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Eugene Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Find out why we have some of the best Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys
Eugene Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injuries are among the most difficult to cope with. They require a full lifestyle change, expensive therapies, and ongoing appointments. They can put you at risk for complications down the line, too. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury as the result of someone else’s actions, our Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys can help.
You might be entitled to heavy compensation for your suffering, and Goldberg & Loren is here to help you fight for it. We have helped people affected by spinal cord injuries get their rightful pay for three decades. Call us now at (503) 746-8808 and set up a free consultation.
Our Verdicts and Settlements
Settlement
A 45-year-old resident of Eugene faced a life-altering situation after a car accident that required emergency surgery. A medical error during the procedure resulted in additional nerve damage, leaving him quadriplegic.
February 2024
Settlement
A 34-year-old Eugene resident suffered a severe spinal cord injury resulting in partial paralysis after a semi-truck rear-ended his vehicle on Interstate 5 near Eugene.
June 2024
Settlement
A 27-year-old cyclist sustained a spinal cord injury leading to permanent loss of mobility in her lower extremities after striking an unmarked pothole on a Eugene city bike path.
November 2024
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury is a life-altering condition that occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of function and sensation below the level of the injury.
Approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States. It’s estimated that 302,000 people living in the United States have experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury. [1]
Spinal cord injuries can be classified into two main categories: complete and incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury refers to a total loss of function and sensation below the injury site. Meaning the individual will have no voluntary movement or feeling in the affected areas.
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that there is some level of preserved function or sensation below the level of injury. The degree of impairment can vary widely depending on the location and severity of the injury.
What Are The Common Causes of Eugene Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal injuries can be a result of varying accidents. The impact or blunt force trauma suffered by the spine can damage it. However, a person bending or twisting unnaturally can also cause spinal damage.
However, there are a few different causes of spinal cord injuries, including:
- Acts of Violence: Spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of intentional acts of violence, including gunshot wounds, assaults, or domestic abuse.
- Auto Accidents: Motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, car accidents, collisions with people on bicycles or pedestrians can all result in spinal cord injuries.
- Falls: Falls account for a significant number of spinal cord injuries. Falls from heights, off of buildings, or falls downstairs can all result in spinal cord damage.
- Diving Accidents: If there are no signs stating that the water is too shallow for diving, a pool owner may be held accountable for a spinal cord injury that resulted from a diving incident.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, unfortunately, can result in spinal cord injuries.
If your spinal cord injury was due to one or more of these causes, our experienced Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys can help you take legal action against the responsible side.
Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Some common symptoms associated with spinal cord injuries, include:
- Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction: Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the normal functioning of the bowel and bladder. This can result in loss of control over bowel movements and urinary incontinence. Individuals may require catheterization or other interventions to manage these functions. [2]
- Changes in Sexual Function: Spinal cord injuries can impact sexual function, leading to changes in fertility, sexual desire, and performance. These changes can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on individuals and their relationships.
- Impaired Breathing and Coughing: Depending on the level of the injury, damage to the spinal cord can affect the muscles involved in breathing and coughing. This can lead to respiratory complications, such as difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, or the need for assistance with breathing.
- Loss of Sensation: One of the most apparent symptoms of a spinal cord injury is a loss of sensation or feeling below the site of the injury. This may be mild numbness to complete loss of sensation, making it challenging for individuals to detect pain, temperature, or touch.
- Loss of Motor Function: Motor function refers to the ability to control voluntary movements of the muscles. Injuries to the spinal cord can disrupt this control, resulting in weakness or complete loss of function in affected areas. This can make it difficult for individuals to walk, grasp objects, or perform other daily tasks.
- Loss of Reflexes: Reflexes are automatic responses triggered by specific stimuli, such as a doctor tapping the knee to test the knee-jerk reflex. Spinal cord injuries can interfere with these reflexes, leading to abnormal or absent responses.
- Paralysis: Spinal cord injuries often result in partial or complete paralysis below the level of the injury. Depending on the location of the damage, individuals may experience paraplegia, which involves the loss of function in the lower limbs, or quadriplegia, which affects the arms and legs.
If you are suffering from these symptoms, you can sue for compensation against the party responsible for your spinal cord injury. So, contact our Eugene spinal cord injury lawyers to plan the next steps.
Table of Contents
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Eugene Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
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Our Verdicts and Settlements
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What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
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What Are the Common Causes of Eugene Spinal Cord Injuries?
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Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
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Compensation Available for a Spinal Cord Injury in Eugene
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Liability For Spinal Cord Injuries in Eugene
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How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Oregon?
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Eugene Resources
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us - Client Reviews
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Why Choose Goldberg & Loren’s Eugene Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
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FAQs
Compensation Available for a Spinal Cord Injury in Eugene
Compensation for a spinal cord injury in Eugene can depend on the injury severity, circumstances, etc. It can also depend on the duration of the treatment and the time the victim spends off work.
Here are some compensation types for spinal cord injuries:
- Personal Injury Claims: A personal injury claim allows you to seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
- Medical Expenses: Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, assistive devices, physical therapy, and ongoing care. It may cover these medical expenses, both current and future.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Spinal cord injury victims often require long-term rehabilitation and therapy to regain function, improve independence, and adapt to their new circumstances.
