If you have suffered from an injury to your spinal cord due to the negligence of another person, you need an experienced Pittsburgh spinal cord injury lawyer on your side. At Munley Law, our Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys have almost seven decades of experience in complex personal injury litigation. We can work with you to demand the justice you are owed for your injuries, obtaining the compensation you need to recover, just as we’ve obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for other injured Pittsburghers.
Our attorneys’ expertise, watertight cases, and stellar results continue to be recognized by peers, clients, and the most prestigious legal organizations. Our partners all received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ratings, clients regularly give us five-star Google Reviews, and we routinely receive accolades and awards from various institutions. Among them are the National Trial Lawyers, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Best Law Firms.
Reach out to Munley Law right away to discuss your spinal injury case. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 The Facts on Spinal Cord Injuries
Every year in the United States, an estimated 18,000 people suffer from a traumatic spinal injury or SCI. Motorcycle accidents remain a leading cause of these injuries.
A year after the injury, only 13% of all people with SCIs find employment, and only one-third can find employment 20 years post-injury. In addition, people with SCIs are up to five times higher risk of premature death than those without a spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries require extensive long-term care for recovery. Comprehensive and often painful medical care is needed to manage the neurological and physical problems common in spinal cord injuries. Even with proper care, only 1% of all spinal cord injury victims can expect to have a complete neurological recovery after initial discharge from the hospital.
With facts like these, it’s clear that people who experienced spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence deserve fair compensation.
What are the Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Pittsburgh?
As mentioned, motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spine injuries. Motor vehicle accidents themselves are common in Pittsburgh, and a catastrophic car or motorcycle accident can lead to severe spinal cord injury.
Other leading causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Falls: Representing 31% of all spinal cord injuries, falls from high places in construction work or simple slip and fall incidents can lead to an SCI.
- Acts of Violence: SCIs from violence are typically from gunshot wounds or fights.
- Sports and Recreation: Football, ice hockey, wrestling, and diving are some sports activities with the highest risk of catastrophic injury to the spine.
- Medical and Surgical: Medical mistakes and malpractice are the cause behind an estimated 5% of spinal cord injuries.
The majority of accidents leading to spinal cord injuries are preventable. They are specifically caused by negligence by one or more parties. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer at Munley Law can help you hold those at fault accountable for your pain and suffering.
What are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Damage?
The spinal cord contains 31 pairs of spinal nerves and roots, which send information to and from the brain and your extremities. These nerves run through your 31 vertebrae, which protect the nerves from damage. Soft discs sit between each vertebra, allowing the spine to move and absorb shock.
Despite these protections, a severe impact or twisting of the spine can damage the vertebrae of the spine, push disc tissue out of place, or sever the spinal cord. Even moving the spinal cord slightly out of place can cause significant damage.
The main types of spinal cord injuries our lawyers in Pittsburgh have seen include:
- Whiplash
- Pinched nerves
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Soft tissue damage
- Hyperextension or compression injuries
- Complete or incomplete paraplegia
- Complete or incomplete quadriplegia
Since the spinal cord is such a core component of communication in your body, symptoms of spinal cord injuries can be severe and highly varied. The location and severity of the initial injury can drastically affect the eventual symptoms, and sometimes, spinal cord injury symptoms aren’t immediately obvious. For spinal cord injuries, in particular, nerve cells at the site of the injury can suddenly self-destruct days or weeks after the initial injury.
What are the Common Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury?
Numerous symptoms are associated with spinal cord injuries, some of which are also linked to far less serious injuries.
Common presentations of spinal cord injury include:
- Chronic overall nerve pain
- Severe pain or pressure in the spine
- Headaches and nausea without an apparent source
- Motor and sensory deficiencies, including weakness or paralysis
- Problems with bladder or bowel control, potentially leading to digestive conditions
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Issues with sensing pain or temperature
- Breathing and cardiovascular complications, including heart and breathing rate
- Issues with metabolism, such as the ability to maintain weight
- Sexual dysfunction or cessation of all sexual function
In addition, victims of spinal cord injuries can develop bed sores or lose muscle and bone density from long periods of rest. Those with spine injuries are at a higher risk of other injuries after their recovery.
