Connecticut Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Top-Rated Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Connecticut

In Connecticut, spinal cord injuries are severe. Whether you are hit in a car crash in New Haven or you fall at work in Hartford. Paralysis can affect you for the rest of your life and alter your future, while also placing a massive burden on your wallet. During this difficult time, a trial-ready Connecticut spinal cord injury lawyer is here to review your case and help you recover the compensation and justice you deserve.

Types and Severity of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are some of the most catastrophic injuries a person can sustain. In Connecticut, when you suffer a spinal cord injury, the type and severity of that injury can affect your claim. The two main types of SCI include:

• Complete SCI: These injuries are the most severe and happen when the signals to the spinal cord are cut or injured, making it impossible for the brain to send these necessary signals below the site of injury. This can result in paraplegia, the loss of function in the lower limbs of the body, or quadriplegia/tetraplegia, which is the loss of function in all four limbs.
• Incomplete SCI: This injury typically happens due to compression. It greatly reduces the brain’s ability to send signals to the areas of your body at or below the injury site. Because of this, the injuries and symptoms can vary from person to person.

There are also four main areas on your spine that can be affected by an SCI, and understanding each level can clarify how your injuries will impact your overall function. These levels include:

• Cervical spine injury: This is the area located at the top of the spinal column that connects the skull to the upper part of the body. This area supports the head, protects the spinal cord, and provides humans with a wide range of mobility.
• Thoracic spine injury: This is the upper and middle area of the back. It helps us maintain stability and supports numerous critical bodily functions.
• Lumbar spine injury: This is the local area of your spinal cord and is built to carry your body’s weight and support actions like walking, lifting, and running.
• Sacral spine injury: This area of the spine is also known as the sacrum and is located directly beneath the lumbar spine. The nerves here are essential for movement, sensation, and lower-body organ control.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Each year, there are 18,482 new traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States, and over 15 million people worldwide suffer from these conditions. There are a number of common causes of spinal cord injuries in Connecticut. The most common include:

• Car accidents
• Commercial trucking accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Acts of intentional violence, particularly gun violence
• Medical malpractice incidents
• Sporting accidents

Proving Liability and Lifetime Damages

In a spinal cord injury case, you need to be able to prove liability to recover damages. You will need to prove that the liable party owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty, and that the accident was caused by the breach of duty. You must also show that you suffered legally recognizable damages as a result of the accident.

When you suffer such a catastrophic injury, the analysis of damages is often focused heavily on long-term financial impact and future care needs. These cases are not limited to immediate medical bills. Often, they require predicting how much lifetime treatment, assistance, and accommodations will cost. Common lifetime costs may include:

• Hiring a life-care planner and/or economist
• Home modifications
• Adaptive equipment
• Attendant care

Why Buckley Wynne & Parese?

For over 140 years, the firm Buckley Wynne & Parese has stood out as a beacon of hope for those suffering personal injuries across Connecticut. We offer all of our clients access to our senior partners and prepare every case as though it is headed to trial so that nothing surprises us. We do not stop advocating for our clients until every possibility and legal avenue has been exhausted.

FAQs

How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the value or worth of your spinal cord injury case can depend on the nature of your injuries and the cause of the accident itself. The more severe your spinal cord injury, the higher your case is likely worth. The value can also depend on your lifetime care costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What Is the Difference Between Paraplegia and Quadriplegia for a Claim?

When it comes to a personal injury claim in Connecticut, the compensation you are awarded in damages can be determined by the distinction between paraplegia and quadriplegia, as one is more severe than the other and will lead to more difficulties. Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower half of the body, whereas quadriplegia is more severe and is the paralysis of all four limbs.

How Long Do I Have to File an SCI Claim in CT?

In Connecticut, you have two years from the date the injury occurred or the date the injury was discovered to file your SCI claim. This is known as a statute of limitations. If you miss this required deadline and do not file your claim in time, you will likely lose out on any kind of damage recovery, and your case will be dismissed.

Who Pays for Lifetime Care if I’m Paralyzed?

Lifetime care for paralysis often costs millions of dollars and can potentially be paid for by different parties or entities. In 2024 alone, the United States experienced over $1.3 billion in personal injury costs. If your paralysis occurs due to an accident, the involved insurance companies, the insurer of the at-fault party, possible government and community resources, and structured settlements and life care planning can all help you deal with these expenses.

What if I Was Partly at Fault?

In Connecticut, even if you were partly at fault for an SCI accident, you can still recover compensation, as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less. Because of the state’s modified comparative negligence laws, if you are 51% or more at fault, you will be unable to recover compensation.

Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in Connecticut, an experienced and trial-prepared spinal cord injury lawyer can advocate for you. The team at Buckley Wynne & Parese invites you to contact our offices today and schedule your free consultation. Let us protect your right to compensation.

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