Spine & Spinal Cord Injury Claims Throughout Los Angeles and Southern California

Quick Answer: A spinal cord injury is one of the most catastrophic and expensive injuries a person can suffer, because the damage is frequently permanent and the lifetime cost of care can reach into the millions. In California, if your spinal cord or vertebral injury was caused by another party’s negligence — a negligent driver, a dangerous property condition, or a defective product — you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical care, lost earnings, future life-care costs, and pain and suffering. California follows a

pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover even if you were partially at fault. Claims for personal injury generally must be filed within two years (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1), and as little as six months when a government entity is involved. Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC has recovered millions for clients with spine and spinal cord injuries — including a $2,000,000 recovery for a client who required spinal fusion surgery. Call 866-966-5240 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Steven M. Sweat for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Spinal cord injury cases are among the highest-value and most aggressively defended claims in California personal injury law. The difference between an adequate settlement and a life-changing recovery often comes down to whether your attorney understands the medicine, the lifetime cost framework, and the insurance tactics used to minimize these claims. Steven M. Sweat has more than 30 years of experience representing seriously injured Californians and their families throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

• 30+ years of dedicated California personal injury and wrongful death practice.
• Super Lawyers recognition every year since 2012, an Avvo 10.0 rating, and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 membership.
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum member — a distinction reserved for attorneys who have secured million-dollar-plus results.
• Contingency-fee representation: no fee unless we win. Free consultations, and se habla español.

As a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer, Steven Sweat handles the motor vehicle collisions that cause roughly half of all spinal cord injuries — and our firm represents spinal injury victims across every other major accident type as well, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and slip and fall and other premises liability incidents.

Verified Spine & Spinal Cord Injury Results

The following are actual recoveries our firm has obtained in spine and spinal cord injury matters. (See our full verdicts and settlements for additional results.)

Past results do not guarantee or predict the outcome of any future case. Every matter is evaluated on its own facts.

Understanding Spinal Cord and Vertebral Injuries

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves protected by 33 vertebrae — the bones of the vertebral column. The force and location of an impact determine the severity of the injury. The column is divided into regions, and where the damage occurs largely dictates the degree of disability and, ultimately, the value of the claim.

• Cervical spine (C1–C8): The neck region, where the brain and spinal cord meet. Injuries here are the most severe and produce the highest lifetime care costs. High cervical injuries can affect breathing and require mechanical ventilation. Commonly injured in rear-end collisions and falls.
• Thoracic spine (T1–T12): The mid-back region. Fractures and herniations here are less common but can cause radiating pain and, in severe cases, paralysis of the lower body (paraplegia).
• Lumbar spine (L1–L5): The lower back, which bears significant load and is highly vulnerable in auto collisions and falls. Disc herniations here often cause sciatica — pain and numbness radiating into the buttocks, legs, and feet.
• Sacrum and coccyx: The base of the spine. The spinal cord itself ends above this region, but the nerve roots that exit here can be injured by a hard fall or direct blow to the tailbone.

Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Clinicians classify spinal cord injuries as either complete or incomplete, and this distinction is one of the two most important drivers of case value. In a complete injury, all motor and sensory function below the level of injury is permanently lost. In an incomplete injury, some function is preserved — and the degree of preserved function varies enormously. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale grades injuries from A (complete) through E (normal), giving the medical and legal teams a common framework for documenting severity and prognosis.

Complete injuries can result in tetraplegia (quadriplegia) — loss of function in all four limbs — or paraplegia, the loss of function in the lower body and legs. Incomplete injury patterns include anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, and Brown-Séquard syndrome. Less catastrophic but still serious spinal injuries include herniated discs, nerve impingement, and cervical vertebrae fractures and disc herniation.

Physicians grade the severity of a spinal cord injury using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, from A (complete) through E (normal). The ASIA grade is one of the most important pieces of medical evidence in a spinal injury claim because it documents both the current severity and the long-term prognosis that drive the life-care plan and the value of the case.

Source: American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. Used by clinicians to classify the severity of spinal cord injury.

Symptoms and Long-Term Complications of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury symptoms vary widely with the level and completeness of the injury, and some are immediate while others develop over hours, days, or even years. Because emergency-room X-rays often miss soft-tissue and cord damage, any of the following symptoms after a traumatic event should be evaluated promptly by a specialist — both for your health and to document the injury for your claim:

• Loss of movement — weakness or complete paralysis in the arms, legs, or trunk below the level of injury.
• Loss of sensation — numbness, tingling, or loss of the ability to feel touch, temperature, or pain below the injury site.
• Difficulty breathing — high cervical injuries may impair the muscles used to breathe and can require ventilator support.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control — disruption of the nerves controlling these functions, leading to partial or total incontinence and a high risk of infection.
• Chronic neuropathic pain — burning, stabbing, or radiating pain (radiculopathy) at and below the injury level.
• Spasticity — involuntary muscle spasms and stiffness that can interfere with daily activities and sleep.

Beyond the initial injury, spinal cord injuries frequently produce serious secondary complications that drive lifetime cost and must be accounted for when valuing a claim. These include:

• Autonomic dysreflexia — a potentially life-threatening spike in blood pressure that can occur with injuries above the mid-thoracic level and requires lifelong management.
• Pressure injuries (bedsores) — a constant risk for patients with limited mobility, often requiring repeated treatment and hospitalization.
• Respiratory and urinary tract infections — among the most common recurring complications and a leading cause of re-hospitalization.
• Blood clots, bone density loss, and chronic depression — each adding to the medical, psychological, and economic burden over a lifetime.