The Short and Long-Term Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord can involve years of recovery time. Medical care for a spinal cord injury in Allegheny County can be costly, from the initial care at the time the injury occurred to long-term neuro-rehabilitation.
Even when an injured victim can take the time to recover, a full recovery from a severe spinal cord injury is rare. The spinal cord cannot heal like bone or most other tissues. Most victims of SCIs will require some form of long-term care or will otherwise see the rest of their lives altered.
In the long term, spinal cord injury victims may require:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Long-term assistive devices, such as wheelchairs
- Assistance with feeding, toileting, and hygiene
- Medication for pain and antibiotics
- Repeated spinal surgeries and costs for hospital stays
- Mental health counseling
- Installation of in-home aids
- Home accessibility modifications, such as elevators or ramps
SCI victims with serious quadriplegia pay an average of one million dollars in medical care in the first year. A spinal cord injury resulting in any kind of altered motor function can cost an injured person an average of $347,000. These costs may be reduced after the first year, but people living with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury will often still see high medical costs throughout their lives. One study found that people with spinal cord injuries face an estimated lifetime expenditure of between $700,000 and $2.5 million, with higher costs associated with being injured at a younger age, neurological level, US healthcare setting, and the inclusion of non-healthcare items.
Spinal cord injury victims may also end up facing all of these mounting costs with a significant reduction in earning potential. Taking time off from work to recover is costly, and some spinal cord injury victims may not be able to return to the same work they were doing before the injury.
How Do You Obtain Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury in Pittsburgh?
Due to the high costs that can result from a spinal cord injury, pursuing compensation from the negligent party is critical. Depending on the circumstances of your spinal cord injury, there may be several types of compensation available to you after an accident. The two main ways in which we recover compensation for clients include:
Personal Injury Lawsuit
In many cases, filing an injury lawsuit against the negligent party is the most straightforward path to recovering compensation. You can recover economic and non-economic damages through a spinal cord injury lawsuit.
- Economic damages – Covers any directly calculable damages, such as current and future medical bills, lost wages and earning potential, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages – Covers damages without a direct dollar value, such as pain and suffering and loss of life enjoyment.
In some instances, punitive damages may be awarded. These penalize the negligent party for especially egregious actions and discourage future incidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pittsburgh Spinal Cord Injury Case?
One of the most important aspects of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit is identifying all parties at fault in the claim. While the at-fault party may seem evident in some instances, sometimes additional parties can be held responsible for your injuries.
You may be able to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit against:
- The driver of a motor vehicle who caused a car accident
- The owner of a motor vehicle who allowed a high-risk driver to use their vehicle
- A negligent employer or company
- A landlord or property owner who neglected to upkeep their property
- A manufacturer or seller of a dangerous product
- A government entity
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against any entity responsible comes with unique challenges. Your SCI lawyer will know how to identify all at-fault parties and the best methods to pursue an injury lawsuit against each party.
Workers’ Compensation Claim
Those in the construction industry, in particular, are at higher risk of spinal cord injuries, usually due to falls from high places or machinery accidents. If you were injured at a worksite, your workers’ compensation can cover your lost wages and medical bills as you recover.
However, it is essential to note that your employer and workers’ compensation program representatives are incentivized to offer as little as possible. Workers’ compensation can be difficult to file, and representatives will go to great lengths to find a reason to deny your claim.
Therefore, working with an attorney when filing for workers’ compensation is essential. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can work to ensure your claim is correctly documented and filed. Your attorney can also negotiate with all involved parties while you take your time to focus on recovery.
Do You Need a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney?
