Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries

Accidents are common in the Chula Vista area, and while some people involved in accidents walk away unharmed, others suffer devastating trauma, such as spinal injuries. Accidents that damage the spine often not only cause significant physical and emotional harm but also result in economic losses as well. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal injury because of an accident brought on by another party’s reckless behavior, it is smart to contact a lawyer to discuss what measures you can take to protect your interests. The skilled Chula Vista personal injury attorneys of the Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth take pride in aiding injured people in the pursuit of compensation for their losses, and if we represent you, we will aggressively seek the full amount of compensation recoverable under the law. We frequently represent people who suffer spinal injuries in lawsuits in Chula Vista, San Diego, and cities throughout Southern California.

Typically, spinal injuries arise out of sudden impacts. In other words, the force produced causes damage to vertebrae, discs, or ligaments, which in turn compresses or severs the spinal cord. The force produced in automobile collisions is a common cause of spinal injuries. Similarly, assaults and falls frequently cause sufficient force to damage the spine as well. The severity of a spinal cord injury largely depends on where on the spine the injury occurred and whether the injury is complete or incomplete.

The extent of a spinal injury will vary depending on the force produced, whether it was an incomplete or complete injury, and where on the spine it occurred. A person with an incomplete injury will be able to retain some movement and sensation in the parts of the body that fall below the point of harm. In contrast, an individual with a complete injury will lose all feeling and control below that area. Spinal injuries not only cause motor and sensory deficits, they can also lead to nerve pain, circulation and respiration issues, bowel and bladder incontinence, and muscle atrophy. Many people who suffer spinal injuries also subsequently develop anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Most spinal injuries arise out of accidental harm. Generally, then, a plaintiff seeking compensation for a spinal injury in a civil lawsuit will argue that the defendant acted negligently. Under California law, a plaintiff pursuing a negligence claim must first prove that the defendant owed them a duty, which is generally the obligation to act with due care under the given circumstances. Next, the plaintiff has to establish that the defendant’s behavior constitutes a breach of the duty owed. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer actual harm. In other words, that the plaintiff would not have suffered a spinal injury but for the defendant’s actions or omissions.

A plaintiff that demonstrates a defendant’s negligence may be awarded compensation. In most instances, the damages recovered by the plaintiff are meant to compensate for the financial losses caused by the accident, which may include lost earnings, the cost of any medical care they needed or will need in the future, and out-of-pocket costs. They may also be granted damages for their intangible losses as well, like the trauma, emotional pain, and suffering caused by their injury.

Spinal injuries usually permanently diminish every part of a person’s life, and parties that carelessly cause accidents that lead to spinal damage should be held accountable. If you suffered a spinal injury in Chula Vista or San Diego, it is advisable to speak to a lawyer about your potential claims. The dedicated Chula Vista personal injury attorneys of the Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth are adept at helping injured parties obtain favorable outcomes, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly on your behalf. We frequently assist people in personal injury cases in Chula Vista as well as throughout the San Diego area. You can reach us via our form online or at 619-691-8942 or via our online form to set up a confidential and free conference.