Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri

Spinal cord injury lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in St. Louis and sustained spinal cord injuries, it is vital that you get in touch with our car crash attorneys at Burger Law so that we can assess your claim and develop a strong case. Call an experienced and award-winning spinal cord injuries lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

If you or a loved one sustained a spinal cord injury in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri or Illinois, see how much compensation you may be eligible for by using our free personal injury calculator.

Burger Law’s spinal cord injury attorneys have represented thousands of injured people in both State and Federal Court, and we have high success rates in a multitude of car accident areas. When a person acts unsafely, their actions can cause severe damages including financial harm, loss of wages, continued medical care, pain and suffering and permanent injuries. We will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve. The spinal cord injury lawyers at Burger Law work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay until we win your case. Our spinal cord injury lawyers are backed by decades of experience, and you can trust that we have the knowledge and resources needed to effectively litigate and recover well for you.

How Common Are Spinal Cord Injuries in St. Louis and Missouri Car Accidents?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are 54 spinal cord injuries per one million people in the U.S., and about 17,730 new cases a year. Auto accidents account for about 39.3 percent of them. Almost half of the injuries are incomplete tetraplegia, or partial weakness or paralysis in all four limbs.

The average age of someone who sustains a spinal cord injury is 43, and men account for 78 percent of new cases.

What Compensation Can I Receive For Spinal Cord Injury in St. Louis, MO?

According to the data from the Christopher & Diana Reeve Foundation, the financial consequences of a spinal injury can be devastating. For tetraplegia and paraplegia, depending on the severity of the injury and how old the injured person is, lifelong costs can range from $1,217,226 to $5,162,152. Even if your injuries do not result in long-term disability, you will still have losses due to medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

An experienced and talented St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer like those at Burger Law will be able to get you compensation for all of your damages. The compensation you are owed for your injuries includes:

• Economic damages — You need to be compensated for all of your financial losses, present and future. You can get compensation for all of your medical expenses, including:
  • Ambulance and emergency room costs
  • Imaging tests
  • Surgeries
  • Medications
  • Chiropractic care
  • Physical therapy
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs
  • Any modifications to your vehicle or home, like ramps or guardrails

  If you will have further medical needs in the future, such as further surgeries, wheelchair replacements or medications, our spinal cord injury lawyers will ensure that is also covered in your compensation.

  Economic damages also include lost wages from time spent off work recovering, and lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability that does not allow you to earn a living as you used to. We will also get compensation for out-of-pocket expenses like hiring someone to help with household chores or to watch your children.

• Non-economic damages — You also deserve compensation for the effect your injuries had on your life that cannot be shown on receipts, W2s or medical bills. That means the physical, emotional and mental impact of your injuries. That can include, but is not limited to:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Loss of consortium

  While we know money does not magically make life the same as it was before the accident, you can find a sense of justice and recognition with non-economic damages, and be more financially secure in the future. If you cannot play with your kids the same way, or pursue your life passions, you deserve compensation for that.

• Punitive damages — While these do not apply to most personal injury cases, under Missouri Revised Statute §510.261, we can pursue punitive damages if the at-fault party “acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.” This may be applicable if the driver was drunk driving or driving aggressively.

You should not have to pay just because somebody else broke the rules. Burger Law’s spinal cord injury lawyers are fierce and aggressive in demanding nothing but full compensation for our clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri and Illinois.

Spinal Cord Injuries From St. Louis, MO Car Accidents

Extending from the brainstem to the lower back, the spinal cord consists of small parts called vertebrae which — along with the brain — compose the central nervous system. The spinal cord contains a variety of nerves that send and receive messages between the brain and body. Unfortunately, due to its important role in day-to-day functioning, the outcome of injury sustained to the spinal cord can be devastating for the person injured.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury that someone else is responsible for, you may be able to obtain financial compensation with help from a St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer. A capable personal injury lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to achieve a positive outcome for you.

What Are Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents?

The following are the most common spinal cord injuries associated with car accidents:

• Whiplash — Whiplash is a general term for injuries to the neck, ranging from strains and fractures. While they can be relatively mild compared to other spinal cord injuries, they are sometimes life-threatening.
• Fractured vertebrae — The spine has 33 vertebrae. A dislocation or fracture of any one of those vertebrae can affect the surrounding nerves and tissue, and the function of your nervous system. Mild fractures may be healed with rest, while more serious ones need emergency surgery. Not getting a vertebrae fracture treated could lead to lifelong disability.
• Disc injuries — Discs are the rubbery substance in between vertebrae that act as cushions. A herniated, bulging, fragmented or ruptured disc occurs when part of a disc is forced out of the spinal column. This can cause immense pain and limit movement when they impinge on a nerve. Treatment can range from pain management to surgery.
• Pinched nerves — A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding bone, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This disrupts the nerve’s ability to communicate with the brain, and can cause tingling, pain or weakness.
• Spinal stenosis — When a bone breaks or moves out of place, it can make the space inside the spinal column too small. It is most common in the neck or lower back, and most people experience pain, numbing or weakness that gets worse over time.
• Tetraplegia — Also called quadriplegia, this refers to a person’s inability to move all four limbs. In most cases the paralysis is permanent.
• Paraplegia — This is an inability to move the lower parts of the body, and is also almost always permanent.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries, especially severe ones, may result in paralysis. Paralysis is the inability to use limbs and can be either full or partial. The extent of paralysis a person experiences will depend on which part of their spinal cord sustains damage.