While you are not required to hire an attorney for your spinal cord injury case, doing so will only help your claim. Without a lawyer, you will be left to deal with filing necessary documentation and negotiating with all parties on your own at a time when you are also dealing with recovering from your injury. It’s important to remember that, under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), you generally need to file your claim within two years from the date of injury, and the other parties involved are invested in minimizing their responsibility – and claimable damages – owed to you.
An attorney with experience in SCI claims will know how to identify all the best avenues for compensation available to you. A lawyer can navigate the legal system to deliver justice for your case. Most of all, an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer will always strive to protect your best interests.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Pittsburgh Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
Our attorneys at Munley Law draw on nearly 7 decades of experience to help clients win significant settlements and verdicts. One of these was a $1.3 million jury verdict for a woman whose spinal cord was injured in a truck accident. We have worked with some of the most complex cases and continue to stay current on the newest laws and legal methods in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.
In recognition of this, various institutions and organizations have honored our attorneys, four of whom are board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The American Association for Justice presented Marion Munley with various awards, among which are the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award and the Above and Beyond Award, and Best Lawyers named her Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation, and Medical Malpractice Law. This organization also named Daniel Munley Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation and named J. Christopher Munley Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation.
The National Trial Lawyers named Marion and Daniel among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers and the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers, Mackenzie Wilson among the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys, and all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. In addition, all our partners were named to the Irish Legal 100 list, and they received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, which also presented Daniel and Caroline with the Platinum and Silver Client Champion awards, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Spinal Cord Injury Cases
How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
You know you may have a valid spinal cord injury claim if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as a reckless driver, unsafe property condition, or workplace hazard. Our Pittsburgh spinal cord injury lawyer can review the details of your accident, gather evidence, and determine whether another party can be held legally responsible.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Spinal Cord Injury?
After a spinal cord injury, you may be able to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. This can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the at-fault party’s actions were especially reckless, you may also be awarded punitive damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
According to state law, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a spinal cord injury claim in Pennsylvania. If you miss this deadline, you might not be able to recover any compensation at all. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still pursue compensation if you are less than 51% at fault. However, any compensation you are awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Why Should I Hire a Pittsburgh Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Instead of Handling My Claim Alone?
You should hire a Pittsburgh spinal cord injury lawyer instead of handling your claim alone because these cases are complex and often involve significant damages, expert testimony, and aggressive insurance companies. A skilled lawyer can ensure paperwork is filed on time, handle negotiations, gather medical and other evidence, and build a strong case while you focus on recovery. Having legal representation greatly improves your chances of securing full and fair compensation.
Let Munley Law Fight for You
A spinal cord injury can dramatically alter the course of your entire life. You may need to change careers, rework parts of your home or car for accessibility, and manage pain for the rest of your life. All of this is on top of costly medical treatments in the short and long term.
At Munley Law, we understand the stakes of a spinal cord injury claim. We can thoroughly investigate your case to help you get the compensation you and your family deserve. Our Pittsburgh spinal cord injury lawyers do not require any fees for our services unless we win your case, meaning you do not have to pay anything out of pocket or upfront. That is part of our commitment to delivering justice to people throughout Pennsylvania.
Contact Munley Law today for a free, no-obligation case consultation with our legal team. We have offices in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania. Reach out at 412-534-5133 or through our online form.
Types of Pittsburgh Personal Injury Claims We Handle
There are many different types of personal injury cases. When choosing a Pittsburgh injury lawyer to represent you, it’s important to find someone who has handled cases like yours. Munley Law has successfully secured compensation for victims of the following types of personal injury cases:
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- Pittsburgh car accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh pedestrian accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer
- Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh rideshare accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh Uber accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh Lyft accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh brain injury lawyer
- Pittsburgh catastrophic injury lawyer
- Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyer
- Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer
- Pittsburgh bus accident lawyer
- Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer
- Pittsburgh construction accident lawyer
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Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is an experienced and award-winning personal injury lawyer and is a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA), Lawdragon, and has been a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. A member of the International Society of Barristers, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident, commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims.
