When spinal cord injuries (SCIs) happen, they can significantly change a victim’s life. If a spinal cord injury is caused by the careless or reckless actions of another person, the victim could qualify for financial compensation for various related losses.
The assistance and representation of a highly qualified spinal cord injury attorney in Fresno can make all the difference during the claims process. Contact our Fresno personal injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers for a free consultation with an experienced local lawyer. We don’t charge any fees unless we win.
$2B+ Recovered For Our Clients
Your Spinal Injury Case Is Too Important to Wait
Free Consultations – No Fees Unless We Win!
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers for Your Fresno SCI Cases?
- We have an established track record of success in personal injury law, including multiple seven-figure case outcomes for spinal cord injury victims.
- Our team of attorneys has specialized experience with spinal cord injury claims in California. We understand the nuances and complexities of these specific cases.
- You will receive compassionate and dedicated legal support throughout your SCI case. We have earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients through over 50 years of representation.
- We are right where you need us. Our law firm has deep roots in the Fresno community, with a local law office located at 516 W Shaw Ave #200, Fresno, CA 93704.
Understanding Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury refers to any type of harm or damage that affects the spine, or the column of vertebrae, disks and nerves that are responsible for transferring messages between the brain and the body. The type of spinal cord injury diagnosed after an accident in Fresno can determine the likely symptoms and prognosis for recovery.
Complete vs. Incomplete Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of feeling and function below the point of injury (known as paralysis). Complete spinal cord injuries are typically irreversible. Incomplete injuries mean that the patient retains some sensory and motor function below the point of injury.
Levels of Spinal Cord Damage
SCIs are also diagnosed based on the level of injury, or the location of the injury along the spinal cord. There are five regions of the spine. From top to bottom, they are:
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Coccyx
Since spinal cord injuries typically impact the victim from the level of injury down, upper spine injuries tend to be the most severe.
Paralysis Classifications
If an SCI results in paralysis, the victim could experience varying degrees and locations of lost motor function and the ability to feel sensations:
- Monoplegia: paralysis of one limb
- Hemiplegia: paralysis of an arm and leg on the same side of the body
- Paraplegia: paralysis below the waist
- Triplegia: paralysis of three limbs
- Quadriplegia: paralysis below the neck
Paralysis in any form can come with secondary complications and medical conditions, such as bedsores, bowel and bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Fresno
Many different types of accidents can cause spinal cord, neck and back injuries in Fresno. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the most common causes are:
- Traffic accidents
- Construction and industrial accidents
- Premises liability incidents
- Medical malpractice
- Sports and recreation injuries
- Acts of violence
Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for 37.3 percent in the U.S. since 2015. Falls are the second-most common cause at 32 percent.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Your Fresno Spinal Cord Injury
When spinal cord injuries in Fresno are caused by negligence, or the failure to behave with ordinary care, victims may be eligible for financial compensation. Filing a claim for your injury could result in compensation, or damages, that help you move forward.
Available damages may include:
- Medical expenses and future care costs
- Long-term or permanent paralysis or disability
- Home modifications and assistive equipment
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering and quality of life damages
Determine the value of your case by working with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Fresno. Then, pursue maximum compensation using your lawyer for insurance negotiations or litigation in court, if necessary.
How Our Fresno Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Fight for You
It can be critical to work with an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer during your Fresno injury case. Otherwise, you may be taken advantage of by an insurance company that wishes to protect its own profits rather than your well-being. The personal injury attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers will fight for your rights and future with a tailored legal strategy.
We will start with a complete case investigation and evidence gathering, during which we will identify all liable or legally at-fault parties. Then, we will calculate an accurate value for your case and take over settlement negotiations with an insurance company. Our law firm often works with medical experts and life care planners to understand the long-term effects and costs of spinal injuries.
Our law firm takes pride in handling every case with the same level of care, big or small. Using aggressive negotiation tactics, we regularly achieve settlements over 10 times the initial insurance offers. We are trial-prepared and ready to represent you in a courtroom in Fresno County to get the justice you deserve, if necessary.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in California?
According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, a personal injury action must be brought within two years of the incident or of injury discovery. This is known as the statute of limitations. With only a few exceptions, if a spinal cord injury claim is brought too late, the legal action will be “time-barred,” or not allowed to proceed.
Can Family Members File a Claim if the Victim Cannot?
Yes. In most spinal cord injury cases, family members or legal representatives are able to file on behalf of a victim who cannot do so himself/herself. Incapacitation due to a severe spinal cord injury can allow a family member to file a claim in the victim’s name. If an individual dies due to complications arising from a spinal cord injury, surviving family members can also file a wrongful death claim with our Fresno wrongful death attorneys for their own losses.
Your Path Forward After a Devastating Spinal Cord Injury | Contact Jacoby & Meyers in Fresno for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury in a recent accident in Fresno, get help from the attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers. We will be on your side during every phase of the recovery process, from setting you up with the right doctors to aggressively negotiating a settlement on your behalf. We do what we do because we believe everyone deserves justice. Call (559) 545-0730 today or send us a message for your free case consultation in Fresno.
Our Fresno Office
Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers – Fresno
516 W Shaw Ave #200,
Fresno, CA 93704