New Jersey Injury Attorneys Seek Compensation for Clients with Spinal Injuries

Accomplished trial lawyers in Springfield fight for victims of catastrophic accidents

It’s easy to take simple mobility for granted. But a sudden spinal cord injury might rob you of the ability to move your limbs and perform tasks for yourself. A catastrophic spine injury changes your life forever. If someone’s negligence or intentional act caused that injury, you deserve to be compensated for the harm you’ve endured. This encompasses more than economic losses, but also the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, as well as your diminished quality of life. At PKM Personal Injury Lawyers in Springfield, our accomplished team provides aggressive representation to New Jersey victims of spinal injuries. Our attorneys are personally invested in your case, because we understand how much you depend on fair compensation to meet your present and future needs.

Causes of spinal injuries

Trauma to the back and/or neck is the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Events that cause such trauma include:

  • Traffic accidents — Motor vehicle accidents account for 40 percent of spinal cord injuries. Car and truck crashes, especially at high speeds, can cause a whiplash effect that damages the cervical section of the cord. Motorcycle and bicycle crashes can produce secondary impacts against the road, inflicting severe neck and back injuries.
  • Falls — The impact of a fall from a high location, as we often see in construction accidents, can cause the spine to snap. Spinal damage can also occur in a slip and fall while someone is walking on an unsafe surface, especially when the victim is elderly.
  • Athletics — Sports that require violent contact can damage the spine. In football, improper tackling often causes neck trauma.
  • Assault — Gunshot wounds are a leading cause of paralysis. But violent assaults can also cause spinal injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries.

Not every injury is compensable. But if you were hurt due to someone else’s wrongful act or omission, you are entitled to recover for your losses.

Effects of spinal cord injuries

The spinal cord runs from the base of the skull to the tail bone, transmitting nerve signals from the brain to all parts of the body and back again. When the neural pathways are broken, the signals are interrupted, causing lack of function. Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete and incomplete. A complete break means that signals are entirely interrupted. In incomplete injuries, signals are diminished; there can be sensation, limited mobility and diminished function below the point of injury.

Common effects of spinal injuries include:

  • Paraplegia — When the trauma occurs in the thoracic or lumbar region, the victim can lose the ability to move their legs.
  • Quadriplegia — When the trauma occurs in the cervical region, the victim can lose the use of their arms and legs.
  • Internal organ dysfunction —When the break is in the cervical or thoracic region, organs in the chest are impacted. Breathing could be compromised, as well as digestion and kidney function. A break anywhere, including the lumbar region, can cause sexual dysfunction, as well as bladder and bowel incontinence.

As you Injury lawyers, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident, interview witnesses and consult with accident reconstruction specialists. We also consult with medical experts to fully understand your prognosis, so we can bolster your legal argument with scientific evidence. We are determined to build a persuasive case to recover the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Contact our New Jersey lawyers for a free spinal injury consultation

PKM Personal Injury Lawyers in Springfield advocate for clients who have suffered spinal injuries throughout New Jersey. We have the skill and experience to present complicated evidence in a compelling manner. Call 908-677-5012 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.