Pittsburgh Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

When you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, the impact can be felt in every aspect of your daily life. Whether caused by a car accident, motorcycle collision, a truck rollover accident, or a fall at a jobsite, you deserve to be compensated. The Pittsburgh spinal cord injury lawyers at Berger and Green have helped many people who have been severely injured recover compensation for all of their losses.

Back injuries can take years to recover from and are often permanent injuries, and they require intense care and treatment. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you need an attorney who understands the seriousness of the injury and the emotional and financial cost. At Berger and Green, our serious and catastrophic injury lawyers have experience recovering the damages for spinal cord injury victims. Let us help you today with a free consultation.

We Take on Cases Involving Many Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are among the most devastating and life-altering physical traumas a person can experience. Their impact extends far beyond immediate physical effects, influencing emotional well-being, financial stability, and overall quality of life. When caused by another party’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer becomes an essential advocate in helping SCI victims seek the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
Our personal injury lawyers have helped people with many forms of back and neck injuries caused by another party’s negligence. Some of the injuries we’ve helped victims seek damages for include:

• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Compression Fractures
• Bulging Discs
• Herniated Discs
• Soft Tissue Damage
• Broken Necks
• Whiplash
• Hyperextension Injuries
• Chronic Pain

The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury on Victims

Spinal cord injuries often result in varying degrees of paralysis, with the effects depending on the severity and location of the injury. Victims may also suffer from chronic pain, loss of sensation, and complications like respiratory issues, bowel and bladder dysfunction, or involuntary muscle spasms. SCIs can also lead to secondary health problems, such as infections, cardiovascular complications, and pressure sores. Even less severe SCIs can cause lifelong pain and physical limitations.

The emotional toll of an SCI is equally profound. Many victims face depression, anxiety, and difficulty adjusting to their new limitations, often accompanied by feelings of social isolation. The abrupt lifestyle changes and loss of independence can strain personal relationships, particularly with close family members and caregivers.

The financial repercussions of an SCI are overwhelming. Victims are often burdened with significant medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapies. They may face substantial income loss due to their inability to work, combined with the costs of home modifications, assistive devices, and in-home care. These expenses can quickly become unmanageable without legal intervention.

No matter what the impact is on your life, Berger and Green will seek compensation for all your losses.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Pittsburgh

Spinal cord injuries frequently result from accidents caused by negligence or unsafe conditions. Our firm has attorneys who can help with many types of claims, including:

• Ccar accidents: One of the leading causes of SCIs is motor vehicle accidents, including collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. High-impact crashes, such as head-on collisions or truck accidents, often lead to catastrophic spinal injuries. These incidents are frequently tied to negligent behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving, creating clear liability for at-fault parties.
• Slip and falls: Another major contributor to SCIs is slip and fall accidents, often stemming from unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. Hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poorly maintained staircases, or icy sidewalks can cause falls, leading to severe spinal injuries. Premises liability laws hold property owners responsible for addressing hazards and maintaining safe environments, whether the injury occurs in a store, rental property, or public space.
• Work injury: Workplace accidents also account for a significant number of spinal cord injuries, particularly in high-risk industries like construction, warehousing, and manufacturing. Falls from heights, machinery malfunctions, or falling objects can result in severe trauma. While workers’ compensation provides some relief, victims may also have third-party claims, such as against equipment manufacturers for defective machinery.

Legal representation is essential in pursuing compensation, ensuring accountability for negligent drivers, property owners, or other responsible parties. By addressing both the immediate and long-term impacts of the injury, victims can secure the financial support needed to rebuild their lives. No matter the cause of the injury, Berger and Green will work to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Liability and Negligence in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

In spinal cord injury cases, proving liability and negligence is essential to secure compensation for victims. Liability arises when a party’s actions—or failure to act—create conditions that result in harm. The victim must show that the liable party owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the injury through their breach. Liability for a spinal cord injury can fall on various parties, including:

• Other Motorists: Drivers who cause car, truck, or motorcycle accidents through negligent behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
• Employers or Contractors: Workplace incidents, especially in construction or industrial environments, may involve liability from employers who fail to provide safe conditions or contractors responsible for maintaining equipment.
• Property Owners or Managers: Premises liability claims may arise if unsafe conditions, like wet floors, defective staircases, or icy sidewalks, lead to slip and fall accidents.
• Product Manufacturers: In cases where defective machinery, tools, or vehicles contribute to an SCI, the manufacturer or distributor of the faulty product can be held accountable.
• Municipal Entities: Government agencies may be liable for accidents caused by poorly maintained roads, unmarked hazards, or unsafe public infrastructure.

Comparative Negligence in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system when determining liability in personal injury cases, including those involving spinal cord injuries. Per Pa. C.S.A. § 7102, a victim’s ability to recover damages depends on their percentage of fault in causing the accident.

• Victims can recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault for the incident.
• However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if a victim is awarded $100,000 but is found to be 20% at fault, they would receive $80,000.
• A victim may be barred from recovering damages if they are deemed more than 50% at fault.

Understanding liability and comparative negligence is critical in spinal cord injury cases. A Pittsburgh SCI attorney from our firm can assess fault, identify all responsible parties, and will work to ensure your compensation reflects the full scope of your damages while minimizing reductions due to comparative negligence.

Act Quickly to Seek Damages for Your SCI

The Pennsylvania statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the injury per Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. This means victims must initiate legal action within this timeframe, or they risk losing their right to pursue compensation.
Acting quickly is crucial, as delays can jeopardize the collection of evidence, witness accounts, and other critical details necessary to build a strong case. Insurance companies and opposing parties often use delays to their advantage, weakening a victim’s ability to prove negligence and damages.

Hiring a lawyer promptly after an accident ensures that deadlines are met, evidence is preserved, and the victim’s rights are protected. Lawyers can investigate the circumstances of the injury, identify all liable parties, and negotiate with insurers to secure a fair settlement.

Call Our Pittsburgh Team Now for Help With a Spinal Injury Accident

When negligence leaves you with a painful and costly back injury, we urge you to call Berger and Green. A Pittsburgh spinal cord injury attorney with our firm is ready to hold the at-fault party accountable for your losses.