If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury, life may feel like it’s been split into a “before” and an “after.” These injuries don’t just affect the body; they change how you live, work, and interact with the world. From the loss of mobility to the crushing weight of medical bills and emotional stress, spinal cord injuries have deep impacts on every part of your life.
When your injury was the result of someone else's negligence or recklessness, your pain is compounded by the fact that this accident and your injuries were entirely preventable. If you’re wondering if it’s possible to get your life back and who, if anyone, can be held accountable, an experienced Texas spinal cord injury lawyer at DFW Injury Lawyers can help you take that next step.
When someone else's negligence causes this kind of injury, you deserve an advocate who knows Texas law, understands the devastating impact of spinal trauma, and fights relentlessly to recover full and fair compensation.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Spinal cord injuries demand serious representation. At DFW Injury Lawyers, we bring the power and experience needed to take on tough opponents, from insurance companies to corporate legal teams, and win. When we say we’re trial lawyers, we mean it. We prepare every case like it's going to court, and we’re never afraid to fight for what’s right.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Over half a billion dollars recovered for injured Texans
- Former defense attorneys who know how the other side thinks and how to beat them
- Multiple offices across the DFW metroplex for easy access in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and beyond
- Proven experience with catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death
- Relentless preparation for trial, even if the case settles, we build leverage from the start
- Strong referral network for medical care, physical therapy, and life care planning
- No fee unless we win—and your consultation is always free
Key Takeaways
- Spinal cord injuries often cause permanent changes in strength, sensation, and body function.
- The most common causes include car accidents, falls, and acts of violence.
- Complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries carry serious consequences.
- Victims may suffer from paralysis, loss of bladder/bowel control, chronic pain, and other long-term complications.
- A spinal cord injury claim must prove that someone else was legally responsible.
- Working with a Texas spinal cord injury attorney drastically improves your chances of recovering fair compensation.
- DFW Injury Lawyers has a proven record of success in spinal cord injury cases across Texas.
About Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord serves as the main communication line between your brain and body. Any damage to this vital system can result in a devastating loss of motor or sensory function, independence, and quality of life.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are more than 18,400 new spinal cord injuries in the U.S. each year. Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause, followed by falls, violence, and sports-related trauma. Most spinal cord injuries happen to people between the ages of 16 and 30, making them particularly tragic when they affect young individuals at the height of their lives and careers.
These injuries often lead to lasting disabilities, and the average lifetime cost of care for someone with a spinal injury can easily exceed $1 million, not including lost income, future medical expenses, or the emotional toll on families.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Texas
Spinal cord damage can result from any sudden impact to the back, neck, or spine. Some of the most frequent causes in Texas include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord trauma. The sheer force of impact often results in vertebral fractures or spinal column displacement.
- Falls: A slip and fall incident—especially from a height or on a hard surface—can result in spinal cord damage, particularly in older adults.
- Acts of violence: Gunshots, knife wounds, and physical assaults can damage the spinal cord directly or cause secondary trauma due to swelling or infection.
- Sports and recreational activities: Contact sports like football or diving into shallow water are known to cause cervical spine injuries.
- Construction accidents: Falls from scaffolding, ladder mishaps, or falling equipment can lead to spinal cord injuries on the job.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Cyclists and pedestrians have little protection in a crash, making spine injuries tragically common.
If another person’s negligence contributed to the accident—whether a reckless driver, careless property owner, or unsafe employer—you may have a valid spinal cord injury claim under Texas law.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are categorized based on location, severity, and the level of motor or sensory function affected. These classifications play a central role in your recovery, your care plan, and your legal claim.
Complete spinal cord injuries
A complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site. This means you can no longer move or feel anything below that point. Complete injuries are often permanent and require extensive medical care and assistive equipment.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
In contrast, incomplete spinal cord injuries allow for some degree of motor or sensory function below the injury. These injuries vary widely in presentation and may improve over time with physical therapy and medical treatment. However, they still significantly disrupt daily life and require ongoing care.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia affects the lower half of the body, typically resulting from injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine. Individuals may retain arm and hand function but lose the ability to move or control their legs.
Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)
Tetraplegia is more severe and results from damage to the cervical spine, impairing movement and sensation in all four limbs. Many individuals with tetraplegia require ventilators and full-time care, as their injury often affects respiratory function.
Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
Beyond the initial trauma, spinal cord injury victims face a lifetime of medical and personal challenges. These complications not only affect health but can dramatically limit independence and reduce quality of life.
Some of the most common complications include:
- Chronic pain that may not respond to medication or surgery
- Bladder and bowel control issues, leading to infections and social isolation
- Sexual function loss, which can cause emotional strain and relationship difficulties
- Respiratory complications, especially with high cervical injuries
- Muscle spasms and nerve damage, often requiring long-term therapy
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores) due to reduced mobility
- Depression and anxiety, often triggered by the sudden loss of independence
- Loss of future earnings due to long-term unemployment or career disruption
These are not short-term problems. They are lifelong challenges that deserve long-term financial support. The cost of medical equipment, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home modifications, and in-home care can add up quickly, making legal action a critical step for many families.
Negligence and the Foundation of a Spinal Cord Injury Case
To secure compensation after a spinal injury, your case must be built on a legal foundation called negligence. This means proving that someone else acted carelessly or recklessly—and that their behavior caused your injury.
