Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Physical damage to the spine represents some of the most life-altering health challenges a person can experience. These conditions often strip away a victim’s independence, impacting their ability to walk, eat, or manage basic daily hygiene without help. Recovering from such trauma typically involves years of intense rehabilitation and a significant time commitment to medical therapy.

If you or a family member are dealing with the aftermath of a spine injury, you might have a legal right to seek financial recovery. The Quinn Law Group provides the advocacy necessary to look after your interests while you focus on your health. Sean Quinn has over 20 years of trial and litigation experience, and he can assist you in looking into the legal options available to your family. Call (215) 360-3666 to speak with our Philadelphia office about your situation.

Most Common Reasons for Spinal Cord Injuries

Spine trauma can happen in a wide variety of ways, depending on the forces involved. Some of the most frequent causes we see in Pennsylvania and New Jersey include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents Car crashes remain a top reason for spinal damage even though vehicle safety technology has improved significantly. The problem is that many safety features, like standard seat belts, are not always built to keep the spine perfectly still during a high-impact collision. When a car hits an object, the lap belt might hold the lower body in place while the chest and neck fly forward, creating a snapping motion that often leads to vertebral fractures or permanent nerve damage.
• Falls Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe, but slip and fall incidents continue to be a major source of back injuries. When a person slips on a wet floor or trips over an uneven sidewalk, they often land directly on their tailbone or back, sending a shockwave through the spinal column. For individuals over the age of 65, falling is actually the primary cause of spinal trauma, accounting for nearly one-third of all such injuries across the country.
• Sports and Athletic Activities High-impact sports carry a heightened risk of physical harm due to the nature of the competition. Contact sports like football, hockey, or boxing involve repeated collisions that can eventually wear down the spine or cause an acute, catastrophic break. Roughly 10% of all spinal cord injuries reported are linked to recreational or professional athletic pursuits.

Regardless of how your injury started, the Quinn Law Group is prepared to investigate the facts. If another party acted without care, you deserve a legal team that will push for a fair outcome through direct talks or by taking the matter to a jury.

Categorizing Different Spinal Injuries

Medical experts typically classify spine damage based on where the trauma occurred and how much function remains. This is often described as the “completeness” of the injury, which tells us a lot about the long-term outlook for the survivor.

• Complete. This occurs when a person experiences a total loss of feeling and can no longer control any muscle movements below the specific point of the injury.
• Incomplete. If a victim retains some level of sensation or can still move certain muscles below the site of the trauma, the injury is labeled as incomplete. The range of function can vary wildly from one person to another in these cases.

Paralysis is also identified by which limbs are affected by the damage:

• Tetraplegia. Also referred to as quadriplegia, this condition impacts the arms, hands, legs, and pelvic organs, as well as the torso.
• Paraplegia. This specifically affects the lower half of the body, including the legs and pelvic region, while the victim usually retains full use of their arms.

The Quinn Law Group has secured millions of dollars for clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including multi-million dollar results like $4.25 million and $2.4 million recoveries. We understand the technical details of these classifications and how to present them in a court of law.

Identifying Symptoms of a Spinal Injury

Recognizing the early warning signs of a back injury is vital because moving someone with an undiagnosed fracture can lead to permanent paralysis. While every case looks different, there are several red flags that suggest the spinal cord has been impacted:

• Inability to move limbs
• Sudden loss of bowel or bladder function
• Sharp, shooting pain moving down the legs or arms
• Great difficulty drawing a breath
• Significant numbness or tingling in the extremities

In more alarming situations, a person might experience:

• Unbearable pressure in the head or neck
• Obvious paralysis
• A visible twist or odd positioning of the spine
• Blinding headaches

If you are experiencing any of these issues after an accident, you must see a doctor immediately to prevent further damage. Once you are safe, reaching out to a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer is the next step to ensuring those at fault are held responsible for your medical costs.

Time Constraints for Filing a Lawsuit

You do not have an unlimited amount of time to seek a recovery for your injuries. The law sets a strict deadline known as the statute of limitations, and if you let this date pass, you lose the right to sue forever.

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to start your legal claim. This means if your injury happened on March 10, 2024, you must have your paperwork filed with the court by March 10, 2026. Because gathering evidence and hiring medical experts takes time, it is best to start the process as soon as possible.

What Financial Recovery is Available?

Victims of spine trauma often face millions of dollars in lifetime costs. There are three primary categories of “damages” that we pursue on behalf of our clients to help cover these burdens:

• Economic Damages These are the measurable, out-of-pocket losses that can be proven with receipts and invoices. This includes your hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and the wages you lose because you can no longer go to work. We also look at future lost earning capacity and property damage.
• Non-Economic Damages These losses are more personal and subjective, as they do not come with a price tag attached. This covers your physical pain, the emotional trauma of living with a disability, and the loss of the ability to enjoy hobbies or spend time with your family like you used to.
• Punitive Damages While rare, these are awarded in cases where the person at fault acted with extreme recklessness or intentional malice. These are not meant to pay you back for a bill, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and warn others against similar behavior.

How Quinn Law Group Can Help

Experiencing a catastrophic injury is a heavy burden for any family to carry. At the Quinn Law Group, we offer a client-focused approach with personalized attention, limiting our caseload so that your story gets the focus it deserves. Sean Quinn is recognized by Super Lawyers and holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, reflecting a commitment to professional excellence and client satisfaction.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means we pay for all the investigators, experts, and filing fees upfront. You do not owe us any legal fees unless we successfully win your case. We are dedicated to aggressive advocacy and strong case strategies to ensure you get the best possible result. Call us today at (215) 360-3666 for a consultation about your spine injury claim.

Testimonials

More testimonials