Scottsdale Spinal Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are severe injuries. They can leave victims with permanent disability and pain, even after they receive extensive medical treatment. If you suffered a spinal cord injury in Scottsdale, Arizona, Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., can help you seek the fair compensation you need to live your life to the fullest.

Our Scottsdale personal injury lawyers have 50 years of combined legal experience and a record of success handling spinal cord injury and other personal injury lawsuits. Contact our firm today for a consultation with a skilled Scottsdale spinal cord injury attorney about your case. We look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and explaining how we can help.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the nerves that run through the spinal column are damaged. The injury disrupts communication between the brain and parts of the body. These spinal injuries can cause chronic pain or partial or complete loss of sensation and mobility. The two main types of spinal cord injuries are:

• Complete – This injury occurs when the damage to the spinal cord results in total loss of function below the injury site, including paraplegia and quadriplegia.
• Incomplete – When damage to the spinal cord causes partial loss of function below the injury site. Victims may experience pain, tingling, or reduced motor control.

What Are Some Causes of Spinal Injury in Scottsdale?

Various types of accidents and traumatic events can cause spinal cord injuries. Some of the most common causes in Scottsdale include:

• Car accidents – The impact of a motor vehicle collision is strong enough to knock vertebrae out of alignment or cause them to fracture, leading to spinal cord damage. Even a low-speed rear-end collision can cause these injuries.
• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders are vulnerable to spinal injuries when other vehicles strike them and when they strike the pavement after a collision.
• Slip-and-fall accidents – Falls can result in significant spinal cord damage, particularly in older adults.
• Workplace accidents – Construction, warehouse, and other workers who lift heavy objects are at a higher risk of on-the-job back and neck injuries.
• Sports injuries – Contact sports like football and hockey put players at risk of suffering spinal injuries.
• Physical assaults – Assaults, including domestic violence, can lead to severe spinal injuries for victims.

What Are Different Levels of Spine Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries fall into four different levels depending on where the injury occurred along the spinal column:

• Cervical – The cervical vertebrae are in the neck. Damage to the spinal cord at this point can result in quadriplegia, which is the paralysis of all limbs.
• Thoracic – The thoracic vertebrae are in the upper and mid-back. Damage here can cause paraplegia, which is paralysis affecting the legs and lower body but not the arms.
• Lumbar spine – The lumbar vertebrae are in the lower back. Damage at this point can also cause paraplegia and impact mobility in the hips and legs.
• Sacral spine – The sacral vertebrae are at the base of the spine. Damage here may cause mobility loss in the legs. It is generally less severe than damage higher up the spine.

What Types of Damages Are Available for a Scottsdale Spinal Cord Accident Lawsuit?

Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for various losses suffered due to your spinal cord injury, including financial compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Wages you lost while undergoing treatment and recovering from your injury
• Wages and benefits you will lose because of your injury’s impact on your ability to work
• Accommodations for your permanent disability, including modifying your home or vehicle to be wheelchair accessible
• Physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced because of your injury.

What Factors Can Affect the Amount of Compensation I Could Receive?

Some of the primary factors that can affect the amount of compensation you could receive after a spinal cord injury are:

• Severity of your injuries, including whether they will require ongoing treatment or care
• Extent of your past and future medical expenses
• Impact of your injuries on your life, which makes it difficult to perform tasks
• Parties liable for your injuries
• Insurance policy limits of the parties liable for your injuries
• Degree of fault assigned to you for the accident.

What Happens If My Scottsdale Spinal Injuries Occurred at Work?

If you are an employee, workers’ compensation will typically cover your on-the-job injuries regardless of who is at fault. In exchange for this no-fault insurance, you cannot file an injury lawsuit against your employer. However, if you are not an employee or a third party caused your injury (i.e., someone other than your employer or a coworker), you can still file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Spinal Injury Claim in Arizona?

In Arizona, the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the injury date. However, victims have only 180 days to file their personal injury claim if the defendant is an Arizona government entity or employee. If the victim is a minor, the time limit starts on their 18th birthday.

Contact a Scottsdale Spinal Injury Lawyer

Our full-service law firm has over 50 years of combined legal experience and combines the personalized service of a small firm with the resources of a large firm. We provide comprehensive legal support in personal injury law, estate litigation, estate planning, divorce, guardianships/conservatorships, special needs and benefits planning, and real estate law.

If you suffered a spinal injury in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer about your case. We’ll review the incident that caused your injury, explain your options for seeking recovery, and walk you through the legal process.  Our goal will be to seek compensation that fully covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Visit Our Scottsdale Spinal Injury Law Offices