If you sustained a spinal injury due to someone else’s negligent actions, a Scranton spinal cord injury lawyer at Munley Law can fight for your right to recover damages to cover medical and rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Even minor damage to the spinal cord can be catastrophic. An injured spinal cord can partially or completely cut off communication from the brain to any parts below the injury site. A victim can suffer permanent, life-changing damages, including chronic pain, high medical costs, and reduced quality of life. Our board-certified attorneys at Munley Law have been assisting clients with spinal cord injuries for decades, representing cases arising from motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, defective and dangerous products, and medical malpractice, and winning verdicts of up to $1.3 million.
With Marion Munley selected as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation, and J. Christopher Munley featured in the NTLA’s Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list, we have the skill to win your specific case and bring the culpable parties to book.
Contact our Scranton personal injury lawyers today via chat, email, or phone to schedule a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Are the Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows that there were 18,421 new spinal cord injury cases reported across the nation in 2025, with motor vehicle accidents, falls, and acts of violence cited as their leading causes.
Nearly 40% of these injuries are caused by motor vehicle crashes—situations often requiring help from a trusted Scranton car accident lawyer, particularly after serious collisions. The vast majority of events leading to spinal cord injuries are entirely preventable, occurring due to someone’s negligence or reckless actions. Additionally, around 15.5% of the cases recorded in 2025 were attributed to violent acts.
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Even a minor accident can lead to a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, which may be mistaken for a simple whiplash injury. According to the NSCISC, 37.3% of the spinal cord injuries (SCIs) reported in 2025 were caused by vehicle crashes.
- Catastrophic falls – People over the age of 65 are especially at risk for serious injuries caused by slips, trips, or falls, which usually result from a sudden compression or twisting of the spinal cord. Falls accounted for 32% of the SCIs recorded across the US in 2025 alone.
- Workplace and industrial accidents – A dangerous work environment can lead to a spinal cord injury when workers suffer an accident from heavy machinery or other hazards. In such cases, injured employees should speak with a Scranton workers’ compensation lawyer to explore their options. Additionally, workers can suffer spine injuries when lifting heavy objects improperly or outside established safety standards.
- Medical malpractice – When medical professionals fail in their duty, it can lead to spinal cord injuries with lasting effects. Some common medical errors include surgery mistakes, incorrectly administered anesthesia, chiropractic treatment malpractice, and failure to diagnose a ruptured disc or spinal abscess. Medical and surgical errors caused around 3.7% of the spinal cord injuries reported throughout 2025.
Many events that lead to a spinal cord injury result from careless behavior. No one deserves to experience a spinal cord injury, and anyone suffering from an SCI deserves compensation from responsible parties.
What Types of Damages Can Occur to the Spinal Cord?
The spine is divided into three sections:
- Cervical – Includes the neck and most of the upper part of the spine
- Thoracic – Includes the middle of the back
- Lumbar – Includes the lower part of the back connecting to the tailbone
The 31 vertebrae shield the spine from damage, and between the vertebrae, soft discs allow the spine to move and absorb shock without damaging the bone.
When a severe force acts on the spine, or the spine is twisted or strained beyond its normal limits, it can damage the vertebrae or push the disc of tissue between the vertebrae into the spinal cord. In some cases, the spinal cord can be entirely severed.
Spinal cord injuries are generally either complete or incomplete:
- Complete – The person suffers either complete paraplegia or complete quadriplegia.
- Paraplegia – A loss of sensation and movement in the lower body, usually the legs, bowel, bladder, and sexual organs. According to the NSCISC, 19.6% of the spinal cord injuries reported in 2025 led to complete paraplegia.
- Quadriplegia – Includes the symptoms of paraplegia as well as a loss of movement or feeling in the hand or arm, with the possibility of requiring a ventilator to breathe. 1% of the total spinal injury cases across the United States resulted in complete quadriplegia (tetraplegia) in 2025.
