A spinal cord injury can change your entire world in an instant. When you’re facing paralysis, chronic pain, or staggering medical bills, you deserve answers and legal support. An Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can fight for accountability and help you protect your future. Call (908) 460-7277 today to discuss your circumstances and learn more about how we can support you during a free consultation.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Elizabeth

No one expects a spinal cord injury, yet a single moment has the potential to alter the trajectory of your life. Common causes of spinal trauma include:

• Car Accidents – Crashes are a leading cause of spinal injuries nationwide. High-speed impacts, rollovers, and rear-end collisions can violently jolt the spine or crush vertebrae, resulting in paralysis or severe nerve damage.
• Slip and Falls – Falls on icy sidewalks, broken steps, or slippery floors can result in fractured vertebrae or dislocated discs. Older adults face higher risks due to reduced bone density and balance. Property owners must maintain safe premises or risk liability for any accidents that may occur on their premises.
• Workplace Injuries – Construction, warehousing, and manufacturing jobs carry a higher risk of spinal injuries. Falling objects, faulty scaffolding, and equipment failures can cause devastating harm. Although workers’ compensation helps, other parties may share legal liability.
• Product Defects – When products fail and cause spinal injuries, manufacturers or sellers may be held liable under the principle of strict liability. Victims don’t need to prove negligence if the product was dangerously defective. Examples include collapsing ladders, faulty sports gear, defective car seats, and chairs breaking under regular use.
• Violence and Sports Injuries – Though less common, acts of violence or high-impact sports collisions can cause severe spinal cord damage.

These causes highlight how quickly life can change – and why legal help after a spinal injury is crucial to protect your health, rights, and future. 

The Life-Altering Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord connects the brain to the body, carrying signals for movement and sensation. An injury can block these signals, resulting in serious and lasting effects. A complete injury causes a total loss of feeling and movement below the damage, while an incomplete injury leaves some function intact. Both can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on where the spinal cord is injured.

Spinal cord trauma can cause serious problems like loss of movement in the legs, arms, or trunk; chronic back or neck pain; bladder or bowel issues; muscle spasms or weakness; loss of sexual function; trouble breathing; and numbness or tingling due to nerve damage.

Beyond physical pain, these injuries cause heavy financial and personal burdens. For example, the lifetime costs for high quadriplegia can rise into the millions of dollars. Even less severe injuries lead to significant expenses, including:

• Medical costs for hospitalization, surgeries, and rehab
• Long-term expenses for assistive devices, home changes, and vehicle modifications
• Lost income from missed work or disability
• Emotional strain from lost independence and shifting relationships
• Pain and suffering
• Ongoing costs for personal care assistance

Many victims require spinal surgery, ongoing therapy, and mobility aids. Homes and vehicles often need expensive changes. Spinal injuries deeply disrupt life and bring emotional and financial stress. 

Rehabilitation and Therapy for Spinal Injuries

Rehabilitation and therapy can help people with spinal injuries regain strength, relearn how to perform everyday tasks, and adapt to changes in their lives. Treatments vary, but often include physical therapy to maintain muscle function, occupational therapy to assist with daily activities, speech therapy if breathing or speaking is impaired, and counseling for mental health and emotional support. Although rehab can improve health and quality of life, it can be very expensive. A spinal injury claim can help cover these costs, allowing you to achieve the best possible recovery. 

Proving Fault and Legal Grounds in Elizabeth Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Proving fault in a spinal cord injury case requires solid evidence and a clear legal plan. An experienced Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can investigate your case and identify who’s responsible. Not all spinal injuries stem from negligence; other legal theories may also apply, including:

• Negligence – Most spinal injuries happen because someone was careless, like a driver texting, a store owner leaving a spill, or a property manager not fixing broken stairs. To prove negligence, victims must show the other person had a duty to keep things safe, broke that duty, and caused the injury.
• Strict Liability – Sometimes you don’t have to prove negligence. Under strict liability, manufacturers or sellers can be held responsible for injuries resulting from defective products, such as collapsing ladders or broken seatbelts, even if they weren’t careless.

