Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can alter every aspect of a person’s life, leading to permanent disability, chronic pain, and overwhelming medical expenses. At The Henry Law Firm, we understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll spinal cord injuries take on victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to another’s negligence, our experienced personal injury attorneys in Cleveland are here to help. We’ll leave no stone unturned to prove the defendant’s liability and recover the highest possible compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most serious and life-altering types of trauma a person can experience. It occurs when a sudden, forceful impact, penetration, or compression damages the spinal cord or surrounding vertebrae, thereby disrupting the communication between the brain and the body.

The spinal cord serves as a critical relay system, transmitting nerve signals that are responsible for movement, sensation, and autonomic functions, such as breathing, digestion, and bladder control. When that pathway is compromised, the consequences can be profound, ranging from numbness or weakness to full paralysis.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on two major factors: the location of the injury along the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions) and whether the injury is complete or incomplete.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete SCI

A complete spinal cord injury results in the total loss of motor function and sensation below the site of the injury. This typically means that no signals can travel past the injury site, leading to conditions such as paraplegia (paralysis of the lower limbs) or quadriplegia/tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).

Incomplete SCI

In contrast, an incomplete SCI means that some motor or sensory function remains below the level of the injury. Outcomes can vary widely. Some individuals may retain the ability to move or feel parts of their body, and targeted rehabilitation may improve function over time.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries 

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls (particularly among older adults)
• Acts of violence
• Sports and recreational accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Medical malpractice

Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

Physical and Psychological Impact

Injured victims may experience:

• Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
• Loss of bladder/bowel control
• Chronic pain or neuropathy
• Depression, anxiety, and PTSD

Financial Burdens

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime costs for SCI victims range from $1.2 million to $5.4 million or more, depending on severity and age at the time of injury. Costs include:

• Emergency and ongoing medical care
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Home modifications and assistive devices
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity

How Our Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Can Help

Comprehensive Case Evaluation

Our lawyers will begin by reviewing all relevant facts, medical records, and witness accounts to understand the full scope of the injury and identify liable parties. We will provide you with dedicated legal advice for spinal injuries and develop a case strategy tailored to your personal goals and needs.

Working With Medical Experts

Our Cleveland personal injury law firm may partner with neurosurgeons, spinal cord specialists, and rehabilitation experts to:

• Document injury severity
• Assess prognosis and long-term needs
• Calculate the cost of future care and lost earnings

Preserving and Presenting Evidence

Our legal team will act fast to collect and preserve:

• Accident scene evidence
• Surveillance footage
• Medical imaging and expert reports
• Employer safety records (for workplace accidents)

Aggressive Negotiations and Litigation

We negotiate assertively with insurers and defendants. If fair compensation isn’t offered, we’re prepared to go to trial and present your case to a jury. Our proactive trial preparation and aggressive negotiations often give us the leverage to achieve more favorable settlements for our clients.

Handling Insurance Companies

Insurers in Cleveland may attempt to downplay your injuries or shift blame. Our spinal cord injury attorneys are well-versed with these tactics and will counter them with strong evidence and experienced legal advocacy. Once the insurance company recognizes we won’t back down against pressure, they’re usually more willing to settle fairly.

Common Defendants in Cleveland SCI Cases

Motorists and Commercial Drivers

Negligent drivers who cause auto, truck, or motorcycle crashes due to distracted driving, speeding, or drunk driving may be liable for SCI-related damages.

Employers and Third Parties

In workplace-related SCI cases, employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers can be held accountable if safety violations or product defects are involved.

Property Owners

Under Ohio premises liability laws, property owners and managers who fail to maintain safe conditions may be liable for spinal cord injuries from slips, trips, or falls.

Medical Providers

When a spinal cord injury results from surgical errors, birth injuries, or delayed diagnoses, healthcare professionals and hospitals may be held accountable under Ohio medical malpractice laws.

Building a Strong Spinal Cord Injury Case in Cleveland

Importance of Medical Documentation

Medical records, diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT scans), and physician reports are critical in proving:

• The severity of the SCI
• Ongoing treatment needs
• Causal connection between the injury and the defendant’s actions

Vocational and Life Care Planning

Experts may create a life care plan to estimate the full cost of:

• Attendant care
• Adaptive equipment
• Home health aides
• Future surgeries or hospitalizations

Vocational experts assess the plaintiff’s ability to return to work and the impact on lifetime earnings.

Day-in-the-Life Videos and Testimony

These tools humanize the injury, showing the daily struggles of SCI victims and highlighting the lifelong impact on mobility, independence, and family relationships.

How Our Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Will Prove the Full Extent of Your Losses

Medical Records 

To build a strong spinal cord injury case, our legal team at The Henry Law Firm compiles comprehensive medical documentation that illustrates the full extent of your injury and its effects on your life. This includes hospital admission records, surgical and rehabilitation reports, neurological assessments, and advanced imaging studies such as MRIs and CT scans.

Medical Expert Testimony

We may collaborate with spinal cord specialists, neurosurgeons, and rehabilitation professionals to provide testimony on prognosis and required ongoing treatment. Life care planners and economists can also project long-term medical needs, assistive device costs, home modifications, and loss of future income, which can be vital for securing full compensation.

Vocational Experts

If your spinal injury restricts your ability to perform your previous job (or any job), we may bring in vocational experts. These professionals assess your work history, transferable skills, educational background, and physical limitations to determine your post-injury earning capacity. They can also evaluate whether retraining or alternative employment is feasible, and what that would entail financially and practically.

Psychological and Emotional Harm

Spinal cord injuries can also result in emotional and psychological damage. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain are all common among SCI survivors. We ensure these emotional injuries are identified by mental health professionals and fully documented, so they’re appropriately accounted for in your claim.

Legal Experience Matters in SCI Claims in Cleveland, OH

Spinal cord injury cases are among the most medically and legally complex personal injury claims. At The Henry Law Firm, we bring decades of experience handling catastrophic injury cases in Cleveland. We know how to:

• Collect compelling evidence
• Assemble the right team of experts
• Quantify the lifetime costs of SCI
• Challenge the lowball offers of the insurer
• Present strong arguments during settlement negotiations
• Fight the case in court, if necessary

Our Cleveland injury lawyers are relentless advocates for spinal cord injury victims. Let us fight for the financial security and justice you’re owed. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 440-291-0937 or contact us online.