Spine Injury Lawyers in Encino, CA

Working to Help Our Clients Get Every Penny They Deserve

Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating types of physical injuries, often leading to paralysis. These injuries are termed “catastrophic” due to their profound and long-lasting effects on victims. Spinal cord injuries often fall into this category. If you or a loved one have suffered such bodily damage, there’s likely a long road to recovery ahead. Sadly, some people are never able to fully return to normal. This is why it’s so important for you to have an advocate on your side. A spine injury lawyer in Encino, CA, can assist.

At V&A Law Firm, our California personal injury attorneys are committed to fighting for victims’ rights. You need to understand all your legal options and the best approach for your unique circumstances. After reviewing a potential claim, we initiate the process with settlement negotiations with the insurance company of the negligent party. If these negotiations aren’t fruitful, we can file a personal injury lawsuit to help our clients get every penny they deserve.

When Is Compensation Available for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries are among the costliest medical conditions that a person could experience. In fact, the average lifetime cost of certain injuries exceeds $4.7 million. As such, it’s important to understand when you may be entitled to compensation. A spinal cord injury attorney can review the specifics of your case, but in general, the following three elements must be proven for a person to secure financial recovery:

Duty of care: Nearly everyone has a duty of care to avoid actions that could cause harm to others.
Violation of duty: When someone violates a duty of care — such as by driving distracted or negligent medical care — they may cause harm.
Harm or damages: When a violation of a duty of care leads to harm (e.g., spine injuries), the violator may be held financially responsible.

An important thing to remember is that these elements only need to be proven if your case goes to court. This is often avoidable through settlement negotiations. It is not rare to encounter issues with an insurance claim if you partially contributed to your own accident. Even in such a case, though, you may still be entitled to compensation since California is a pure comparative negligence state.

Put simply, the knowledge and experience provided by a spine injury lawyer in Encino, CA, can prove invaluable to your case.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

As described above, the personal injury process can be complicated. It’s necessary to show the underlying cause of an incident in addition to fault on the part of the negligent party. It may be difficult to identify all liable parties in some spinal cord injury cases. For instance, it may not just be the criminal who’s responsible when an injury is suffered through violence. A property owner may also be at fault for not providing adequate security.

Spinal cord injuries are often very high value, as the victim may face a lifetime of challenges, physical, emotional, and personal. The process starts with identifying the primary cause of the injury. Here are some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries:

Car accidents: Spine injuries frequently result from the high-impact forces in car accidents, such as rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, or rollovers. These accidents can cause whiplash, herniated discs, fractures, and severe trauma to the spinal cord due to abrupt movements and blunt force trauma from direct collisions or being ejected from the vehicle.
Defective products: Faulty products like malfunctioning seat belts, airbags, or poorly designed chairs can directly or indirectly lead to spine injuries. Defective safety gear, exercise equipment, or vehicle components failing during critical moments increase the risk of spinal fractures, herniated discs, or paralysis due to unexpected accidents or insufficient protection.
Falls: Falls, especially from significant heights or slippery surfaces, commonly lead to spine injuries. Older adults and construction workers face heightened risk. The impact from landing improperly can fracture vertebrae, injure discs, and severely damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in lifelong disabilities or chronic pain.
Acts of violence: Assaults, gunshot wounds, stabbings, and intentional harm can directly damage the spinal cord or vertebrae. Violent acts, such as physical attacks or shootings, may result in immediate paralysis, nerve damage, or chronic pain, significantly impacting victims’ physical abilities and quality of life.
Recreation and sports activities: Activities like football, skiing, gymnastics, or horseback riding pose substantial risks due to the potential for hard falls, collisions, or improper landings. Injuries often include spinal cord trauma, vertebral fractures, and nerve damage, which can severely limit mobility and function, requiring long-term rehabilitation.
Diving accidents: Diving into shallow water or misjudging depth can cause severe spine injuries, including cervical fractures or spinal cord compression. The force of impact upon hitting the bottom or underwater objects can result in immediate paralysis, quadriplegia, or permanent impairment, drastically altering victims’ lives.
Work-related injuries: Certain industries like construction, manufacturing, or warehousing pose significant risks of spine injuries due to lifting heavy objects, falls from heights, or repetitive strain. Injuries may involve disc herniation, chronic back pain, or spinal fractures, potentially leading to extensive recovery periods or permanent disability.
Medical conditions and diseases: Degenerative conditions, infections, or diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, or spinal tumors can weaken spinal structures, leading to fractures or chronic pain. Progressive conditions often cause long-term disability, reduced mobility and requires ongoing medical treatment and specialized care to manage symptoms effectively.