These complications are precisely the future costs insurers try to minimize. Our firm retains life-care planners and medical experts to document the full lifetime picture — not just the bills incurred to date.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury in California

Roughly half of all new spinal cord injuries each year arise from motor vehicle collisions. Other frequent causes include:

• Automobile accidents — the single most common cause of traumatic SCI.
• Motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents, where riders have little protection against spinal trauma.
• Pedestrian accidents and collisions involving large commercial trucks.
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents — the leading cause of SCI for victims over age 65.
• Acts of violence, sports injuries, and defective or dangerous products.

How Much Is a California Spinal Cord Injury Claim Worth?

There is no single average, because spinal injury values span an enormous range driven by the level and completeness of the injury. Catastrophic spinal cord injury claims in California frequently fall in the $2,000,000 to $30,000,000+ range, while serious but non-paralytic spinal injuries — surgical disc herniations and fusions — commonly resolve in the six-figure range. For a detailed breakdown by injury level and completeness, see our guide on spinal cord injury settlement values in California, and for an overview of how value is assessed in your specific case, how much is my spine injury claim worth.

Compensable damages in a spinal injury claim typically include:

• Medical expenses — past and future, including surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation.
• Lifetime care costs — the life-care plan is the financial backbone of a catastrophic SCI case, covering attendant care, durable medical equipment, home modifications, and ongoing therapy.
• Lost income and loss of earning capacity — often a major component for younger, working-age victims.
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life — the non-economic harm, which is frequently the largest element in a severe case.

Related valuation guides may help you understand where a less severe spinal injury falls: herniated disc settlement values, lower back injury settlement values, and our overview of the average personal injury settlement in California. When surgical stabilization is required, see also spinal fusion surgery due to trauma and lumbar spine injuries.

California Comparative Fault and the Statute of Limitations

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule (Civil Code § 1714). You can recover compensation even if you were partly responsible — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $1,000,000, you recover $800,000. Insurers routinely try to inflate the injured person’s share of blame to cut their exposure; understanding how comparative fault works is essential to protecting the full value of your claim.

Most California personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). When a government entity is involved — a city, county, or state agency such as a public transit operator or Caltrans — a formal claim generally must be filed within six months. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your recovery, so it is critical to consult an attorney promptly.

Proving a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Spinal injuries are won or lost on the medical evidence. X-rays taken in the emergency room reveal only “hard tissue” injuries such as fractures. Soft-tissue damage — herniated discs, nerve impingement, and spinal cord compression — usually requires MRI or CT imaging and follow-up evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon. Delaying that follow-up gives insurers an opening to argue your injury was minor or pre-existing.

Because a release signed with an insurer settles both present and future claims, it is essential to fully understand the long-term prognosis before resolving the case. Our firm coordinates with treating physicians and retains life-care planners and economists to document the true lifetime cost of a catastrophic spinal injury — the figures insurers most want to suppress.

How Insurance Companies Defend Spinal Injury Claims

• “Pre-existing condition” arguments. Insurers seize on age-related degeneration to claim your symptoms predate the accident. California law allows recovery when a defendant aggravates a pre-existing condition — and we have recovered substantial sums in exactly those cases.
• Low early offers. Adjusters often call within days, before the full extent of a disc or cord injury is diagnosed, with a “quick” offer far below true value.
• Recorded statements. Giving a recorded statement to the opposing insurer before you have counsel is a frequent and costly mistake.
• Surveillance and social media. Defense teams monitor injured plaintiffs to argue their limitations are exaggerated.

Catastrophic and Fatal Spinal Cord Injuries

High cervical spinal cord injuries can be fatal or require lifelong ventilator support. When a spinal injury results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for their losses. Spinal cord injuries also frequently accompany traumatic brain injuries; when both are present, the combined damages can be extraordinary and demand an attorney experienced in catastrophic-injury litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in California?

Generally two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a formal claim. Because these deadlines are strict and shorter exceptions exist, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

What is my spinal cord injury case worth?

It depends primarily on the level and completeness of the injury, the lifetime cost of care, lost earning capacity, and the strength of liability. Catastrophic SCI cases in California often range from $2 million to well over $30 million, while surgical disc and fusion cases commonly resolve in the six figures. See our spinal cord injury settlement values guide for detailed ranges.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule lets you recover even if you share fault; your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

The insurance company offered me a settlement already. Should I take it?

Be cautious. Early offers typically arrive before the full extent of a spinal injury is known and almost always understate the claim’s value. Accepting releases all future claims — including future medical needs. Have an attorney evaluate the offer first.

What if my back pain was diagnosed weeks after the accident?

Delayed-onset symptoms are common with spinal injuries, and emergency-room X-rays often miss soft-tissue damage. Prompt follow-up with a specialist and MRI imaging both protects your health and documents the injury for your claim.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

Nothing up front. We handle spinal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis — you owe no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are free.

Do you handle cases throughout Southern California?

Yes. We represent spinal cord and spine injury victims across Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the surrounding Southern California region, with bilingual English/Spanish service.

Speak With a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord or spine injury caused by another’s negligence, get experienced help now. Call 866-966-5240 (Los Angeles: 310-592-0445) for a free, no-obligation consultation, or

contact us online. There is no fee unless we win your case. Se habla español. You can also learn more about our full range of personal injury services.