- Incomplete – Someone may suffer from a partial loss of movement or feeling in one or more appendages. Incomplete paraplegia occurred in 20.3% of 2025 SCI cases, and incomplete tetraplegia in 47.6% of these incidents.
Recovery from a spinal cord injury, much like recovering from a serious brain injury, can lead to additional complications, especially when long-term care is needed. Those who have suffered from a spine injury are at higher risk for new injuries.
Common complications from a spinal cord injury include:
- Infections, bed sores, and clots from a lack of movement ability
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Difficulty with weight control
- Sexual dysfunction or loss of sexual function entirely
- Injuries resulting from an inability to sense pain or temperature
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity. Three generations of Munleys have built this firm on one belief: that injured people deserve the same fierce advocacy that the powerful receive as a matter of course. That belief still drives everything we do.”
Caroline Munley
How Expensive Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
Rehabilitation for an SCI is also known as Neuro-Recovery Rehab. Damages to the spinal cord can often result in a permanent disability, as the nerves of the spine cannot heal back together like bone. These permanent damages can require long-term care and rehabilitation, which can be incredibly costly.
In addition to general medical expenses, SCI victims may require:
- Feeding assistance
- Toileting and hygiene assistance
- Therapy for physical, occupational, or speech impairments
- Tools and assistive devices for long-term use
- Counseling
Some injured persons may require long-term care in a nursing home or assisted living facility. SCI sufferers and their families may need to hire a long-term personal care assistant or other forms of household assistance. Even those with minor spinal cord injuries may require such care later on in their lives as their aging is affected by their injuries.
Why Choose Munley Law to Fight For Your Spinal Cord Injury Compensation?
Spinal cord injuries can drastically change your life. You may suffer from a loss of wages from missing work or being unable to work entirely. Your life enjoyment can suffer from losing your ability to participate in your favorite activities. You may require costly and painful medical treatment.
At Munley Law, four of our lawyers board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and our experts are highly skilled at representing spinal cord injury cases in Pennsylvania courts. We have been recognized by the Summit Council, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for our exceptional results and sizable settlements won for our clients.
All of our attorneys are members of the American Association for Justice, where senior partner Marion Munley serves as Vice President, as well as the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where Caroline Munley has qualified as a workers’ compensation specialist to handle spinal cord injury cases in local workplaces. Our lawyers have all received recognition from Best Lawyers, and our firm has been named to Best Law Firms on an annual basis. Eight of our litigators are listed as Super Lawyers, with Marion Munley also achieving rankings in the directory’s Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers lists.
All five of our partners have earned Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Ratings, with Daniel Munley winning Martindale’s Platinum Client Champion Award and Caroline Munley awarded the Silver Client Champion Award for their outstanding client service. Our partners are also named some of the state’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association, highlighting our dedication to pursuing justice in spinal injury cases throughout the Keystone State.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries in Scranton, PA
What Are the Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Scranton?
The leading causes of spinal cord injuries in Scranton include motor vehicle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, and acts of violence. Vehicle crashes account for the highest percentage of cases, followed closely by falls, particularly among older adults. Workplace and industrial accidents, as well as medical malpractice and surgical errors, are also notable causes of SCIs. Many of these incidents result from negligence, and in these cases, victims are entitled to seek compensation for their injuries and suffering.
Can I Get Compensation For a Spinal Cord Injury Caused By Someone Else?
If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as an irresponsible driver, an unsafe workplace, a defective product, or a surgical error, you may be entitled to seek compensation. The damages you may be able to claim include compensation for your medical and rehabilitation costs, long-term care needs, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action for your case.
How Much Will It Cost Me to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Scranton, PA?
The lawyers at Munley Law handle spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you won’t face any fees upfront when seeking legal advice with us. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact a Scranton Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
If you have suffered from a spinal cord injury, reach out to an experienced Scranton catastrophic injury attorney at Munley Law right away.
Our spinal cord injury attorneys have a long history of representing accident victims in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and throughout the Keystone State. We can look over your case in a no-obligation free consultation and help you decide the best path forward. Contact us today.
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.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on March 4, 2026.
