Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in New Jersey

Spinal Cord Injury in NJ

Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence? A spine injury can have a devastating impact on one’s life. It might cause permanent paralysis that results in substantial medical bills, lost independence, and inability to work. You deserve to seek financial compensation and justice from those responsible for the injury. New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyer Steven Ellman can help you demand it.

For over 35 years, attorney Steven Ellman has vigorously advocated for the rights and interests of injured victims across New Jersey. He works tirelessly to secure the best possible outcomes for his clients, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table. Steven Ellman understands that a spinal cord injury can upend your life. He strives to provide compassionate, personable, dedicated service. That means treating you with respect, listening to your concerns, and thoroughly explaining your options so that you are informed to make the best decisions for you and your future.

Reach out to the Law Office of Steven Ellman for a free initial case review. You’ll have a conversation with New Jersey spinal cord injury attorney Steven Ellman about your legal rights to pursue compensation from those at fault for your injury and disability. Let Steven Ellman advocate on your behalf to secure the accountability and justice you deserve.

What New Jersey Accidents Could Result in a Spinal Cord Injury?

New Jersey back injury lawyer Steven Ellman can help you pursue financial recovery if you suffered spinal cord injury and paralysis in accidents such as:

What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Symptoms of spinal cord injury that someone may experience immediately after an accident include:

  • Severe pain or significant pressure in the head, neck, or back
  • Weakness, paralysis, or lack of coordination
  • Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in hands and feet
  • Loss of bladder/bowel control
  • Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Odd twisting or position of the neck or back

Longer-term symptoms and complications of a spinal cord injury may include:

  • Extreme pain or stinging sensation at the site of the spinal cord injury
  • Loss of motor function or paralysis
  • Loss of sensation or altered sensations, including sensations of heat, cold, or touch
  • Exaggerated reflexes
  • Muscle spasms
  • Difficulty with bladder and bowel control
  • Changes to sexual function, sensitivity, or fertility
  • Difficulty breathing or clearing the lungs

What Are the Treatment Options for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Unfortunately, the damage caused by a spinal cord injury cannot be reversed. Instead, treatment for a spinal cord injury focuses on stabilizing a patient’s condition, preventing further injury, and providing rehabilitation and support in an attempt to allow a patient to resume an active and independent life. Immediately following an accident, emergency treatment for a spinal cord injury may include the following:

  • Immobilization of the neck and back using neck collars, rigid board, and traction devices
  • Respiratory assistance, such as the use of ventilators
  • Emergency care to prevent shock
  • Medications to prevent potential complications such as bowel/bladder control issues or cardiovascular problems that might lead to blood clots or dangerously low or high blood pressure

Once a spinal cord injury patient’s condition has been stabilized, treatment shifts toward providing additional intensive care and in-patient rehabilitation. Other treatment options that may be used in the days following a spinal cord injury include:

  • Further medications to help maintain bladder and bowel function, regulate heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce pain
  • Surgery to repair fractured vertebrae or herniated discs, remove fragments of bone or foreign objects, and install hardware to stabilize the spine to prevent deformity and pain in the future
  • Putting a patient in traction to continue immobilization of the spine as broken vertebrae and surgical repairs heal, and inflammation from damaged tissue subsides

For the long term, a spinal cord injury patient will likely need rehabilitative and supportive care that includes:

  • Medications to manage complications from a spinal cord injury, including pain relief, controlling muscle spasticity, reducing loss of muscle tone and bone density, improving bladder/bowel control, and restoring sexual function
  • Rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy, recreational therapy, vocational therapy, dietician service, mental health therapy, and social worker services
  • Purchases of assistive technology and equipment, including wheelchairs, electrical stimulation devices, computer-assisted technology, and other electronic aids
  • Home healthcare services and housekeeping assistance
  • Home renovations to install disability accommodations, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, chair lifts, or lowering counters and cabinets to wheelchair height

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury?

In addition to physical paralysis and loss of motor function, long-term complications that may arise from a spinal cord injury include:

  • Difficulties with bladder and bowel control that lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or bowel obstructions
  • Increased risk of pressure ulcers due to lack of movement in paralyzed parts of the body and loss of sensations of pain
  • Cardiovascular problems, including swelling of extremities, hypertension or hypotension, and development of blood clots
  • Increased risk of respiratory infections due to difficulties with breathing and clearing the lungs
  • Loss of bone density and increased risk of fractures
  • Loss of muscle tone or uncontrolled tightening of muscles
  • Increased risk of weight gain and complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
  • Loss of sexual function and sensitivity
  • Chronic pain
  • Chronic depression or anxiety

What Damages Can You Recover in a New Jersey Spine Injury Lawsuit?

You may be entitled to secure compensation in a spine injury lawsuit for accident-related expenses and losses. Spine injury compensation from those parties liable for your injuries can provide you with money for your:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses, including ambulance transportation, emergency room care, hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, and therapy services
  • Long-term care expenses such as purchases of mobility and assistive equipment, home health services, housekeeping and other personal assistance, and home renovations
  • Loss of income from missed time from work while recovering from a spinal cord injury
  • Loss of earning capacity and employment benefits if you cannot return to your job or the workforce after suffering permanent disability from a spinal cord injury
  • Physical pain and anguish
  • Emotional trauma and distress
  • Loss of enjoyment and quality of life because of permanent physical disabilities, visible disfigurement, or reduced life expectancy because of your spine injury

What Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury from a New Jersey Car Accident?

Because every spine injury case is different, there is no such thing as an “average” settlement. The compensation you could recover in your spine injury claim will depend on various factors, including:

  • The severity of the injury and the extent of any resulting physical disability
  • The degree of physical ability and independence attainable
  • Future medical and personal care needs
  • Whether the injured party can return to gainful employment after the injury
  • The extent of the liable party’s or parties’ financial resources, including insurance coverage
  • The strength of your case against the at-fault parties
  • Whether you bear any share of fault for the accident that caused the injuries

However, due to the life-altering effects that a spinal cord injury can have, settlements often range into six and seven figures to provide injury victims with compensation for their future anticipated losses and needs.

How a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help

Your primary focus after suffering a spinal cord injury should be getting treatment. However, you have only a limited time to pursue legal claims to recover compensation after suffering a spinal cord injury. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, let New Jersey spinal cord injury attorney Steven Ellman help you by:

  • Thoroughly investigating the facts and circumstances of the accident that caused your spinal cord injury, recovering evidence he can use to build your case.
  • Identifying the parties who might be liable for your losses and determining the extent of insurance coverage or other financial resources available to compensate you.
  • Documenting your injury, prognosis, and ongoing and future estimated losses to ensure he pursues the maximum compensation you deserve in your case.
  • Discussing your legal options with you and understanding your needs and goals in your case so that you are informed about what to expect at each stage of the claims process.
  • Aggressively pursuing the full compensation you need as efficiently as possible through a negotiated settlement.
  • Taking your claims to court and trial if at-fault parties won’t agree to a fair settlement and advocating your case to the judge and jury to fight for a verdict in your favor.

Contact the Law Office of Steven Ellman, a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm

Reach out to the Law Office of Steven Ellman today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll be able to discuss the options in your case with Steven Ellman, a knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer in New Jersey. Don’t wait another day. Call now to begin pursuing the financial recovery and resources you need to rebuild your life after a devastating spine injury.