Suffering a spinal cord injury is a life-altering event. The New York City personal injury lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf understand the immense challenges faced by individuals and families after such devastating trauma. With a proven track record of securing record-setting verdicts and settlements, our experienced Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those who have suffered due to negligence.
Our firm has a long history of achieving exceptional results for clients with spinal cord injuries. Attorney Ben Rubinowitz secured a landmark $71 million verdict for a young woman who sustained a lumbar spine fracture in a car accident – one of the highest spinal injury verdicts in US history. This case exemplifies our commitment to pursuing maximum compensation for our clients.
Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has consistently delivered justice for spinal cord injury victims, including:
- Record-Breaking Verdict: The highest spinal cord injury verdict in New York State in 2017 – the aforementioned $71 million award. This was also recognized as the second-highest verdict across all personal injury categories in NY that year.
- $20 Million Verdict: Secured in 2019 for a 57-year-old man who suffered a spinal cord injury after being struck by a police vehicle.
- $28 Million Settlement: Obtained for a 21-year-old man paralyzed in a tragic SUV accident. He was a passenger in a Range Rover that crashed.
- $6.1 Million Settlement: Recovered in a complex case involving a car accident, a herniated disc, and subsequent medical malpractice during surgery.
These results demonstrate our unwavering dedication and expertise in handling complex spinal cord injury cases. If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury, our spinal cord injuries lawyers are here to provide the experienced legal representation you need.
Understanding the Devastating Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are frequently permanent and always life-changing. The impact extends beyond the injured individual, profoundly affecting their families as well. Whether resulting in paralysis or other significant impairments, these injuries are often the direct consequence of someone else’s negligence. Common causes we see include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are leading causes of spinal cord injuries.
- Surgical Errors: Negligence during surgery can lead to severe and irreversible spinal cord damage.
- Birth Injuries: Trauma during childbirth can sometimes result in spinal cord injuries in newborns.
- Public Transportation Accidents: Subway and train accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, including to the spine.
- Construction Site Mishaps: Dangerous conditions and accidents on construction sites frequently lead to serious spinal injuries.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Falls, particularly for older adults, can result in spinal fractures and cord damage.
- Playground Accidents: Injuries on playgrounds, especially involving children, can have long-term consequences.
- Chemical Exposure: Exposure to toxic chemicals can, in some cases, damage the nervous system, including the spinal cord.
- Defective Products: Malfunctioning or poorly designed products can cause accidents resulting in spinal cord injuries.
- Machinery Failures: Accidents involving machinery, especially in industrial settings, can lead to severe trauma.
If you believe your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, it is crucial to consult with a spinal cord injuries lawyer to understand your legal options.
Choosing the Right Spinal Cord Injury Attorney: Experience Matters
Quadriplegia and paraplegia are catastrophic injuries that profoundly impact the central nervous system. Victims of these injuries require legal representation from attorneys with in-depth knowledge and extensive experience to secure the compensation they deserve. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our spinal cord injuries lawyers possess the specialized expertise necessary to handle these complex cases.
The spinal cord and brain are the core components of the central nervous system, regulating crucial bodily functions. A comprehensive understanding of motor and sensory function is paramount in effectively advocating for victims of spinal cord injuries, whether they experience paralysis or paresis (muscle weakness).
Our firm distinguishes itself through:
- Extensive Experience: Our attorneys have decades of experience specifically handling spinal cord injury cases in New York.
- Proven Track Record: We have consistently secured some of the highest awards in the nation for our clients, demonstrating our ability to achieve exceptional outcomes.
- Recognized Expertise: Our lawyers are frequently invited to lecture and teach other attorneys at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs across the United States, sharing our knowledge and expertise in this specialized field.
When choosing a spinal cord injuries lawyer, prioritize experience, a proven track record, and a deep understanding of the medical and legal complexities involved.
How a Spinal Injury Attorney Can Fight for Your Rights
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we meticulously prepare every spinal cord injury case to comprehensively address the victim’s present and future medical and financial needs. From the outset, we assemble a dedicated team of legal and medical experts to thoroughly investigate, document, and articulate the critical aspects of liability and damages in your case.
Our approach includes:
- Expert Collaboration: We consult with nationally recognized specialists in healthcare, medicine, and life care planning to ensure our clients receive full and fair compensation covering all aspects of their injuries.
