Spinal Cord Injury

Strong advocacy when negligence leads to spinal cord damage and paralysis

At Philbrook Law, our seasoned Vancouver, WA spinal cord injury lawyers have been fighting for personal injury victims for nearly 20 years. We’ve helped thousands of clients obtain strong settlements and verdicts. We’ve achieved this remarkable success through our thorough preparation of your case, our work to file claims against all responsible defendants, and our work with your medical team to fully understand your medical needs. We’ll work aggressively to help you or your loved one.

What types of accidents cause spinal cord injuries?

Spinal cord damage affects the back, neck, ribs, nerves, and spine itself. Spinal cord damage is caused by various types of accidents including:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Accidents at construction sites
• Accidents at industrial sites or any type of workplace
• Sports accidents
• Acts of violence, such as violence due to negligent security at a property

Did you know? 40%

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center at UAB, nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries are due to vehicle crashes and 32% are due to falls.

What types of paralysis may occur due to a severe spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury can cause full or partial paralysis. The types of paralysis caused by an SCI are:

• Monoplegia. This form of paralysis affects one area of the body.
• Hemiplegia. This is paralysis of one half of the body.
• Paraplegia. This is paralysis from the chest and waist down.
• Tetraplegia/Quadriplegia. This is paralysis that affects the cervical spinal cord or the first thoracic vertebrae.

How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?

A spinal cord injury is usually diagnosed through:

• X-Rays. X-Rays can show vertebral problems, fractures, degenerative changes, and tumors.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans.A CT scan forms cross-sectional computer images which can show disk, bone, and other problems.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests.An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images to show herniated disks, blood clots, and other spinal cord disorders.

Neurologists usually conduct a full neurological exam which includes testing muscle strength, your ability to sense light touch, and pinprick sensations.

How are spinal cord injuries treated?

Spinal cord damage can’t be reversed. However, there are treatments that can help improve function of the nerves and manage pain.

Spinal cord treatments, in addition to appropriate medications, include:

• Emergency surgeries to prevent shock, keep you breathing, and avoid complications “such as stool or urine retention, respiratory or cardiovascular difficulty, and formation of deep vein blood clots in the extremities.”
• Initial surgeries may be performed by neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and spinal cord medicine specialists.
• Traction may be needed to stabilize the spine.
• “Often surgery is necessary to remove fragments of bones, foreign objects, herniated disks or fractured vertebrae that appear to be compressing the spine. Surgery may also be needed to stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformity.”

After the initial care, physicians work to prevent subsequent problems such as muscle contractures, pressure ulcers, respiratory infections, and other problems. Other complications can include:

• Loss of bladder control
• Loss of bowel control
• Sexual difficulties

• Pain
• Circulatory problems
• Loss of skin sensation, making victims more susceptible to pressure sores and other complications

Rehabilitative care includes working with a team of people including:

• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Rehabilitation nurses
• Rehabilitation psychologists

• Nutritionists
• Recreational therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Social workers

Initial rehab care includes strengthening muscles, refining fine motor skills, and learning to work with new adaptive devices.

What new technologies are being used for spinal cord injuries?

Don’t give up hope. There are continuing discoveries about SCI being made. Some of the newer technologies that are helping spinal cord injury accident victims include:

• Spinal cord stimulators and electronic stimulation devices
• More mobile and comfortable wheelchairs including electric wheelchairs
• Computer adaptive devices

• Voice-activated devices
• Robotic gait training

Most patients have their most significant recovery during the first six months after the accident.

What damages can be awarded in a spinal cord injury case?

Our Vancouver, WA personal injury lawyers work with your medical team, and independent doctors if needed, to fully understand your medical situation. This includes your long-term medical needs once your situation has stabilized. Many SCI accident victims require a lifetime of medical care.

Damages can include:

• Medical expenses for physical injuries. These are the amounts necessary to pay for surgeries, doctor visits, therapy, medications, and adaptive devices.
• Medical bills for emotional injuries. Many SCI victims need to treat with psychiatrists and psychologists because a spinal cord injury causes depression, anxiety, and fear.
• Lost income. Many spinal cord injury victims can’t work again. If they can, it’s often a lower paying job because they can’t work as hard. Lost income includes all your current income losses and all future income loss due to the accident.
• Pain and suffering. This includes loss of function, loss of life’s pleasures, your daily aches and pain, your anxiety, and other intangible losses.
• Loss of consortium. This sum is to compensate you because you can’t be intimate with your spouse or domestic partner.
• Any property damages. A common example is the cost to fix or replace your car.