If a person loses the ability to control any part of their body below the spinal cord injury, they will have complete paralysis. If they only lose function in the affected area, they will only have partial paralysis. Complete paralysis can cause a person to become dependent on others for help and may leave them unable to work or perform day-to-day tasks. A St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer could help an individual pursue financial compensation for their injuries, lessening their financial burden.

Spinal cord injuries are also referred to as “high” or “low.” A person generally loses function and/or feeling below the level of the injury. The higher the injury, the less function you will retain.

If you have been in an accident and have any of the following symptoms, you need to find emergency medical care right away:

• Paralysis, weakness or uncoordinated movement in any part of your body
• Loss of or impaired sensation, such as the ability to feel heat, cold and touch
• Extreme pain or pressure in your back or head
• Numbness or tingling in your legs, arms, hands or feet
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of bladder control
• A twisted back
• Coughing or trouble breathing
• Stinging or pinching sensations in your back

Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury After a St. Louis Car Accident

Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury After a St. Louis Car Accident

After sustaining a spinal cord injury, many individuals find they are unable to live a normal life. This can be remarkably distressing for a person who was previously able to work and take care of themselves, but must now seek continuous medical care due to the devastating impact of an injury.

Spinal cord injuries can cause any or several of the following medical conditions:

• Inability to control bladder and bowels
• Difficulty regulating body temperature and blood pressure
• Poor resistance to respiratory illnesses and infections
• Chronic pain
• Full or partial paralysis
• Sexual dysfunction

Such medical conditions can leave a person in need of lifelong medical care, which can be a debilitating financial burden. Individuals with spinal cord injuries are also more prone to major depressive disorder than non-injured individuals.

How Much is My Spinal Cord Injury Claim Worth?

When you are determining the value of a spinal cord injury claim, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each case is unique and requires a thorough evaluation of various factors to make an accurate estimate. Many people try to look at average settlement amounts, but the reality is that there is no real “average,” as every spinal injury is so different. 

Do You Have Permanent Disabilities from Your SCI?

One crucial factor that can greatly affect the value of a claim is whether the injury is permanent or not. Spinal cord injuries can range from temporary discomfort to lifelong paralysis, with varying degrees of severity in between. Naturally, a permanent injury that results in paralysis or long-term disability will typically result in higher costs and a higher settlement value compared to a temporary injury that can be fully recovered from.

In addition to the permanence of the injury, other factors that can influence the value of a spinal cord injury claim include the extent of the medical treatment required, the impact on the victim’s quality of life, the loss of income and future earning potential, and the emotional and psychological toll the injury has taken.

Always Let Our St. Louis Spinal Injury Lawyers Calculate Your Damages

To accurately assess the value of a spinal cord injury claim, you must consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and evaluate the various factors involved in your case. 

Our attorneys can review: 

• Your medical records
• Consult with medical experts
• Calculate past and future medical expenses
• Assess the financial impact the injury has had on your life
• Assess the intangible impact the injury has had on your life

Insurance companies will try to minimize the value of your claim and may attempt to settle for less than what you deserve. Having our skilled attorneys by your side can help level the playing field and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

How Can a St. Louis, MO Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help?

It is normal to feel angry, powerless and confused after a spinal cord injury, but there are ways to hold the person responsible for the injury accountable. By working with an experienced St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer, injured individuals could increase their chances of obtaining financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

• Fully investigate your claim and find the evidence needed to determine who is liable for your injuries and prove negligence
• Connect you with trusted healthcare providers to get you the best possible physical recovery
• Develop the best legal strategy to win your case
• Use expert witnesses like crash and medical experts to prove how the accident caused your spinal cord injury, determine your long-term prognosis and fully calculate your damages
• Determine every liable party to hold all of them accountable, which, depending on the specifics of your crash, can include the at-fault driver, an auto manufacturer, a local municipality or a construction company
• Keep you up-to-date on your case, always be available to answer questions and provide legal advice that is sound and compassionate, while leaving the ultimate decision about your claim up to you
• Do everything possible to get a fair settlement in negotiation and mediation
• Fight for you in front of a jury if we have to

No one should be left to deal with the financial and emotional fallout of an accident they did not cause, and everyone living with a spinal cord injury should be aware of their legal options. Speak to a St. Louis attorney today at (314) 500-HURT.

Speak to a St. Louis, Missouri Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

Our spinal cord injury Lawyers have taken on a variety of back injury and spine injury cases and can help you with yours as well. We know how traumatic a spine injury can be, as we have consulted with doctors and physicians in our cases to ensure our clients get the full care they need. Your spinal cord injury deserves medical treatment, and you deserve to recover financially for your injury. Never believe an insurance company before speaking to a lawyer. You did not ask for your spinal cord injury and you should not have to settle for anything less than 100% of the care you need to recover. If you need help with your spinal cord injury claim, or need an experienced and dedicated St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer to fight on your behalf, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp