Houston Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury can alter the course of your life in an instant. One minute you’re living your life, and the next, everything changes. Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent disability, chronic pain, and an emotional and financial burden you may have never expected to experience. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to justice and a legal team that’s willing to fight for your future.

At Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, we serve victims of spinal cord injuries in Houston and throughout the surrounding areas. We know how serious and life-altering these injuries can be, and we are dedicated to providing knowledgeable legal counsel and aggressive representation.

Call us today at 832-430-6210 for a free consultation.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury is any damage or disturbance to the spinal cord’s function that interferes with the transmission of messages from the brain to other parts of the body and vice versa. The injury can be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic damage (sudden and violent or slow).

The consequences of a spinal cord injury can last a lifetime. The treatment for spinal cord injury requires emergency care, together with surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing support, which can create significant financial burdens. A personal injury claim might be your most effective way to pursue the resources you need if another party was at fault. Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, can help you do so.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

The majority of spinal cord injuries happen in ordinary situations that people could have avoided. Living in Houston, where traffic is always heavy, job sites are active, and urban areas are congested, you encounter a variety of situations and conditions that can cause significant spinal trauma. Frequently, these injuries are caused by another person’s careless or reckless conduct behind the wheel of a car, on the job, or in a medical setting.

Understanding some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries can help you determine whether you have a valid claim. Some of these common causes include:

• Road accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
• Falls, particularly on unsafe grounds or at construction sites
• Violent and/or criminal acts, such as gunshots or assaults
• Sports and recreational injuries, including diving or injuries from contact sports, such as football or boxing
• Medical negligence, such as surgical errors or failure to diagnose spinal issues

No matter how the injury occurred, you may be entitled to compensation if the injury was caused, even partially, by another party’s actions.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries differ in type, location, and severity, as well as long-term impact. The type of spinal cord injury you have is important for your medical care after an accident. Understanding the potential legal and financial difficulties you may face after your accident is equally important. Additionally, the type of injury you have plays an important role in how much compensation you could receive.

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

One of the key differentiations that spinal cord injuries are defined by is complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury is defined as a total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury. The brain can no longer send signals to the body below the damaged part of the spinal cord.

In an incomplete injury, there is partial communication between the brain and body. A person with an incomplete injury will have some level of feeling or movement. The type plays a significant role in both the prognosis and the type of medical care and treatment required.

Paraplegic and Tetraplegic

Spinal cord injuries are also classified by the area of the spine that is affected the most. These are usually considered either paraplegic or tetraplegic.

• Paraplegic: The condition called paraplegia occurs when the lower body becomes paralyzed due to damage in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal areas. Paraplegics often cannot move or feel their legs and experience bowel and bladder dysfunction.
• Tetraplegic: Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) means impairment in all four limbs. Tetraplegia is most commonly due to an injury to the cervical (neck) region of the spine. These are among the most severe and life-altering spinal injuries. They can sometimes lead to the need for permanent ventilator (breathing) support and 24-hour care.

Other Spinal Injuries

Not every spinal injury causes complete or partial paralysis. It’s common for victims to have herniated discs, damaged nerve roots, or fractured vertebrae that result in severe pain, limited mobility, or permanent neurological issues.

Regardless of the type of injury, spinal cord trauma is severe and may make you eligible for significant compensation. Our legal team at Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, is available to help you understand your rights and guide you through your next steps.

The Impact of Spinal Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be life-changing and devastating not only for the victim but for their entire family. Mobility and other facets of a person’s independence and quality of life are often permanently altered by such an injury. The victim is often left with a lifetime of physical limitations, medical treatment, and emotional difficulties that impact all areas of life.

Spinal cord injuries usually result in a high and long-term financial burden, as they often require multiple surgeries, extended periods of physical and occupational therapy, equipment (wheelchair, lifts, etc.), home modifications (ramps, widened doorways, modified bathrooms), and in serious cases, 24-hour assistance for the remainder of the individual’s life.

Aside from the physical damage, spinal cord injuries are often accompanied by depression, anxiety, and a feeling of isolation. One may feel emotionally distressed and very upset by being unable to go back to work, see friends, care for their family, and perform daily personal tasks.

These injuries also affect families. A spouse, for example, may be saddened by taking on the caregiving role, children may be traumatized, and a family may experience financial stress from loss of income and mounting medical expenses.

Available Compensation to Recover From a Spinal Cord Injury Case

If someone else’s negligence caused your spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to full and fair compensation for past losses and for your future damages. At Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, we go after the money necessary to recover from both economic and non-economic harm. Monetary damages in a spinal cord injury claim may include:

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency care, surgeries, rehab, medications, and ongoing treatments
• Lost income: If you lost wages during recovery and/or experienced reduced future earning capacity, you can recuperate your losses.
• Pain and suffering: This accounts for physical and emotional suffering from chronic pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Home and vehicle modifications: Some individuals require modifications in the home, such as wheelchair ramps, lifts, or special equipment.
• Loss of consortium: This provides compensation for the impact on relationships and family life.

Punitive damages may also be available in certain cases in which the defendant’s conduct was outrageous or intentional (like drunk driving or assault). We prevent insurance companies from minimizing their liability payouts. We help ensure you receive the resources needed to move forward with dignity and independence.

Why You Need a Houston Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex and high-stakes personal injury claims. Between the medical evidence, long-term financial losses, and insurance company tactics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable, especially if you’re handling the case on your own.

A knowledgeable and experienced spinal cord injury lawyer knows relevant laws and how to use them to defend your rights. We also have an understanding of the medical and financial realities you’re up against. At Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, our attorneys have the skill and resources needed to build a strong, evidence-based case that accurately reflects the value of your losses.

We can take care of all communication with insurers and work to investigate liability fully. If a favorable settlement can’t be reached, we can take your case to court. At Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, we believe in providing a legal team that takes your case as seriously as you do. Our approach combines personalized representation with clear communication and relentless advocacy, which allows you to prioritize your recovery as we work to obtain the greatest possible outcome for you.

Contact Calhoun Meredith, PLLC to Schedule a Free Consultation

You can navigate this challenging road with support and guidance. When you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury due to the carelessness of someone else, Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, can help. We can guide you with kindness and care and fight aggressively for your rights.

Contact us at 832-430-6210 today for your free consultation.