In appropriate cases, we also demand payment of punitive damages – such as when a drunk driver caused your spinal cord injuries.

Seek assistance from a spinal cord injury lawyer you can trust

Please know that if you suffer a spinal cord injury for any reason, you do not need to suffer in silence. At Philbrook Law, we have a strong track record of success fighting for accident victims who have suffered a spinal cord injury. To schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Vancouver or Portland, OR, please call or complete our contact form. We also serve the greater Portland area and Oregon State. We represent spinal cord injury victims on a contingency fee basis. We can see you in your home if you’re not mobile.

Rated 5 Stars by Our Clients

Read firsthand accounts from the clients our personal injury attorneys have represented in complex personal injury claims.

“You will not be disappointed. After my first meeting with Matthew I felt confident they were the team for my case. Tiffany provided great communication and assistance during the info gathering phase and also throughout the settlement phase. Thank you so much for going the extra mile.”

“They were able to find his insurance. I highly recommend hiring Matt and Tiffany. They took all of the insurance stress off my shoulders so I could concentrate on helping my son who had many broken bones and surgeries.”

“I reached out to them and within minutes, we had a great conversation. You can tell how much they care about their clients. They also went above and beyond to get the best results for my situation. Would highly recommend. You won't find anyone better!”

“Amanda especially was such a huge help. They handled two back-to-back car accident settlements for me, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The entire team was professional, responsive, and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate their hard work and highly recommend them!”

“Not our fault! The other driver turned left in front of as after he was waved on by another driver. We both had minor to moderate injuries. Our Ford F150 Lightning became undriveable. We went to urgent care! One year later, we were having difficulty in reaching a settlement with the other drivers insurance company after they gave us a low offer. We felt we needed legal advice or assistance. We met with Tiffany Henson, who reviewed our case. She gave us the advice we needed to negotiate with the other insurance, rather than try to take it to court. Tiffany offered to review our letter and gave us further advise. After the insurance company reviewed our letter and statements they doubled the settlement amount and made all of the stipulations we had requested! We can not thank Tiffany enough for her caring personable attitude toward us. Her advise was right on and saved us from more anxiety and stress. If you have an injury accident do not hesitate to contact Philbrook attorneys. They will treat you right.”

“That’s how great these people are. Driving home one night in my shiny new car I was suddenly sandwiched inbetween 2 much larger vehicles. The damage didn’t seem like much at first, but ended up being four years of treatment & life long conservative care. I wasn’t a case that was easy to get treatment for and I felt very lost before I was recommended the Philbrook law team. I actually fired an attorney who had left me with more questions than answers and hired this office. It was the best choice I could have made for myself. They stood by me every step of the way. Thousands of questions and appointments all the way to discovery and settlements. I have recommended them to hundreds of people and will continue to at any given chance. Not once in 4 years did I question if I was in good hands. They really go above and beyond for their clients and I can’t thank them enough. I truly miss hearing from them. I’m sure not everyone can say that about their attorneys. Give them a call, you won’t regret it.”

“I had never needed to hire a lawyer for anything so I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous. Matt and his team were awesome. They helped me throughout the whole process with every question and concern. They were timely, knowledgeable, patient and courteous. I appreciate the hard work everyone contributed to my case and getting me a fair settlement.”

“They did everything to get what I deserved, They work for the best of my interest, and I really have the best experience with her, everyone in there is very polite and respectful. I hope that I will never have the need to hired them again but if I have to I will. If you're reading this review and you're looking a lawyer to represent you in a car accident matter, then don't look any further, they are the best.”

“My recovery treatment took well over a year and took up a lot of time outside of other life stuff. Once they took over my case, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and they took on all the burden from there on out. My insurance tried to settle for an absurdly low offer and Philbrook law got a settlement beyond my imagination. And they made it so quick and easy. I would recommend Philbrook law to anyone needing an accident lawyer. They were so efficient and stayed in touch through the whole process. Their whole team works hard to ensure people get the justice they deserve. Couldn't be happy with my settlement outcome!”

“It was very thoughtful, kind and helpful to have good advice, especially after asking another local firm and them not knowing what to do! I will definitely use this law firm in the future. Thank you!”

~ D. Pierce

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