West Palm Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

We represent spinal cord injury victims hurt through no fault of their own. We handle cases involving:

• Vehicle crashes: Truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and car accidents causing severe spinal trauma
• Falls and unsafe property: Spinal injuries from slip-and-falls, construction site accidents, and premises liability incidents
• Medical negligence: Surgical errors, delayed diagnoses, and procedural mistakes damaging the spine
• Boating, sports, and recreation: Diving accidents, jet ski collisions, football injuries, and other high-impact incidents that can cause spinal injuries
• Negligent security and violent crime: Spinal injuries resulting from inadequate security at businesses or apartment complexes

Whether your injury occurred in downtown West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, or anywhere in Palm Beach County, our team is ready to help. Don’t wait. Florida’s statute of limitations gives you just two years from your injury date to file. Call, chat, text, or fill out our contact form now for immediate assistance.

The human back is an intricate structure of muscle, bone, and other tissue that begins at the neck and ends at the tailbone. In the center of the back is the spinal cord, which consists of billions of nerves, nervous tissue, and support cells. The spinal cord is encased by the bones of the spine, which are known as vertebrae. In between each vertebra, there are shock-absorbing discs that help cushion and protect the spinal cord.

The nerves and associated nervous tissue in the spinal cord connect nearly all parts of the body to the brain. This connection allows the brain to send important signals to the body, and vice versa. These important signals are the reason we are able to walk, talk, regulate our body temperature, and know when it is time to eat.

Because the spinal cord is the main pathway for all bodily communication, injuries to the spinal cord can have a devastating impact on a victim’s ability to live a normal life. There are several types of spinal cord injuries, and these injuries can be separated into two distinct categories: acute injuries and overuse injuries.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries occur suddenly and are often attributed to car crashes, sports accidents, or a slip and fall incident. With an acute injury, pain is usually instantaneous and debilitating. Examples of this type of spinal cord injury include:

• Sprains and Strains. Injury to the muscles or tendons in the back or neck is considered a strain. Strains happen when the muscles or tendons are twisted or pulled. A sprain occurs when an individual stretches or tears a ligament.
• Spinal Fractures and Dislocations. Spinal fractures occur when too much pressure is placed on a vertebra, causing it to crack. Spinal dislocations happen when ligaments that connect the vertebrae are torn or stretched. If a vertebra is broken and the ligaments are also torn, this type of injury is considered a spinal fracture-dislocation.
• Torn or Ruptured Discs. If a vertebral disc is torn, a portion of the disc can protrude and put an immense amount of pressure on the surrounding nerves. Should the disc rupture, it can cause spinal cord compression, numbness of the extremities, and extreme pain. However, it is possible for victims to suffer a disc rupture and not experience any kind of discomfort or pain.

Overuse Injuries

These types of spinal cord injuries occur when a person performs common, everyday activities on a repetitive basis. These injuries often appear gradually and cause the victim to suffer limited mobility. Certain work-related activities can cause overuse spinal cord injuries.
Common signs of overuse spinal cord injuries include:

• Muscle spasms. Spasms occur when a muscle is suddenly and involuntarily contracted. This abrupt tightening of a muscle is often painful and can prevent a person from carrying out normal, everyday duties.
• Pain and stiffness. Muscle fibers that do not relax after being tightened can lead to muscle stiffness. While most muscle stiffness is temporary, stiffness as a result of repetitive overuse can last for several weeks, months, or years. Pain, weakness, and limited mobility almost always accompany muscle stiffness.

The West Palm Beach spinal cord injury lawyers at Gordon & Partners are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the different types of spinal cord injuries or any type of personal injury lawsuit. We are also available to help determine if your injury requires the assistance of a spinal cord injury lawyer.

Depending on the specifics of your situation, we may be able to investigate every angle of your claim to establish who was responsible and why. Our approach may include:

• Developing liability theories tailored to your case
• Comprehensive evidence gathering
• Expert witness collaboration from day one
• Trial preparation from the start

By preparing for trial immediately, we signal to insurance companies that we’re serious.

Each spinal cord injury case is different, encompassing a variety of unique factors. That’s why the answer to this question is never an easy and clear one. In Florida, victims of all sorts of injuries (including spinal cord injuries) may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages. The value of a spinal cord injury lawsuit is given by the total value of the victim’s damages.

When it comes to damages, those that should definitely be considered when a spine injury settlement is calculated are the following:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses: For personal injury settlements, medical expenses should always be a prime determining factor for the total value of that particular settlement. Compensation for an injury should cover their medical bills. And not just present bills, relating to ongoing treatments, future medical bills should be covered as well. That’s because spine injuries often require prolonged medical care.
• Rehabilitation treatments: A spinal injury may take years to heal and the victim may require prolonged therapy until they regain complete mobility. Expenses falling into this category should be covered by the final compensation.
• Loss of income: Injuries to the spine may prevent a person from earning. So, if they won’t be able to work for a determined period of time, naturally, compensation should cover the lost wages while recuperating from the injury.
• Loss of earning capacity: It is pretty clear that a spine injury can leave a victim disabled for life. This can affect their earning capacity; they may not be able to work again, or they may only be able to resume their activity up to a certain extent. It goes without saying that loss of earning capacity should be compensated as well.