- Lost Wages and Earning Potential: Compensation may include reimbursement for lost wages as well as recompense for decreased future earning potential.
- Home Modifications and Assistive Devices: Your claim may cover the costs of home modifications to make it accessible for individuals with spinal cord injuries, as well as the expenses associated with specialized equipment and assistive devices needed for daily living.
- Pain and Suffering: It may also include damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact and suffering caused by the spinal cord injury.
Goldberg & Loren’s spinal cord injury attorneys in Eugene aim for maximum compensation for you. We go all out to ensure you get paid for physical pain, emotional distress, and financial losses.
Liability For Spinal Cord Injuries in Eugene
The side liable for spinal cord injuries depends on the circumstances and accident. If a car accident causes a spinal cord injury, the opposing driver will be held accountable. If the injury occurred by slipping in a public place, then public departments might be held responsible.
Some of the most common liable parties in spinal injuries include the following:
- Healthcare Professionals: Medical malpractice is one of the leading reasons for spinal injuries. Either moving a person carelessly who has a suspected spinal cord or a mistake made during surgery could cause a spinal cord injury. These types of actions could make a hospital or healthcare professional liable.
- Motor Vehicle Drivers: Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for around 56% of all spinal cord injuries in Oregon. [3] In such cases, the negligent driver who causes the accident can be liable.
- Property Owners: Falls are another common cause of spinal injuries, accounting for around 25% of the recorded injuries. [4] In such cases, property owners whose negligence leads to such accidents can be held liable.
- Product Manufacturers: Defective products that cause spinal injuries can be held liable. This can include varying products like seatbelts in a car or unsafe medical devices.
- Public Entities: Governments can be responsible for injuries people suffer in public spaces, such as parks. If the injury occurs due to negligence of the public department, the local or state government can be held accountable.
If you have sustained SCI due to one of these liable parties, Goldberg & Loren can help you take them to court. Contact our Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys today and let us begin your legal action.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Oregon?
In Oregon, the Statute of Limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury to initiate a personal injury lawsuit. (ORS 12.110) This means that you have a limited timeframe to build a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Eugene spinal cord injury lawyers stay on top of these statutes of limitations and file a claim under the stipulated window. However, we suggest contacting our spinal cord injury attorneys immediately after you suffer such an injury.
Eugene Resources
Local Hospital & Urgent Care:
Spinal injuries can result in complications which require prompt medical treatment. Our Eugene clientele recommends the following medical facilities in the area:
McKenzie Medical Center – Springfield
Address: 1460 G St, Springfield, OR 97477
Phone: (541) 726-4400
BestMed Urgent Care
Address: 4040 W 11th Ave Suite B, Eugene, OR 97402
Phone: (458) 215-2311
Local Physical Therapy:
Spinal injuries may require attention from a physical therapist for a complete recovery. Our Eugene clientele recommends the following option:
Staszak Physical Therapy & Wellness Center
Address: 488 E 11th Ave #150a, Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: (541) 505-8180
*Note: We do not endorse these medical services and facilities. These are recommendations from our clients.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us - Client Reviews
Why Choose Goldberg & Loren’s Eugene Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
You should focus on your wellbeing after a spinal cord injury, and Goldberg & Loren prioritize that for you. While you seek the best medical providers and work on therapy, our local Eugene spinal cord injury lawyers fight for your legal rights and aim for max compensation.
Our spinal cord injury attorneys work daily to ensure your compensation matches your damages. We are available 24/7 to answer your legal questions. Both online appointments and in-person visits are available, so call our Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A spinal cord injury attorney can handle cases resulting from a variety of causes, including car accidents, falls, workplace accidents, medical negligence, sports injuries, and more. They can also handle cases involving a range of severity, from partial paralysis to complete paralysis.
They can investigate the circumstances of your injury, gather evidence, interview witnesses, consult with medical experts, assess the long-term impact of the injury, calculate the damages you are entitled to, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.
A spinal cord injury attorney can assist in navigating the insurance claims process, helping you receive the maximum coverage available under your policies. They can also help you apply for and obtain disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or private long-term disability benefits.
Sources:
[1] Team, S. (2020, December 3). Warning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion. Spinal Cord Inc. https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/2023-united-states-spinal-cord-injury-statistics
[2] Scott, T. (2023, April 5). Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Stats. United Spinal Association. https://unitedspinal.org/spinal-cord-injury-facts-and-stats/
[3] Information Files: A descriptive survey of persons with spinal cord injuries. (2023). Oregon Health & Science University – Digital Collections. https://digitalcollections.ohsu.edu/record/1609/files/2312_etd.pdf
[4] Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. (2013). PubMed – Causes of spinal cord injury. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236912903_Causes_of_Spinal_Cord_Injury
Goldberg & Loren
Phone: (503) 746-8808
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury and are seeking justice following your accident, reach out to our Eugene spinal cord injury attorneys today. We advocate for the compensation you truly deserve.
We Represent Those Who Have Experienced a Spinal Cord Injury in the Following Cities and Communities Near Eugene, Oregon.
- College Hill, OR
- Fairmount, OR
- Friendly Area, OR
- Harlow, WA
- Southeast Eugene
- Southwest Eugene
- Fox Hollow, WA
- North Gillman, OR
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