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(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, we understand the overwhelming impact this can have on your life. We’re here to help you through this difficult time at Baumgartner Law Firm. Our experienced attorneys know how devastating spinal cord injuries can be, sometimes resulting in permanent loss of function or complete paralysis, requiring long-term care and support.
For over 40 years, we’ve helped Houston-area families explore their legal options, pursue compensation, and seek justice in spinal cord injury cases. We’re committed to helping you understand your rights and confidently take the next steps.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm in Houston are here to evaluate your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Since 1985, our firm has had a proven track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts in catastrophic injury cases, including those involving spinal trauma.
We understand the long-term physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can take, and we fight aggressively to hold responsible parties accountable.
Personal injury attorney Greg Baumgartner, the founder of Baumgartner Law Firm, has spent the last 40 years helping accident victims. He is top-rated in personal injury and wrongful death cases and has won millions for accident victims with a spine injury in Houston and across Texas. Let Greg work to maximize your compensation.
The amount of compensation you can receive for a spine injury can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of your case. Here are some examples of spine injury results we have achieved to give you an idea of what to expect:
A 42-year-old man suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident that required surgery.
A 55-year-old man received a settlement after a commercial vehicle accident with a spinal cord injury.
If someone else’s negligence caused your spinal cord injury, you may be eligible to pursue significant compensation. Texas doesn’t place broad limits on personal injury damages (except in rare cases), so your recovery can reflect the full impact of your injury.
These cover the direct financial losses you’ve suffered, such as:
Medical bills, wage statements, and employment records typically support these damages.
These account for the personal and emotional toll of a spinal injury, including:
These damages recognize that an injury affects more than just your finances.
While less common, punitive damages may be available if the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for your safety. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether your case qualifies for this type of award.
Spinal injuries can result from many accidents, and multiple parties may be held legally responsible. Potentially liable parties include:
To hold someone accountable, your attorney must prove:
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You may be barred from recovering damages if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault. If you’re less than 51% responsible, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
Liability and damages in spinal injury cases are complex. Speaking with a qualified personal injury lawyer ensures you understand your rights and don’t leave money on the table.
If you have suffered a spine injury, maximizing your compensation is essential. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your spine injury settlement:
The first and most crucial step after a spine injury is to seek medical treatment. This is important for your health. It also keeps a record of your injuries. This record can be used as evidence in your case.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. If you don’t do this, the insurance company can argue that your injuries are not as serious as you say.
To support your compensation claim, keep detailed records of all medical expenses. Also, track lost wages and other costs related to your spine injury. This includes receipts, medical bills, and pay stubs.
You should keep a journal about your pain and suffering. Write about how your injury affects your daily life. Include any emotional distress you have felt.
Handling a spine injury case can be complex and overwhelming, especially with insurance companies. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
A personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies. They will fight for your rights. They will also have access to resources and experts who can help strengthen your case.
Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement to avoid a lengthy legal battle. However, it’s essential not to settle too quickly, as you may be entitled to more compensation than initially offered.
Consult with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offers to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
In Texas, you must bring a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident for a spinal cord injury. If the statute of limitations passes before you have filed your case, you will be stopped from seeking compensation for your damages. You should act as soon as possible by retaining a reputable attorney to pursue compensation.
Spinal cord injuries often occur due to sudden trauma or extreme force applied to the back or neck. These injuries can happen in a variety of accidents where the body experiences a violent impact or abrupt stop. Common sources include:
Crashes involving cars or trucks frequently result in spinal injuries. The force of a collision can cause the spine to twist, hyperextend, or compress, leading to broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or damage to the cord itself.
People riding motorcycles or bicycles—or those traveling on foot—are particularly vulnerable. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, the impact from a crash or being thrown to the ground can severely injure the spine.
Hazardous work environments, especially construction zones, often contribute to spinal injuries. These can result from falls, equipment malfunctions, being struck by heavy objects, or accidents involving machinery and vehicles.
Falls are a major contributor to spinal injuries across all age groups. Whether it’s slipping on a wet surface or falling from a ladder, the jarring impact on the spine can lead to serious trauma, especially in vulnerable populations like children and older people.
It is a myth that X-rays show all spinal cord injuries – they do not. More advanced tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, are often necessary to diagnose certain neck and back injuries accurately.
Doctors typically attempt conservative treatment before ordering an MRI to avoid the excess expense. This can lead to a delay in the correct diagnosis after an automobile accident.
It is crucial to understand that treatment for spinal cord injury begins right at the scene of an accident. Immediate medical attention and early treatment steps are essential to minimize trauma effects, maintain breathing, and prevent shock.
