Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

Most spinal cord injuries caused by another party’s negligence qualify for a personal injury claim. This includes complete and incomplete injuries, such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, herniated discs with nerve damage, and injuries resulting in partial paralysis or loss of sensation.

Claims often arise from car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, violent acts, or defective products. An essential factor is whether someone else’s careless or wrongful actions contributed to the injury.

Even injuries that are not immediately catastrophic may qualify if they lead to long-term impairment, chronic pain, or reduced quality of life.

Yes. Many spinal cord injuries evolve over weeks or months as swelling increases, nerve damage progresses, or complications develop. If your symptoms worsened after the initial accident, you may still pursue a claim, especially if medical evidence shows a clear connection to the original incident.

Delayed symptoms are common with spinal trauma and do not weaken your legal rights. Medical records, diagnostic imaging, and expert opinions are often used to show how the injury progressed. It’s important to act within the statute of limitations, though, even if the full impact of the injury became clear later.

If a defective product or unsafe equipment caused your spinal cord injury, you might have a product liability claim along with — or instead of — a standard personal injury case. These claims can involve defective vehicle parts, industrial machinery, medical devices, or safety equipment that failed to work as intended. Liability may rest with manufacturers, distributors, or retailers.

Unlike negligence cases, product liability claims often focus on design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings. Evidence such as product testing, recalls, and engineering analysis can play a major role in showing how the defect contributed to your injury.

Fault is determined by examining whether another party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused harm as a result. This process involves reviewing accident reports, medical records, witness statements, video footage, and expert testimony. A thorough investigation is essential in spinal cord injury cases due to the high financial stakes and complex medical issues involved.

In Missouri and Illinois, comparative fault rules apply, meaning responsibility may be shared among multiple parties. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover compensation, though the amount could be reduced.

Yes, in many cases, family members may be entitled to compensation related to a loved one’s spinal cord injury. This can include reimbursement for caregiving services provided by a spouse or family member, as well as claims for loss of companionship, affection, or consortium.

When an injury dramatically changes family dynamics, the law recognizes that loved ones may also suffer meaningful losses. These claims are typically pursued alongside the injured person’s case and depend on state law, the severity of the injury, and its impact on daily life and relationships.

If the at-fault party lacks insurance or does not carry enough coverage, you may still have options for financial recovery.

Many auto insurance policies include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which can help cover medical costs, lost income, and other damages. In some cases, third parties — such as employers, property owners, or manufacturers — may share liability.

Identifying all available insurance policies and responsible parties is critical in these situations. A detailed review of coverage and circumstances can uncover additional paths to pursue compensation when standard insurance is insufficient.