These cover your direct financial losses, including:
- Hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and home modifications
- Ongoing medical care, prescription medications, and assistive equipment
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Transportation to medical appointments or therapy
Non-economic damages
These account for the emotional and personal consequences of your injury, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of independence or mobility
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Damage to relationships or family roles
Punitive damages
In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Our legal team works with economists, medical experts, and life care planners to ensure every dollar you’re owed is documented, justified, and pursued relentlessly.
Let Legal Fighters Handle the Insurance Companies
After a spinal cord injury, insurance companies are quick to reach out, but they are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize your payout as much as possible, even when your injuries are catastrophic. When you’re physically and emotionally drained, negotiating with insurers can lead to mistakes that jeopardize your claim.
You can trust our experienced Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers to protect the value of your claim. We will:
- Handle every phone call, document, and settlement discussion
- Review every offer to ensure it reflects the full value of your damages
- Push back against delay tactics, denials, and lowball settlements
Don’t talk to the insurance companies before talking to us. You only get one chance to do this right.
Protecting the Value of Your Claim
What you do in the days and weeks after a spinal cord injury can significantly affect your claim’s value. Even small missteps can give the insurance company grounds to devalue or deny your compensation.
To protect your case:
- Keep every medical appointment and follow your doctor’s instructions closely
- Hire a lawyer as soon as possible, before speaking with insurers or signing any paperwork
- Avoid social media posts about your accident, recovery, or physical limitations
- Preserve all evidence, including photos, witness contacts, and your own notes
- Document your recovery—keep track of symptoms, expenses, and how your daily life has changed
- Do not accept a quick settlement, even if it seems fair. Early offers rarely cover long-term care
Your future matters. Let us help protect it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the deadline for filing a spinal cord injury claim in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. If a government agency is involved, the deadline may be as short as six months.
You have too much at stake to leave anything to chance. Contact a Los Angeles Spinal Cord injury attorney with Legal Fighters as soon as possible to safeguard your claim for damages.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California follows a comparative fault system, which means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you can still recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident. Insurance companies often take advantage of comparative fault rules to shift blame and reduce their liability. Our Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers can help protect you from undue blame.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
We believe everyone should have access to a top-performing personal injury lawyer, so we handle all our cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing at all unless Legal Fighters wins your case.
What if my injury wasn’t caused by a car accident?
Spinal cord injuries can happen in many ways. Whether it was a fall, workplace accident, or medical error, we can investigate and pursue every responsible party.
How Can a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help Me?
Hiring an experienced Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after an accident. Here's how Legal Fighters can help:
- Investigate the cause of your injury
- Gather medical records and expert testimony
- Coordinate your medical care and monitor treatment
- Handle all insurance company communication
- Calculate your total damages and losses
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or prepare your case for trial
- Keep you informed every step of the way
We don’t just handle the legal side—we help guide you through the entire recovery journey.
Call Legal Fighters Today to Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
We know that no amount of money can undo what happened. But the right legal help can make a real difference in your recovery, your quality of life, and your future.
Financial compensation can pay for the care you need, support your family, and restore some sense of control in a situation that’s turned your world upside down.
At Legal Fighters, we treat every client like family. We take the time to understand your story, fight fiercely on your behalf, and deliver the results you deserve. Don’t wait.
Call us today at (800) 210-0000 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.