Any of these issues can result in lifelong injuries. The legal approach will vary for each incident. For instance, a serious workplace injury may involve seeking fair workers’ compensation benefits. Some work-related injury accidents allow for a third-party claim to be brought against a negligent subcontractor, utility, or other party. Spinal cord injury cases can be complicated legal matters that can be more favorably resolved with an experienced attorney on your side.

Contact our Encino spine injury lawyers today for assistance.

Types of Spine Injuries

Encino residents experience a range of spinal issues, each requiring targeted medical intervention.

Herniated Disc: Occurs when the soft interior of a disc pushes through its outer ring, often pinching nerves and causing sharp pain or numbness.
Vertebral Fracture: A break in a spinal bone due to sudden impact or stress, potentially leading to severe mobility limitations and lifelong complications.
Spinal Cord Contusion: Involves bruising to the spinal cord, with symptoms ranging from temporary numbness to lasting paralysis, depending on the severity.
Nerve Root Compression: This happens when bony structures or swollen tissue press on the nerves, triggering radiating pain and reduced muscle strength.
Facet Joint Dislocation: These stabilizing joints can shift or move out of alignment, often resulting in persistent discomfort and restricted movement.

Immediate Steps After Sustaining a Spine Injury

Timely and careful action following a possible spinal injury can prevent complications.

Avoid Movement: Shifting positions without medical advice may worsen an injury and increase pain or paralysis risk.
Protect the Spine: Paramedics often secure the neck and back to maintain alignment until proper imaging is done.
Call Emergency Services: Prompt professional evaluation is essential to address potential internal bleeding or vertebral damage.
Gather Information: Photos, witness details, and any pertinent accident scene information can prove valuable for insurance or legal procedures.

Long-Term Effects of Spine Injuries

Extensive rehabilitation, physical therapy, or repeated surgeries are common for serious spinal conditions. Chronic pain can persist even after treatment, limiting everyday activities and affecting employment. Psychological burdens, such as depression or anxiety, may arise from coping with ongoing discomfort or altered mobility. Many individuals also grapple with mounting medical bills, further complicating recovery and necessitating strong legal advocacy to secure a just financial settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Injuries

What is considered a serious spine injury?

A serious spine injury typically involves permanent damage to the vertebrae or spinal cord, resulting in chronic pain or lasting neurological deficits such as paralysis.

How long does a spine injury lawsuit typically take?

Timelines differ based on the injury’s severity, the defendant’s willingness to settle, and whether complex evidence requires multiple expert evaluations or court appearances.

Can I still file a claim if I had previous back problems?

Yes. You may still receive compensation if you show that the incident in question aggravated or significantly contributed to your existing condition, backed by solid medical proof.

What if my spine injury symptoms appear late?

Document every new sign or symptom with a physician. Delayed-onset issues are not uncommon, and complete records demonstrate that the event caused or intensified these problems.

Are spine injury settlements taxable?

Generally, settlement portions covering physical injuries are not taxed. Funds allocated to lost wages, punitive damages, or interest might be subject to taxation.

Spine injury cases demand serious attention, but reliable lawyers in Encino can ease the legal burden and provide valuable assistance as individuals focus on healing and regaining independence.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

Spinal cord injuries are often catastrophic. Because of this, you may wonder whether you need an attorney for your case. After all, won’t the insurer understand the severity of your injury? And if your personal injury claim goes to court, won’t the facts be clear to the jury? Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out how one might hope. For instance, it’s fairly easy to predict that insurers will try to pay out as little as possible.

If you accept an unfair settlement — even if it seems appropriate at the time — you could end up facing years of medical bills and lost wages on your own. An experienced attorney will understand the long-term costs of your injury and be better prepared to negotiate a fair settlement. Additionally, a legal professional can investigate the facts of your case and even help establish that compensation for things like chronic pain, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages is warranted.

Put simply, working with a spinal injury lawyer in Encino CA allows you to ensure that every form of compensation you are entitled to is pursued. Our law firm offers a free case evaluation; you have nothing to lose by reaching out today.

Contact a Spine Injury Lawyer in Encino, California Today

Damage to the spine is one of the most serious injuries a person could sustain, and even with advances in medical science, it is rarely reversible. Victims could face a lifetime of medical expenses, an inability to work, or may need a wheelchair or other medical support for the remainder of their lives. With such devastating potential outcomes, it’s vital for you to seek legal help in the Encino area. An experienced lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation.

At V&A Law Firm, our legal team works hard for the individuals we represent. Our work is performed on a contingency fee basis unless we win. We believe a person’s ability to pay should not affect their access to justice. Contact us today by calling 818-369-3270 for a free consultation. Our spine injury lawyers in Encino, CA, are here to assist.