St. Louis Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves running through the vertebrae of the spine that serves as the main communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When it is damaged through direct trauma, compression, or disrupted blood flow, signals that control movement, sensation, and bodily function can be partially or completely interrupted.

The location of the injury within the spinal column largely determines which parts of the body are affected. Generally, the higher the injury occurs, the greater the resulting loss of function. Long-term consequences can include:

• Paralysis
• Reduced mobility
• Chronic pain
• Loss of independence
• Significant emotional trauma

Importantly, the spinal cord does not need to be completely severed for a person to experience life-altering impairment.

Spinal injuries vary widely in nature and severity. Common types include:

• Herniated Discs: The soft cushion between vertebrae ruptures or slips out of place, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Fractured Vertebrae: A break in one or more spinal bones, often caused by high-impact trauma such as a car accident or fall.
• Compression Fractures: The vertebra collapses or is crushed, reducing spinal canal space and potentially compressing the cord.
• Nerve Damage: Trauma can damage the nerves running through the spinal column, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or loss of motor control.
• Paralysis (Paraplegia or Quadriplegia): Paraplegia involves loss of function in the lower body; quadriplegia affects all four limbs and may impact breathing and other vital systems.
• Spinal Cord Compression: Bone fragments, herniated discs, or swelling squeeze the spinal cord, disrupting nerve signals and impairing function below the injury site.
• Soft Tissue Spinal Injuries: Damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the spine can cause significant pain, instability, and long-term functional limitations.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

A complete spinal cord injury occurs when nerves below the injury site are unable to transmit signals to or from the brain. This results in total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury, leading to full paralysis in affected areas.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some nerve signals still pass through the injury site. Victims may retain partial movement or sensation below the injury, but may still experience significant impairment requiring medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex and high-stakes matters in personal injury law. The injuries are severe, the medical evidence is technical, and the financial consequences can span a lifetime. At Simon Law, our attorneys bring the experience, resources, and commitment needed to build a compelling case on your behalf.

We take a thorough, strategic approach to every spinal cord injury claim. Our team will:

• Thoroughly investigate the accident and the circumstances that caused your injury
• Gather and preserve critical medical records, imaging, and diagnostic evidence
• Collaborate with neurosurgeons, rehabilitative specialists, and life care planners to document the full extent of your injury
• Work with expert witnesses to establish causation and liability
• Calculate the true long-term value of your damages, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf
• Take your case to trial when a fair settlement cannot be reached

We understand that spinal cord injuries affect the injured person as well as their family. Our attorneys provide personalized, hands-on representation and maintain clear communication throughout the legal process so you always know where your case stands.

To recover compensation, your legal team must demonstrate that another party’s negligence caused your injury. Simon Law builds cases using a broad range of evidence, including:

• Accident and police reports documenting the circumstances of the incident
• Medical records and imaging results showing the nature and extent of the spinal injury
• Expert testimony from medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists
• Surveillance footage and photographic evidence from the scene
• Witness statements from those who observed the accident or its aftermath
• Records demonstrating safety violations, maintenance failures, or other negligent conduct

Victims of spinal cord injuries often face a lifetime of extraordinary expenses and losses. Simon Law works to ensure every component of your damages is accounted for and pursued. Recoverable compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, hospitalization, and medications
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
• In-home care and assistance
• Wheelchairs, mobility devices, and adaptive equipment
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Future lost earnings based on your career trajectory and the impact of your disability
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life, enjoyment, and independence

The value of a spinal cord injury claim depends on the severity of the injury, the cost of past and future medical care, the impact on earning capacity, and the degree of pain and suffering involved. Because these injuries often require lifelong treatment, settlements and verdicts can be substantial. Simon Law evaluates every case individually to pursue full compensation.

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically five years from the date of injury. Filing promptly ensures your rights are protected and allows time to gather evidence and medical documentation. If a spine or back injury were caused by medical malpractice, the statute of limitations would be two years from the date of the injury.

Yes. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which means you can recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. Your award will be reduced proportionally to your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery.

Key evidence typically includes medical records and imaging, accident reports, witness statements, expert testimony from medical and accident reconstruction specialists, and surveillance footage. Thorough documentation of your injury’s impact on daily life and future needs is also critical to maximizing recovery.