Reviewed by Mazie Slater’s specialized spinal cord injury laywer [David A. Mazie – Managing Partner of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman]

A spinal cord injury can be devastating and life-altering, affecting not only the victim but their entire family. Whether resulting from a motor vehicle accident, workplace injury, slip and fall, defective product, or medical malpractice, these catastrophic injuries often lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, respiratory complications, and numerous other serious medical conditions. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, with victims facing millions of dollars in lifetime medical expenses, loss of income, and dramatically reduced quality of life. At Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, our experienced New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyers understand the profound impact these injuries have on victims and their families. We are committed to fighting aggressively to secure the maximum compensation needed to cover not only immediate medical costs but also the lifetime of care and support that spinal cord injury victims require.

When you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic spinal cord injury in New Jersey, selecting the right legal representation can determine whether you receive adequate compensation. Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman delivers the specialized expertise, proven results, and comprehensive resources essential for maximizing recovery in complex spinal cord injury cases throughout New Jersey.

Our track record speaks for itself, with billions of dollars recovered for clients throughout New Jersey and some of the largest personal injury verdicts and settlements in state history. Below are some of our successes in spinal cord/paralysis lawsuits, which are unmatched by any other law firm:

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman’s work on complex personal injury and car accident cases that include spinal injuries has earned consistent recognition among the top personal injury law firms in both New Jersey and across the nation:

The spinal cord is one of the most vital and delicate structures in the human body, serving as the primary pathway for nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Made up of 33 segments housed within the protective bones of the spine, the spinal cord controls virtually every aspect of bodily function, including movement, sensation, breathing, blood pressure regulation, bladder and bowel control, and temperature regulation. When the spinal cord experiences trauma from an external force such as a blow, compression, or penetration, it can result in permanent damage to these nerve pathways. Unlike most tissues in the body, the specialized nervous tissue of the spinal cord does not regenerate after injury, meaning that spinal cord damage is often irreversible and permanent. Even partial damage to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences, affecting a victim’s motor skills, sensory functions, and potentially causing partial or total paralysis.

According to national data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 18,400 new spinal cord injuries are sustained each year in America, with an estimated 308,600 people currently living with spinal cord injuries in the United States. In New Jersey specifically, the New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research (NJCSCR) approximates that 6,000 residents live with a spinal cord injury and roughly 500 residents experience a new spinal cord injury each year. Even more specifically, the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), which serves Northern and Central New Jersey, treats over 100 newly injured persons with traumatic SCI annually and provides outpatient follow-up to over 1,500 persons with chronic SCI per year.

Spinal cord injuries can result from all types of incidents, with the following being the most common causes that often lead to spinal cord lawsuits:

Auto accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, cause 38% of all traumatic spinal injuries, making them the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.

Slip and Falls are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries, causing 32%. These often involve premises liability because property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If they fail to address known or foreseeable hazards, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.

15% of all spinal injuries are caused by acts of violence, which include assaults, gunshot wounds, and knife attacks.

Recreational activities, especially high-impact sports, diving accidents, and injuries from defective sports equipment, are the fourth leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the US.

Errors during surgery or other medical procedures involving the back and neck are another common cause of spinal cord injuries. Examples include:

Faulty safety equipment, vehicle components, or other products that fail to protect as intended can lead to devastating spinal cord injuries. If a faulty product, such as a defective seat belt or airbag, caused your spinal cord injury, you might have a claim against the product designer, manufacturer, or retailer. 

Each case requires a thorough investigation by an experienced back injury lawyer to determine liability and pursue appropriate compensation for the victim.

Spinal cord injuries are classified into two main categories based on the extent of damage. 

This occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed or so severely damaged that no nerve signals can pass through, resulting in total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site.

An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some nerve pathways remain intact, allowing some messages to travel between the brain and body below the injury location. With an incomplete injury, the victim may retain some sensation, movement, or function below the injury site, though it will likely be impaired.

The symptoms experienced by spinal cord injury victims depend heavily on the location and severity of the damage. However, there are numerous common symptoms and complications that affect many victims.

Specifically, victims who are paralyzed become severely depressed and feel helpless. That’s why spinal injury is among the most devastating because of the toll they take on a person and their family. Treatments will be ongoing and expensive, which can cause tremendous strain. It’s important to have an experienced quadriplegic or paraplegic accident lawyer to help you understand what you need for your future.

Determining liability in spinal cord injury cases requires establishing that another party’s negligence directly caused your injury. Our experienced New Jersey spinal cord injury attorneys know how to investigate these complex cases and identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation.

Establishing liability often requires proving negligence, which involves demonstrating that:

Here are a few examples of people who could be held liable for your spinal injury depending on how your injury happened.

The first step to pursuing a spinal cord injury lawsuit is to seek immediate medical attention to ensure a thorough evaluation of your injuries, as this documentation is vital for your case. Afterward, it’s essential to consult with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney who can assess the strength of your claim and guide you through the legal process. Your spinal cord injury lawyer will gather all of the necessary evidence, including medical records, accident reports and witness statements, to build a compelling case. We will also identify the parties responsible for your injury and calculate the full extent of your damages, which may include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. Once your case is prepared, your back injury attorney will file the lawsuit and negotiate with the opposing party to seek a fair settlement. If negotiations do not yield satisfactory results, we will be ready to take your case to trial.

An experienced New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyer can provide crucial assistance in several ways:

By hiring a skilled New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyer, you significantly improve your chances of receiving fair and full compensation for your injuries and losses.

The value of a back injury lawsuit can vary widely based on several key factors:

Many spinal cord legal cases result in substantial settlements. Each case is unique, and the final compensation will depend on individual circumstances and the strength of the evidence presented.

We have knowledgeable spinal cord accident attorneys for Newark spinal cord lawsuits, Jersey City spinal cord lawsuits, and everywhere in between, ready to help you get a settlement.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia or other spinal injuries due to a car accident, bus accident, truck accident, automobile or other motor vehicle accident in New Jersey, please contact the aggressive spinal cord injury lawyers at the New Jersey law firm of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your back injury lawsuit.