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Spinal Cord Injury

For over one hundred years, Buckley Wynne & Parese has helped spinal cord injury victims find answers, seek justice and secure financial compensation.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Attorneys in Connecticut

For over one hundred years, Buckley Wynne & Parese has helped spinal cord injury victims find answers, seek justice and secure financial compensation. Our attorneys have represented numerous spinal cord injury victims and understand the shock, grief and life adjustments that you are going through. We have the specialized knowledge and experience to win spinal cord injury cases. If you sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of someone’s negligence or wrongdoing, call us today for a free consultation.

The Reeve Foundation’s Spinal Cord Injury Statistics

  • A study from the Reeve Foundation estimates that over 1.2 million Americans are living with paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries – five times the previous commonly used estimate of 250,000.
  • About four out of five people with spinal cord injuries are male.
  • More than half of spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical area, a third occur in the thoracic area, and the remainder occur mostly in the lumbar region.
  • Spinal cord injuries are most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, followed by sports-related injuries (more common in children and teenagers), falls and acts of violence.

Source: ChristopherReeve.org

Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

The difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury is whether a person has function below the level of injury. With complete spinal cord injuries, the spinal cord is fully severed or compressed. Motor function, nerve function, sensation and movement are lost below the injury site. Those who suffer from incomplete spinal cord injuries can have some remaining function and/or feeling below the injury location. The following are examples of incomplete spinal cord injuries:

  • Anterior Cord Syndrome
  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome
  • Cauda Equina Syndrome
  • Central Cord Syndrome
  • Conus Medullaris Syndrome
  • Posterior Cord Syndrome

Paraplegia vs. Tetraplegia / Quadriplegia

Paraplegia often results from injuries to the thoracic or lumber spine and typically causes full or partial paralysis of the lower extremities. Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is full or partial paralysis of the upper and lower extremities. Injuries often occur in the cervical spine.

The ASIA / ISCoS Exam and Grading System

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) uses a grading scale to define and describe the extent of damage of a spinal cord injury. It helps to determine a patient’s future rehabilitation and recovery needs.

  • Grade A - Loss of sensory and motor function.
  • Grade B - Loss of motor function.
  • Grade C - More than 50% motor function is lost.
  • Grade D - Less than 50% motor function is lost.
  • Grade E - Sensory and motor function are normal.

Spinal Cord Injury Resources in Connecticut

 Organization Mission Contact Information
Almada Lodge-Times Farm Camp Corporation Provide opportunities to children of all physical, developmental and economic ability to participate in year-round recreational and educational programs that promote friendships, learning and growth. 73 Times Farm Road, Andover, CT 06232
Tel: (860)742-2267
Fax: (860)742-3298
http://www.channel3kidscamp.org
Chariots Of Hope Means of mobility to confined individuals who are otherwise without hope of a reasonable quality of life. 45 Barber Pond Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Tel: (860)242-4673 http://chariotsofhope.org
Boundless Playgrounds Inclusive playgrounds where children with and without disabilities can play and learn together. Cheshire: Kids In Motion Playground at Bartlem Park, Enfield: Enfield Rotary Accessible Playground, Glastonbury: Addison Park, Hamden: Josh's Jungle, Milford: Bodie's Place Playground at Eisenhower Park, Newington: Our Children's Place at Mill Pond Park, Simsbury: Rotary Park, South Windsor: My Friend's Place at Nevers Park, West Hartford: Jonathan's Dream
Ability Beyond Disability Enables individuals living with a disability, illness or injury to achieve and maintain self-reliance, fulfillment and comfort at home, at work and in the community. 4 Berkshire Blvd, Bethel, CT 6801 Tel: (888) 832-8247 · Fax: (203) 775-8308
Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation Dedicated to maintaining and improving quality of life by providing financial aid to individuals with spinal cord injuries. P.O. Box 2221, Darien, CT 6820 Tel: (888)265-5859 · Fax: (203)662-0798 http://www.ohhf.org
Fairness In Youth Sports Hartford Little League recognizes that the best interests of the children should be of primary importance and the League should be structured and operated in such a manner so that it is fair to all children and coaches involved. PO Box 271377, West Hartford, CT 6127 Tel: (860) 232-8226 http://www.westhartfordlittleleague.com
Independence Northwest Center for Independent Living of Northwest CT Promotes the independent living philosophy so that people with disabilities can have the same opportunities that all citizens have without discrimination.  1183 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 Tel: (203)729-3299 http://www.independencenorthwest.org
Chapel Haven Committed to providing a lifelong program of individualized support services for adults with cognitive disabilities, enabling them to live independent and productive lives.  1040 Whalley Ave., New Haven, CT 06515 Tel: (203)397.1714 · Fax: (203)932.3698 http://WWW.CHAPELHAVEN.ORG  
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Brings the extraordinary benefits of therapeutic riding to people through the sharing of our knowledge, experience and inspiration.  36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371 Tel: (860)434-1974 · Fax: (860)434-3723 http://www.highhopestr.org
Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers Club Offers water ski instruction for the disabled community including children, adults, and wounded soldiers. 90 Housatonic Dr, Sandy Hook, CT 06482 Tel: (203)426-0666 http://www.leapsoffaithwaterskiers.com
Moving With HOPE (Health Oriented Physical Education)  To provide year-round access to programs and services that help people with chronic illnesses & disabilities improve their physical activity, functional movement, eating habits, and community-based independence. 30 Controls Dr, Shelton, CT 06484 Tel: (203)513-8424 · Fax: (203)712-7320 http://www.movingwithhope.org
Ryan Martin Foundation Helps youth and adult athletes with disabilities live independent, impassioned, productive and full lives through sports training, mentoring, and education. P.O. Box 1161, Simsbury, CT 06070 Tel: (860) 383-8333 · Fax: (860) 391-0412 http://www.ryanmartinfoundation.org
ARI of Connecticut Enriching the lives of people with disabilities and their families by enabling them to achieve their fullest potential at home, at work, and in the community. 174 Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 Tel: (203) 3249258 · Fax: (203) 358-0600 http://www.arict.org
East Coast Assistance Dogs, Inc Enables people with disabilities to gain greater independence and mobility through the use of specially trained dogs. P. O. Box 831149 New Field Road, Torrington, CT 6790 Tel: (860) 489-6550 · Fax: (860) 489-3791 http://www.ecad1.org
New Horizons Focus of educating the public about people with disabilities and educating people with disabilities about strategies for independent living.  37 Bliss Road, Unionville, CT 6085 Tel: (860) 673-8893 · Fax: (860) 675-4369 http://www.newhorizonsvillage.com
National Spinal Cord Injury Association Connecticut Chapter A group of individuals joining together to improve the lives of people who have been affected by a spinal related injury or disease within the state of Connecticut. PO Box 400 Gaylord Farms Rd, Wallingford, CT 6492
Tel: (203) 284-2910
http://www.sciact.org
Sail Connecticut Access Program The opportunity for persons with and without special needs to share the experience of sailing together and train them to sail a fully adapted and equipped sailboat. 635 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498
Tel: (860) 304-6588 http://www.sailctaccess.org
Little Britches Therapeutic Riding To provide unique equine-based therapies to special needs and at-risk individuals. P.O. Box 120, Woodbury, CT 06798
Tel: (203) 223-4261
Fax: (203) 364-0801
http://www.littlebritchesct.org

