A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic event that turns a person’s world upside down. Whether it’s a car crash on Highway 99 or a fall at a South Fresno construction site, a victim’s world is altered forever.
The physical pain is often overshadowed by the overwhelming uncertainty that follows as victims worry about how they’ll provide for their family, how they will afford ongoing specialized care, or if they will ever walk again. The experience is unthinkable.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand that a spinal injury is a family crisis. Whether you are dealing with quadriplegia, paraplegia, or a chronic nerve injury, our mission is to secure the resources you need to sustain your family and allow you to live with dignity and as much independence as possible. We have spent decades immersed in the California legal system, holding negligent parties accountable and making sure insurance companies don’t minimize the massive lifetime costs associated with these catastrophic injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Fresno, contact Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
The prognosis of a spinal injury depends entirely on where the spine was damaged. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we look at the specific level of your injury to determine the scope of your future needs, from specialized respiratory equipment to home modifications.
In general, the higher the injury is on the spinal cord, the more the body is impacted. The following breakdown outlines how the specific location of your injury along the spinal cord determines your symptoms:
- Cervical: Injuries affecting the neck can disrupt or completely block movement and sensation in the arms, chest, and legs. It can also impact breathing.
- Thoracic: Damage where the top of the rib connects to the spine typically affects the chest and legs. If the upper thoracic is damaged, it can alter breathing. In general, these injuries impact bowel and bladder control.
- Lumbar: This area is between the chest and pelvis and can harm the hips and legs. The bowels and bladder can also be impacted.
- Sacral: Injuries from the pelvis to the end of the spine typically affect the hips and legs. When the upper sacral is damaged, the bowels and bladder are affected.
The Road to Recovery in the Central Valley
A spinal injury requires prompt, expert medical intervention. In our region, that path usually begins at Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC), the only area Level 1 Trauma Center. Our lawyers understand the cost and importance of securing the fastest and best neurological and surgical interventions.
When calculating the costs associated with a spinal cord injury, we go beyond the ER visit and initial hospital stays. We explore the cost of living in Fresno with a disability. Here are some of the costs to consider when seeking compensation for spinal injuries:
- Home Accessibility: Modifications for older ranch-style homes or modern builds in North Fresno to accommodate wheelchairs
- Ongoing Rehabilitation: Years of physical therapy at local centers like the Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center
- Van Conversions: Specialized vehicles to help you get around when public transit isn’t an option
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Fresno
Fresno’s mix of high-speed transit and industrial zones creates a unique set of risks for residents. We often see spinal cord cases from:
- Agricultural and Heavy Trucking Accidents: The 99 and 41 corridors are lifelines for the Central Valley, but they are also danger zones for collisions involving massive tractor-trailers. The extreme force experienced in an agricultural truck crash is a leading cause of cervical (neck) spine damage.
- Rural Intersection Collisions: Outside the city center, high-speed “T-bone” accidents in rural Fresno County often lead to the violent jarring of the spinal column, resulting in permanent neurological issues.
- The Tower District and College Transit: In high-traffic areas like Fresno State or the Tower District, pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable. Without the protective frame of a motor vehicle, these victims often suffer spinal injuries that lead to a lifetime of chronic pain and mobility issues.
Who May Be Liable for a Fresno Spinal Cord Injury?
Because the lifetime cost of a spinal injury can reach millions of dollars, we investigate every potential source of recovery. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, liable parties may include:
- Negligent drivers or trucking companies
- Employers or contractors
- Property owners or property managers
- Manufacturers of defective products or equipment
- Government entities responsible for unsafe roads or public property
- Medical providers who cause spinal injury through negligence
These cases are rarely straightforward and require an experienced lawyer to investigate thoroughly and review safety standards and all records.
Compensation For Fresno Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Spinal cord injuries are considered catastrophic injuries because of the potential lifelong impact they have on victims’ lives. Compensation must cover immediate losses but also account for future medical care and reduced quality of life. Depending on the case, compensation may include:
- Comprehensive Clinical Care: From the initial ER visit to a lifetime of specialized surgeries, procedures, and hospitalizations
- Intensive Rehabilitative Therapy: Ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Adaptive Equipment: High-tech mobility devices, assistive technology, and the necessary adjustments to your home and vehicles for accessibility
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Total compensation for your inability to return to work and the loss of future financial growth
- Personal and Human Costs: Significant recovery for your physical pain, the emotional toll of permanent disability, and the loss of your ability to fully enjoy life with your family
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury Accident
What you do after a serious accident can affect both your recovery and your legal options. While every situation is different, the following actions can help protect your health and your claim:
- Get medical help immediately and make sure you show up to every follow-up appointment they schedule.
- Make sure the accident is on the record with the police, your boss, or other appropriate authority. Obtain a copy of the incident report.
- Gather whatever evidence you can, such as photos of the scene, names of witnesses and their contact info, and copies of your medical bills.
- Protect yourself from insurance adjusters and don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
- Talk to our Fresno team right away so we can start protecting your claim before the evidence disappears.
How Berg Injury Lawyers Fights for Spinal Cord Injury Victims
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand how serious a spinal cord injury is and how damaging it is to the victim and their family. Our role is to alleviate the legal burden so you can focus on healing and adapting to life after injury.
We take care of the investigation, gather medical and financial documentation, work with experts to assess long-term needs, and handle all communication with insurance companies. When necessary, we are fully prepared to take catastrophic injury cases to court to pursue maximum compensation.
We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Our Fresno Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Today
The path forward after a spinal cord injury is overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our roots are in the Central Valley, and we understand the unique challenges Fresno families face after a spinal cord injury. We want to help you.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Fresno, contact Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We are here to help you move forward with confidence, dignity, and security.