Regularly, we see injuries such as bulging discs and herniated discs as a result of serious car accidents. However, the injury is usually diagnosed after a CT Scan or an MRI. Most spinal cord injuries require extensive medical expenses and physical therapy.
Personal injury attorneys frequently see fractures and herniated discs after a car accident.
Diagnosing a spinal cord injury involves a thorough physical examination, a detailed medical history, and a series of diagnostic tests. During the physical exam, doctors check the patient’s movement, feelings, and reflexes to help them understand how serious the injury is. Diagnostic tests play a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis and determining the severity of the injury.
Common diagnostic tests for spinal cord injuries include:
The treatment of spinal cord injuries varies depending on the level and severity of the injury. In the early stages, prompt medical attention is crucial. It stabilizes the spine, reduces pressure on the spinal cord, and fixes damaged vertebrae or discs. Surgical procedures may be necessary to achieve these goals.
In the subacute phase, the focus shifts to rehabilitation and recovery. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other types of rehab. These help the patient regain movement and independence. Rehabilitation programs are tailored to the individual’s needs and may include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination.
In the chronic phase, ongoing medical care and rehab are important. They help manage the long-term effects of the injury. This may include managing pain, treating issues such as pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections, and providing respiratory support. People with spinal cord injuries may need assistive devices. They may also need adjustments to their living space, which can help enhance their quality of life.
If you or someone you care about has a spinal cord injury, it is very important to get medical help right away. Additionally, contacting a Houston spinal cord injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of seeking compensation for your injuries and ensure that you receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation to recover.
The following are highly rated Houston hospitals with orthopedic specialists:
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious event. It disrupts how the spinal cord works. This can cause a loss of movement, feeling, or automatic functions in some body parts. The spinal cord is an important part of the central nervous system. It sends messages between the brain and the body. Spinal cord injuries can be classified into two main types: complete and incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is fully cut, leading to a total loss of movement and feeling below the injury site. An incomplete spinal cord injury means the spinal cord is only partly damaged, allowing some motor and sensory functions to remain below the injury site.
Further classification of spinal cord injuries is based on the level of the injury:
Knowing the type and severity of a spinal cord injury is important. This helps in deciding the right treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Signs of a spinal cord injury often appear within minutes after an accident. However, some symptoms may not show up for days or weeks. The accident victim’s health may deteriorate as ongoing fluctuations in cerebral blood flow and pressure build inside the skull.
Spinal cord injuries can negatively affect the victim’s emotional, cognitive, and physical condition before, during, and after rehabilitation therapy. They may need a wheelchair to get around. They may also require assistance with daily activities. Medications may be necessary for health issues caused by the injury. Some individuals may even require around-the-clock nursing care.
If the victim is the sole provider for a family, they will need financial assistance to cover living, hospital, home care, medication, and therapy costs. Out-of-pocket expenses and medical bills add up quickly in Houston, Texas.
This is one of the many reasons to contact a Houston spinal cord injury lawyer immediately. If you or someone you know has a spinal cord injury, it is important to get help quickly. Spine injury victims should get help quickly after an accident.
Insurance adjusters often dispute spine injury claims. Therefore, it is recommended that you get an experienced personal injury attorney for such injuries.
The University of Alabama, in a recent study, cited the average medical bills of spinal cord injury to be:
These figures are national averages, and larger metropolitan areas such as Houston have significantly higher medical care costs. The costs for spine surgery vary by location. Some of our cases have lifetime medical care, projected to be several million dollars. In addition to lost income, families can easily be financially devastated by the accident, not to mention the pain and suffering. An injured person suffering from a spinal cord injury faces a substantial financial burden due to these high costs.
Fortunately, Houston has some of the finest physicians in the world, is on the cutting edge of spinal cord injury care, and options that were unavailable ten years ago exist today.
Spinal cord injuries frequently involve one or more fractured vertebrae, severing or damaging the spinal cord. Accident victims suffering a fractured vertebra almost immediately experience excruciating pain, numbness, and tingling in the back and legs, and sometimes unconsciousness.
Muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones protect the spinal cord. However, it can be seriously damaged if even a small part of the vertebra is harmed.
Common reasons for a fractured vertebra include being crushed or trampled. This can happen from vehicle tires, crowds, or heavy objects falling on the back. It can also occur from a strong spine extension, like in severe whiplash.
Baumgartner Law Firm has been handling significant neck and back injury cases for decades, and we take great pride in our track record of success.
We have helped numerous families, with clients receiving six- and seven-figure settlements. Please visit our results section for further information on recent cases.
Call our experienced personal injury attorney in Houston for a free initial consultation regarding your rights and options, and know that we charge no fee on the cases we accept unless we win your case.
Call (281) 587-1111 or send us an email asking for a consultation
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069
(281) 587-1111
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