West Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Strong and compassionate representation for victims of catastrophic spinal cord injuries

In the United States, approximately 308,620 people are currently living with spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, every year there are 18,421 new cases. If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent party and suffered a spine injury, an experienced attorney may be able to help you recover compensation.

Spinal cord injuries can be life-altering, and oftentimes, the injury comes with high medical costs and long-term medical expenses. At Nace Law Group, we understand how catastrophic a spinal cord injury can be to a victim and their family. We fight for compensation for our clients at a time when they might just need it most.

Table of contents

• How can Nace Law Group help victims with spinal cord injuries?
• Why are spinal cord injuries so devastating?
• What exactly is a spinal cord injury?
• Symptoms of spinal cord injuries
• Types of spinal cord injuries
• Common causes of spinal cord injuries in West Virginia
• How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed and treated?
• Who can be liable in a spinal cord injury case?
• West Virginia laws relating to spinal cord injuries
• How Nace Law Group handles spinal cord injury cases
• Frequently asked questions
• Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?

How can Nace Law Group help victims with spinal cord injuries?

Working with Nace Law Group means working with people who understand the devastating impact a spinal cord injury can have on a victim and their family. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can be huge, and we’re here to help. We offer free consultations so that you can discuss your injury, the accident, and ask questions about your legal options.

Our team is experienced and compassionate. We have a successful track record of verdicts and settlements, and although past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, we’re proud of our ability to secure better futures for our clients. When you need an attorney by your side, contact us. We’re ready to fight for you.

Why are spinal cord injuries so devastating?

The spinal cord controls movements and sensation in the body, so when it’s damaged, the connection between the brain and the body can be severed. The permanent loss of function, mobility, or sensation can bring intense emotional trauma and tough financial challenges in addition to the physical injury.

Victims often require long-term medical care and adjustments to the way they live their daily lives. This can be anything from modifying your living space to learning to use assistive technology or requiring full-time care. A devastating spinal cord injury can have a lasting impact on a victim as well as their family.

What exactly is a spinal cord injury?

Simply put, a spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord. The injury, however, is nothing simple. The spinal cord—a bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that send and receive signals from the brain—runs from the lower part of the brain down to the lower back. Injury can occur to the spinal cord or to the tissue and bones surrounding it, and can create temporary or permanent damage.

Symptoms of spinal cord injuries

When a victim suffers from a spinal cord injury, their symptoms reflect the section of the spinal cord that was injured. An injury to the upper section of the spinal cord can cause paralysis (like tetraplegia or quadriplegia) and will likely affect more of the body than an injury to the lower section of the spinal cord. An injury lower down on the spinal cord may only affect a person’s lower body and legs (paraplegia). Paralysis can happen right away or later, as a result of bleeding and swelling.

Common symptoms suffered by victims of spinal cord injuries include:

• Loss of movement
• Numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation
• Weakness
• Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in sexual function

Types of spinal cord injuries

The severity of a spinal cord injury varies, but it typically can be either complete or incomplete:

• Complete: no nerve communication below the injury site. Victims lose function and control below the injury.
• Incomplete: the spinal cord is still able to communicate with the brain. Victims will likely still have some feeling and control below the injury site.

Common causes of spinal cord injuries in West Virginia

While spinal cord injuries are rare, there are approximately 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injury cases each year. Some of the leading causes of these devastating injuries include:

• Traffic crashes, especially at high speeds and when seatbelts aren’t fastened
• Slips and falls, especially for older adults
• Violence, resulting in injuries from guns and knives
• Sports and recreation, like contact football and diving

No matter the cause, spinal cord injuries can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Seeking immediate treatment and experienced legal help can help protect your future.

How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed and treated?

At the scene of the accident, emergency staff will carefully place the victim on a backboard and attach a neck brace to prevent further injury. If a doctor suspects a spinal cord injury, they’ll check for movement or sensation near the injury. Typically, medical tests, like an MRI, a CT, or x-rays, can confirm a diagnosis.

Treatments vary, depending on the severity of injury. Doctors can predict long-term outcomes so that their patients can set reasonable goals and prepare for the future. Rehabilitation programs might include physical therapy and skill-building alongside emotional support. Treatment can include a team of doctors, therapists, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, social workers, and other specialists.

Who can be liable in a spinal cord injury case?

Spinal cord injuries can arise from different situations—from car accidents and workplace mishaps to unsafe property conditions and medical negligence. In some cases, there may be more than one party at fault.

Depending on the individual circumstances of your case, the following may be liable:

• Negligent drivers in crashes
• Employers (in limited cases) who don’t reasonably provide safe working conditions
• Property owners with known hazards who don’t warn visitors
• Manufacturers with defective products
• Healthcare providers who breach their duty of care through negligent behaviors

Spinal cord injuries are serious. Many victims need to adapt to a new normal. Sometimes, it requires a lot of financial costs to get there.

West Virginia laws relating to spinal cord injuries

When it comes to spinal cord injuries, West Virginia follows comparative negligence. Generally, a person who suffered from a spinal cord injury due to the negligent act of another can collect damages as their fault is not greater than the combined fault of all other responsible parties.

Timing also comes into play in personal injury cases in West Virginia. A spinal cord injury victim typically has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim, although exceptions do apply. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible is in your best interest. The sooner you begin gathering evidence to support your case, the stronger your case may be.

How Nace Law Group handles spinal cord injury cases

Nace Law Group handles all spinal cord injuries with compassion and professionalism. We guide clients through every step of the legal process, listening to their stories and answering any questions they may have. After retention, we dive into investigation. We collect medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and other pertinent information. We also collaborate with experts to better understand the impact of your injury and your long-term needs.

Some cases are negotiated. Others are settled. A few go to trial. Regardless of how you come to a resolution, Nace Law Group is a team of aggressive litigators, and we are prepared to pursue the maximum compensation you need to help you rebuild your life.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file a lawsuit for a spinal cord injury?

Possibly, as long as your injury was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another person, and you meet the statute of limitations deadline.

Do I need an attorney to file a spinal cord injury claim?

It’s highly recommended. An attorney can help establish fault, understand the complexities of the law in West Virginia, and fight for fair compensation to help you rebuild your life.

Do spinal cord injuries always result in paralysis?

No, they don’t. Some spinal cord injuries cause paralysis, but others are incomplete and leave varying degrees of movement or sensation below the injury.

What recovery is expected following a spinal cord injury?

It depends on a variety of factors. Currently, there is no way to fully restore function after a spinal cord injury, but victims can regain some function.

What is the difference between tetraplegia and paraplegia?

Tetraplegia affects all four limbs and is usually caused by damage to the cervical spine. Paraplegia often affects the lower limbs and is caused by damage to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine.

Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?

Yes. Nace Law Group is located at 3501 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304. Contact us today by phone or through our contact form. Our experienced lawyers understand the catastrophic aftermath of a spinal cord injury, and we want to help you recover the compensation you need for a bright future.