Have you suffered a spinal cord injury at the hands of someone else’s negligent actions or reckless behavior? It’s not unheard of for victims of these injuries to face catastrophic consequences, and they can profoundly affect every aspect of your life.
The road to recovery can be long, complicated, and expensive, but you’re not alone—let a San Antonio spinal cord injury lawyer help. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our lawyers have decades of combined experience.
Together, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for people just like you. We’re all about putting our clients first. Always! When you need someone to advocate for you, we’re here as your San Antonio personal injury lawyer. Let our family take care of your family.
What You Should Know About Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the central communication highway between the brain and the body. It is responsible for transmitting nerve signals that control movement, influence sensation, and make autonomic functions possible.
When your spinal cord is damaged, your body’s ability to transmit messages is disrupted, which often results in permanent impairments of various kinds. Spinal cord injuries are typically classified as one of the following:
- Complete: No function or sensation below the site of injury
- Incomplete: Some sensory or motor function remains below the site of injury
The effects of a spinal cord injury depend heavily on the level of injury:
- Cervical spine (C1–C8): This can result in quadriplegia or tetraplegia. It can affect your ability to breathe, move your arms and legs, or control your bladder and bowel movements.
- Thoracic spine (T1–T12): While this may result in paraplegia, it often affects the torso and lower body over other areas.
- Lumbar and sacral spine (L1–S5): This may result in your loss of function in the legs and hips to varying degrees. However, it often spares any detrimental effects to your upper-body functionality.
Spinal cord damage is usually permanent, and it typically requires lifelong medical care. This may include rehabilitation, personal assistance, adaptive technology, and home modifications.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in San Antonio
In Texas, spinal cord injuries can result from a wide range of accidents and incidents. Let’s take a look at the common causes of such an unfortunate outcome.
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Traffic crashes are a primary cause of spinal cord injuries. High-speed impacts can result in whiplash, fractured vertebrae, or direct damage to the spinal cord.
Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, rollovers, and motorcycle-related incidents are particularly dangerous for the spine. Texas laws aim to hold negligent drivers accountable when their actions lead to these injuries.
Commercial Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight, 18-wheelers and delivery trucks alike pose an elevated risk of spinal cord damage when collisions take place. Victims of truck crashes are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord trauma.
Liability for these circumstances may involve both the driver and the trucking company, though it all depends on the specifics of the situation.
Falls
Falls—especially from ladders, scaffolds, and stairs—are a leading cause of spinal injuries, particularly among older adults. In workplaces and public spaces, property owners may be found liable under Texas premises liability law if they fail to maintain safe conditions.
Workplace Accidents
Construction, oilfield, and industrial jobs in the area often carry a heightened risk of falling, being struck by heavy equipment, or suffering crush-related injuries.
Spinal trauma from incidents like these may be covered by workers’ compensation, though third-party claims might also arise if a contractor or equipment manufacturer was at fault.
Violence and Assault
Acts of violence—including shootings, stabbings, and assaults—can damage the spinal cord. In these cases, victims may seek compensation from liable parties through civil claims for assault and battery. It might be possible to do so against property owners as well.
Recreational and Sports Injuries
Sports like football, diving, or horseback riding can result in spinal cord damage due to high-impact collisions or falls. Liability in these cases may depend on the circumstances of the activity, the presence of waivers, and negligent supervision by a school, gym, or facility.
Determining Liability Under Texas Law
To pursue compensation for a spinal cord injury in Texas, the injured party, also known as the plaintiff, must typically prove that negligence was involved.
Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, your spinal cord injury attorney in San Antonio will have to establish the following on your behalf:
- Duty: The defendant owed a legal duty to you.
- Breach: The defendant breached that duty through either action or inaction.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your spinal cord injury.
- Damages: You suffered compensable harm as a direct result.
Contact Our Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm in San Antonio Today
If you or a loved one is suffering the effects of a spinal cord injury as a result of somebody else’s negligence, you don’t have to face these challenges by yourself. Instead, reach out to Omega Law Group and speak with our San Antonio spinal cord injury attorneys.
With us by your side, you can trust that legal professionals are advocating for your rights, fighting for justice on your behalf, and pursuing compensation to the fullest extent.
As your spinal cord injury lawyers in San Antonio, we know that this is an extremely vulnerable and painful time in your life, but we will do everything we can to work toward a favorable outcome in your case.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help—we’re here for you. Schedule a free consultation today.