Non-economic Damages

All the damages that we’ve covered above fall into the category of “economic damages”. That’s because they’re easily calculated. However, there are also “non-economic” damages that can be compensated. These are:

• Pain and suffering: The spinal cord consists of multiple bundles of nerves. Thus, an injury can lead to chronic pain in different parts of the body or paralysis. Suffering related to such an injury must be compensated.
• Decreased quality of life: Evidently, a spinal cord injury with long or permanent consequences will take a significant toll on the injured’s life. They may not be able to enjoy their favorite activities, spend time with their children, etc.
• Loss of consortium: Finally, an injury to the spinal cord can have a serious impact on a relationship. The injured family member can sue for damages of this sort. Also, a child can sue if a parent is injured and sustains a disability (spinal cord damage or not), under Florida Statute §768.0415.

The SSA Blue Book lists spinal cord injuries within Section 11.08, which concerns “Disorders of the Spine.” To be eligible for disability benefits according to this listing, you must provide medical documentation of spinal cord damage. Additionally, you must establish that your injury has led to nerve root compression, resulting in symptoms such as pain, weakness, and an impaired ability to walk effectively. Substantiating this will require medical imaging, statements from a medical professional, and a comprehensive record of surgeries and other medical treatments.

If you can’t qualify under the Section 11.08 listing, you may still be able to qualify under any of the subsections of the listing 11.00-Neurological Disorders.
Moreover, if you do not meet any of the requirements in the Blue Book listing, you may still be eligible for medical vocational allowance.

In summary, obtaining a diagnosis for your injury doesn’t automatically ensure you’ll qualify for benefits. Therefore, when submitting your case to Disability Determination Services, it’s crucial to be exceptionally organized and comprehensive. It’s advisable to consider enlisting the assistance of a spinal cord injury attorney for your application. At Gordon & Partners, we possess the knowledge to guide you on the necessary information and how to obtain it. We will fight for your rights to your disability benefits so that you can focus on getting your life back on track.

Two-year filing deadline: For claims arising after March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations requires you to file your negligence lawsuit within two years of the injury date. Limited exceptions exist, but delays can cost you your right to compensation.

Modified comparative negligence (51% bar): In Florida, you can recover damages even if you share some fault, as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Your damages are reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.

1. Free Case Review (24/7)
Contact us by phone, chat, text, or online form. We’ll gather basic facts, answer your immediate questions, and schedule an in-depth consultation all at no cost and with no obligation.

2. Case Build: Evidence & Experts
We may immediately begin collecting medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and scene documentation. Simultaneously, we may engage medical experts, life care planners, and economists to help build a complete picture of your damages.

3. Demand & Negotiation
Armed with expert reports and comprehensive evidence, we may present a detailed demand to the insurance company and negotiate for a settlement that reflects the full value of your claim.

4. Trial-Ready Posture
If the insurer refuses a fair offer, we’re prepared to litigate. Our in-house trial team has extensive experience in Palm Beach County courts, and because we may begin building a trial-ready case from day one, we’ll be ready.

5. Resolution
Whether through Settlement, Verdict, or Award, we fight until you may receive maximum compensation. We don’t collect a fee until we win.

• Proven results: Over $1 Billion recovered for Florida injury victims, with a strong track record in catastrophic spinal cord injury cases
• Specialized resources: Access to top neurologists, spinal surgeons, life care planners, economists, and vocational rehabilitation experts.
• Responsive communication: An attorney may call back within 2 hours of your initial inquiry; we’re also available 24/7 by phone, chat, and text
• Bilingual support: Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff to serve West Palm Beach’s diverse community
• Local presence with statewide reach: Offices in Palm Beach County, hospital and home visit capability, and investigative networks across Florida

How long do these cases take?
Most spinal cord injury cases resolve within 6 to 18 months from the initial filing, though complex cases involving multiple defendants or disputed liability may take longer.

What if I’m more than 50% at fault?
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, you cannot recover damages if you’re 51% or more responsible for the accident. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Will I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. The majority of spinal cord injury claims settle through negotiation without a trial. However, our trial-ready approach from day one means we’re prepared to litigate if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement.

If you believe you have sustained a spinal cord injury, be it from a car accident, work responsibilities, or a slip and fall, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The longer you wait to see a physician, the greater the chances are that your injury will worsen.

After receiving medical care, contact a West Palm Beach spinal cord injury attorney at Gordon & Partners to learn how we can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve for your spinal injuries.

An accident-related injury can quickly bring unwanted chaos into your life. Rather than worry about how you will be able to afford the expenses incurred from your spinal cord injury, you should be focusing on recuperating and getting your life back. CHAT LIVE with a spinal cord injury lawyer at Gordon & Partners Law Firm today, or call us at (855) 921-4017!