- Life Care Planning: For cases involving paraplegia or quadriplegia, we collaborate with life care planners and physical rehabilitation experts (physiatrists) to develop detailed plans that address the long-term physical, medical, and daily living needs of the victim. These plans encompass current and future nursing care, medical equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing medical care.
- Economic Analysis: We engage economists to analyze and quantify the financial implications of the life care plan, projecting medical costs, accounting for inflation, and ensuring all future expenses are considered.
- Trial-Ready Approach: Our experienced trial attorneys are adept at presenting complex medical and financial information to juries in a clear and understandable manner, maximizing your chances of a successful outcome at trial.
Our commitment is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible to address your immediate and long-term needs after a spinal cord injury. Contact a dedicated spinal cord injuries lawyer at our firm for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries: Anatomy and Impact
Spinal cord injuries affect millions of Americans each year, with hundreds of thousands living with the long-term consequences. Injuries to the neck (cervical spine) or back (lumbar spine) can cause severe damage to the spinal cord, often resulting in permanent and catastrophic disabilities.
The spinal cord serves as the central communication pathway for signals throughout the body. An injury to this vital structure can range from a simple bruise (contusion) to a partial or complete tear. Even a mild contusion can lead to temporary loss of function below the injury site. A complete transection, or severing, of the spinal cord results in permanent and total loss of sensation and movement below the level of injury.
The Spinal Column: A Framework of Vertebrae
The spinal column, also known as the vertebral column, is a flexible structure composed of individual bone segments called vertebrae. It provides support and protection for the spinal cord. The spinal column is divided into distinct regions:
- Cervical Vertebrae (Neck): Seven vertebrae in the neck region.
- Thoracic Vertebrae (Chest): Twelve vertebrae in the chest area.
- Lumbar Vertebrae (Back): Five vertebrae in the lower back.
- Sacrum: Located at the base of the lumbar spine, composed of five fused vertebrae.
- Coccyx (Tailbone): Formed by four to five fused bony segments at the very end of the spine.
Components of a Vertebra
Each vertebra is comprised of several key components:
- Vertebral Body: The main, weight-bearing portion of the vertebra, located at the front (anterior) of the spinal cord.
- Neural Arch: The bony arch located behind (posterior) the vertebral body and on either side of the spinal cord, protecting the spinal cord.
- Pedicles: Bony projections that connect the neural arch to the vertebral body on each side.
- Facets: Joints located on the neural arches that allow movement between vertebrae. Superior facets articulate with the vertebra above, and inferior facets articulate with the vertebra below.
- Laminae: Flat plates of bone extending from the facets towards the midline of the neural arch.
- Spinous Process: A bony projection extending backward from the midline of the neural arch, serving as an attachment point for ligaments and muscles.
Intervertebral Discs: Cushions Between Vertebrae
Intervertebral discs are crucial structures located between adjacent vertebral bodies from the second cervical vertebra down to the sacrum. They act as shock absorbers and provide flexibility to the spine. Each disc has two main parts:
- Annulus Fibrosis: The tough outer ring of the disc, composed of layers of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage. It surrounds the nucleus pulposus and provides strength and stability.
- Nucleus Pulposus: The gel-like inner core of the disc, providing cushioning and flexibility.
A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus protrudes through a tear or weakness in the annulus fibrosis. Depending on the location and direction of the herniation (anterior or posterior), the nucleus pulposus can press on spinal nerve roots, causing pain and neurological symptoms. Trauma, such as car accidents or construction accidents, can cause herniated discs. Posterior herniations are particularly problematic as they can compress spinal nerve roots, leading to severe pain, disability, and potentially requiring surgery.
The spinal cord injuries lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf are dedicated to helping accident victims who have suffered spinal cord damage. Our firm is committed to recovering full and fair compensation for you and your family. We understand the medical, physical, economic, and emotional challenges associated with spinal cord injuries.
To learn more about your legal rights and how we can help, contact a New York spinal cord injury lawyer at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Disclaimer: Please note that the results achieved in past cases do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and depends on its specific facts and circumstances. We cannot guarantee a particular result in any legal matter. Case results and testimonials on this site represent outcomes in specific cases and do not constitute a warranty or prediction about the outcome of any other case.