Knowing your legal options helps you seek compensation for medical costs, lost income, and the pain and challenges a spinal cord injury brings, giving you a better chance at rebuilding your life.

Steps in a Spinal Injury Claim

Here’s what you can expect when working with an Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney:

• Consultation – Discuss your case, losses, and possible legal options.
• Investigation – Your lawyer gathers records, interviews witnesses, and examines physical evidence.
• Engaging Experts – Medical and financial specialists help strengthen your claim.
• Demand Letter – Your attorney sends a letter outlining your losses and requesting settlement talks.
• Negotiations – Many cases settle without going to court.
• Filing a Lawsuit – If needed, your lawyer files suit to pursue relief through litigation.
• Trial – If no settlement occurs, your attorney presents your case to a judge or jury.

Throughout the process, your attorney manages the legal work, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Filing Deadlines in New Jersey

People with spinal injuries have a limited time to take legal action. New Jersey has strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this time limit, you could lose your right to receive financial help for your losses. A lawyer can explain these deadlines and help start your claim as soon as possible.

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Losses

Victims of spinal injuries may recover relief for many types of losses, such as:

• Medical expenses from hospitalizations, surgeries, and therapy
• Future medical costs for ongoing care
• Lost income and reduced earning potential
• Expenses for assistive devices and wheelchair accessibility modifications
• Costs of hiring personal care assistants
• The emotional weight of pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life and independence

No two cases are the same. Your lawyer will examine your circumstances and build a claim that reflects the full scope of your losses.

How Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Helps Spinal Cord Injury Victims

We understand spinal cord injuries cause pain, financial stress, and uncertainty. We approach each case with determination and protect our clients’ rights.

Our attorneys offer:

• Extensive experience with injuries like paraplegia, quadriplegia, and nerve damage
• Deep knowledge of New Jersey personal injury laws
• Skill in complex cases involving negligence or strict liability
• A reputation for aggressive advocacy in negotiations and court

Insurance companies often offer quick, low settlements in spinal injury cases, hoping victims settle before knowing their rights. A lawyer from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can protect you and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Your attorney will:

• Gather evidence and consult medical and financial experts
• Assess future medical needs like surgery, therapy, and assistive devices
• Calculate all financial losses, including medical costs and lost income
• Handle insurer negotiations
• Litigate in court if needed

We prepare every case for trial, often securing better settlements as a result. Let an experienced Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney guide you toward justice and relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re dealing with a spinal injury, you likely have many questions. Here are answers to common concerns for people in Elizabeth.

Can I sue if my injury happened at work? 

Yes, although the process varies. Workers’ compensation usually covers medical costs and part of lost income if you’re injured on the job. However, you generally can’t sue your employer directly under New Jersey’s system. If a third party – like a contractor, property owner, or equipment maker – caused or contributed to the accident, you may have a separate personal injury claim. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can review your situation and explain your legal options to you. 

How do I know who’s liable for my spinal injury?

Liability depends on how your injury occurred. A negligent driver, a careless property owner, or a manufacturer of a defective product may be responsible. An Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney can analyze evidence, consult experts, and identify all liable parties. Proving fault is crucial to recovering your losses.

How do courts evaluate spinal injury claims? 

Courts look at how the injury happened, how serious it is, what medical care is needed, and how it affects someone’s movement and ability to work. They also think about medical bills, lost pay, and pain and suffering. Good evidence, expert opinions, and financial records can help strengthen your case.

If you’re uncertain about next steps, speaking with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Elizabeth can help protect your rights.

Contact an Elizabeth Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

A spinal cord injury shouldn’t define your future. Let Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers help you pursue the financial relief and justice you deserve. Contact us today at (908) 460-7277 for your free consultation with an Elizabeth spinal cord injury attorney.