When a spinal cord injury occurs, your life changes in an instant. The physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. At Dordick Law Corporation, we understand the profound impact a catastrophic spinal cord injury has on you and your family. A spinal cord injury lawyer in Beverly Hills from our firm has dedicated their practice to helping victims recover the compensation they deserve while they focus on healing and rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have legal rights. We’re here to fight for you.
Why Choose Dordick Law Corporation for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
Dedicated representation for catastrophic injuries
Spinal cord injuries require experienced legal knowledge. At Dordick Law Corporation, we bring years of experience handling complex catastrophic injury cases. We understand the medical details, the long-term care requirements, and the financial impact that spinal cord injuries create. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
We work hard to achieve strong results. Our personal injury attorneys conduct thorough investigations. We consult with experienced medical experts. We build compelling cases that hold negligent parties accountable. We’ve successfully represented clients throughout Beverly Hills and the surrounding areas, recovering substantial settlements and verdicts for spinal cord injury victims.
When you choose Dordick Law Corporation, you choose a firm that treats your case with the urgency and dedication it deserves. We provide personalized attention, clear communication, and dedicated representation from your initial consultation through trial, if necessary. Our award-winning attorneys, including Gary A. Dordick, have recovered millions for injured clients.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and Your Legal Rights
What constitutes a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when trauma damages the nerve fibers in the spinal cord. This disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is divided into regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (base of spine). Injuries at higher levels typically result in more severe disabilities.
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury results in total loss of function below the injury site. An incomplete injury allows some nerve signals to pass through. This may preserve some function. Paraplegia refers to paralysis of the lower body. Quadriplegia (or tetraplegia) involves paralysis of all four limbs.
Motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of spinal cord injuries. They account for approximately 37% of all cases. Other common causes include workplace accidents, slip and fall incidents, construction site injuries, sports-related accidents, and acts of violence. Regardless of how your injury occurred, if another party’s negligence caused it, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Types of Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Economic and non-economic damages
Spinal cord injuries result in substantial lifetime costs. Victims often face medical expenses exceeding millions of dollars for high-level tetraplegia cases alone. California law allows injured parties to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include all quantifiable financial losses. These include emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation therapy, medications, medical equipment and devices, home modifications for accessibility, ongoing nursing care, and lost wages. We work with life care planners and economists to calculate the full scope of your lifetime care needs.
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium refers to the impact on your relationships with family members. While these damages are harder to quantify, they often represent the largest portion of a spinal cord injury settlement.
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, California law also permits punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. Our Beverly Hills personal injury attorneys evaluate every case to determine what damages you may be entitled to recover.
How Dordick Law Corporation Builds Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
Our comprehensive approach to SCI litigation
Building a strong spinal cord injury case requires careful investigation and expert analysis. Our process begins with a thorough investigation of the accident scene. We gather police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence. We preserve critical evidence before it disappears and identify all potentially liable parties.
Then, we consult with experienced medical experts. These include physiatrists, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons. They establish the extent of your injuries and their long-term implications. Life care planners project your future medical needs and costs. Vocational experts assess your ability to work. They calculate lost earning capacity. Economic experts quantify all damages.
Our attorneys negotiate with insurance companies. We present compelling evidence of liability and the full scope of your damages. We’re prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved in all major decisions. Our track record includes substantial case results that demonstrate our commitment to client recovery. Dylan Dordick, one of our lead trial attorneys, has extensive experience securing favorable verdicts in catastrophic injury cases.
Spinal Cord Injury Cases We Handle in Beverly Hills
We represent spinal cord injury victims across a wide range of accident scenarios. Motor vehicle accidents—including car crashes, truck collisions, and motorcycle accidents—remain the primary cause of spinal cord injuries. We handle cases involving distracted drivers, speeding, drunk driving, and defective vehicles.
Workplace accidents, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries, frequently result in spinal cord injuries. Slip and fall accidents on poorly maintained premises, inadequate security, or hazardous conditions can cause catastrophic injuries. Product liability cases involve defective equipment or vehicles that fail to protect occupants during accidents. We also handle premises liability claims, medical malpractice cases, and injuries resulting from acts of violence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in California?
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury. However, if your claim involves a government entity, the deadline may be shorter. You typically have six months to file a claim notice. It’s critical to act quickly. Missing the deadline eliminates your right to recover compensation. Contact our Beverly Hills office immediately to protect your legal rights.
What is the average settlement for a spinal cord injury case?
Settlement amounts vary dramatically based on the severity of the injury. Your age, earning capacity, and the strength of the liability evidence also matter. High-level tetraplegia cases often result in settlements exceeding millions of dollars. Some cases recover substantially more. We’ve secured settlements in the millions for our clients. During your free consultation, we can discuss what your case may be worth based on comparable cases and your specific circumstances.
Do I need a lawyer for my spinal cord injury claim?
While you have the legal right to represent yourself, spinal cord injury cases are extraordinarily complex. Insurance companies employ experienced adjusters and attorneys to minimize payouts. Without legal representation, you’re at a significant disadvantage. Our team of personal injury attorneys works to ensure your rights are protected. You receive fair compensation. Most importantly, we work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury attorney?
Dordick Law Corporation represents spinal cord injury victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, no hourly rates, and no costs unless we successfully recover compensation for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. When we do recover money, our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict. This is as agreed upon in our representation agreement. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. We’re motivated to work toward your recovery.
What evidence is needed to prove liability in a spinal cord injury case?
To establish liability, we must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care. They must have breached that duty through negligent or wrongful conduct. That breach must have directly caused your injuries. Evidence may include accident scene photographs, police reports, witness testimony, expert analysis, medical records, and surveillance footage. In motor vehicle accidents, we examine traffic laws, vehicle maintenance records, and driver behavior. Our investigators and experts work to build a strong case of liability.
Can I recover compensation for future medical care?
Yes. One of the most important aspects of a spinal cord injury settlement is securing compensation for lifetime medical care. We work with life care planners to project your future medical needs. These include ongoing therapy, medications, equipment replacement, home care assistance, and potential surgeries. These future care costs often exceed current medical expenses. Our attorneys ensure your settlement accounts for the full scope of your lifetime needs.
Ready to Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, contact Dordick Law Corporation today. Call (310) 736-2866 for a free consultation. Our attorneys are ready to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Our firm works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover fair compensation for you. Contact us and schedule your free consultation with our Beverly Hills office now.
Related Blog Posts & Resources
Learn more about related catastrophic injuries and how we can help:
- Shedding Light on Spinal Cord Injuries: Advocating for Awareness and Justice in California
- Handling Concussions and TBI in the Legal Arena
- Inside the Trial: How Dordick Law Secured a 7.6 Million Verdict for a TBI Victim