There are four elements your Texas spinal cord injury lawyer must establish:
- Duty of care
The at-fault party had a legal responsibility to act reasonably to prevent harm. For example, drivers must follow traffic laws. Property owners must keep their premises safe. - Breach of duty
This means the person failed to meet that responsibility by speeding, texting while driving, failing to fix a broken stairway, or neglecting other basic safety measures. - Causation
You must show that the breach directly led to your spinal cord injury. It isn’t enough that they were careless—you have to prove their actions were the reason you were harmed. - Damages
Finally, you need to demonstrate real losses—medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, or emotional distress—that were caused by the injury.
These cases are often hotly contested. Insurance companies may try to shift blame or downplay your losses. That’s why it’s so important to have a legal team that investigates thoroughly, brings in trusted medical professionals, and builds your claim on strong evidence.
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?
Because spinal cord injuries are so life-changing, these cases tend to involve significant compensation. The actual value depends on the specifics of your case: the severity of the injury, the extent of your losses, and whether the other party acted recklessly or maliciously.
Economic damages
These include tangible financial losses such as:
- Medical expenses—hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehab
- Future medical costs—wheelchairs, home health care, therapy, and ongoing treatments
- Lost income—both now and in the future, if you can’t return to your job
- Home modifications or vehicle adaptations
Non-economic damages
These cover the human impact of your injury, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impaired relationships or loss of companionship
Punitive damages
In cases where the responsible party acted with extreme negligence or intentional harm, such as a drunk driving crash, the court may award punitive damages to punish that behavior and deter others.
Every spinal cord injury claim is different, and no two results are the same. However, working with experienced spinal cord injury lawyers in Texas can help you pursue the full and fair compensation your case deserves.
Let DFW Injury Lawyers Handle the Insurance Companies
After suffering a serious spinal cord injury, you should be focusing on your health, not battling with insurance companies. But insurers often have one goal: to settle your claim for as little as possible.
They may:
- Try to pressure you into an early settlement before the full cost of your injury is known
- Downplay the severity of your injury
- Argue that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated
- Delay or deny valid claims without explanation
When you hire DFW Injury Lawyers, we step in immediately. We’ll handle all communication with the insurance companies, so you don’t have to. We gather medical records, bring in medical professionals, and push back when insurers offer less than what you’re owed.
You won’t have to fight this alone. We take the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery.
Protecting the Value of Your Claim
By now, you’ve likely received medical attention or are in the process of undergoing treatment for your spinal cord injury. That care is essential, and so is protecting your legal rights.
If you haven’t yet been evaluated by a medical professional, it’s important to do so as soon as possible. A delayed diagnosis not only puts your health at risk but can weaken your claim by making it harder to prove the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Once you’ve taken care of your health, there are several additional steps you should take to protect your right to compensation:
- Hire an experienced Texas spinal cord injury attorney who can step in immediately to manage your case and deal with the insurance companies
- Keep all medical appointments and complete recommended treatments, which helps demonstrate the seriousness of your injury and your commitment to recovery.
- Write or video journal your experience, documenting your pain levels, limitations, emotional state, and how the injury affects your daily life.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal guidance.
- Preserve any evidence, including photos, witness information, and property damage from the scene.
- Keep all receipts and records related to medical expenses, equipment, prescriptions, and modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Stay off social media when it comes to discussing your accident, injuries, or legal matters.
Early and intentional action can have a major impact on the outcome of your claim. The right legal support can ensure no detail falls through the cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Texas?
Under Texas law, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation. Exceptions exist, so talk to a lawyer right away.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages if you’re less than 51% responsible, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we handle your case on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost or out-of-pocket expenses. We only get paid if we win your case.
What types of spinal cord injuries qualify for compensation?
Both complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries may qualify, including those resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or loss of sensory/motor function. A lawyer can assess your injury and help you understand your options.
Can I file a claim if the injury happened at work?
In some cases, yes. If a third party—such as a contractor, property owner, or product manufacturer—caused the accident, you may have a valid personal injury claim outside of workers’ compensation.
How Can a Lawyer Help With My Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Recovering from a spinal cord injury is hard enough. Let us take care of the legal process.
Here’s how we help:
- Evaluate your case during a free consultation
- Investigate what caused the accident and who’s liable
- Collect medical records and expert opinions
- Document the full extent of your losses
- Handle all insurance communications and negotiations
- Fight for a fair settlement—or take your case to trial if needed
We bring in medical experts, life care planners, and financial specialists to make sure no detail is overlooked.
Call DFW Injury Lawyers Today to Discuss Your Texas Spinal Cord Injury Case
You didn’t ask for this injury. And while no amount of money can undo the harm that’s been done, the proper compensation can help you rebuild your life with dignity, security, and support. When you call DFW Injury Lawyers, you’re not just hiring Texas personal injury attorneys—you’re gaining advocates who care deeply about your future.
We serve injury victims across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and throughout Texas. With multiple office locations and a proven record of success, we’re ready to fight for you.
Call (972) 440-2320 or reach out online to schedule your free case evaluation today. Let us bring the muscle to your spinal cord injury case, so you don’t have to fight this battle alone.