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay legal fees out of my pocket?

No. Your legal fees are paid on a contingency fee basis unless otherwise specified. That means that we are not paid unless we recover compensation for you.


Can a person recover damages for injuries sustained on someone else’s property?

An owner of property has a duty to protect members of the public from injury that may occur upon the property. The injured person may be able to recover money for those injuries if he or she can prove that the property owner failed to meet that duty. The hurdle plaintiffs face is that the nature and extent of the property owner’s duty will vary depending upon the facts of the situation and the jurisdiction in question.

 

The status of the injured visitor is important. There are three separate categories: invitee, licensee, and trespasser. An invitee is someone who has been invited onto the land because that person will confer some advantage to the property owner, such as a store patron. An owner of property is required to exercise reasonable care for the safety of the invitee. A licensee is someone who enters upon the land for his or her own purpose, and is present at the consent, but not the invitation, of the owner. For example, a door-to-door salesman who enters the property and stays to chat with the owner about the product that he is selling is a licensee. The owner’s duty to a licensee is only to warn of hidden dangers. For example, if the owner knew the front step was rotten and did not warn the salesman, the salesman may be able to recover if he thereafter falls through the step and injures himself. Finally, a trespasser is an individual who enters onto the property without the knowledge or consent of the owner and who remains there without any right or permission. Trespassers have difficulty suing property owners because property owners’ duty towards trespassers is not to place traps and hazards on their property. In some cases, the owner must also warn trespassers of the hazards if they are unlikely to be discovered by the trespasser and could cause serious injury or death.


Client Reviews of Our Personal Injury Attorneys

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Attorney John Buckley was highly recommended to me by quite a few people and upon my first meeting to discuss my case, I knew immediately that I was in good hands. He took his time to explain everything to me in great detail and stayed in communication throughout my entire case. His staff was also extremely friendly, professional and VERY responsive! I actually never had to reach out about my case because they over-communicated with me from beginning to end. My accident was very unfortunate, but I’m extremely grateful I was working with Attorney Buckley through it all! I highly recommend this law firm!!!

    - Jamie B.

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Recently engaged BWP concerning a motor vehicle accident. From the initial consult, and continuing throughout the entire process, John Parese and the entire staff were respectful, extremely knowledgeable, understanding of my goals and supportive to work towards achieving the best possible outcome. It was a very seamless, friendly relationship and a firm that I would highly recommend to anyone.

    - Robert T.

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    I contacted BWP in June 2019, after I was hit by a drunk driver. John Wynne was my attorney. I couldn’t have been happier with the services I received. Everyone I dealt with was very professional and made sure I had all the help I needed. I highly recommend this law firm.

    - Valerie

    Quick and consistent.

    Quick and consistent.

    John Buckley was quick and consistent in relaying information to me regarding litigation, and he and his staff were always very supportive of any requests I made. John’s experience and strategic expertise made the difference in dealing with the insurance company, and we achieved the best possible outcome thanks to his vigilance. Cannot recommend BWP highly enough!

    - Richard

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    I don't have the words to describe how wonderful John Parese was to work with. He took my family and I under his wing during a difficult time. He was by our side for 3 years while I was treated. He was thorough, caring, and patient. He was always there to answer questions and made us feel that he was in our corner. John explained our options and walked us through the process many times. It was WAY outside of my comfort zone to go to litigation, but he believed in me and my case. He was phenomenal in court and I was very proud to be part of his team. We are forever thankful and would recommend him to anyone!

    - The Yanellis

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    John Parese is an excellent attorney who provided care that was needed at an extremely difficult and a long period of time. He and his team are very dedicated and gave professional guidance in various aspects. I am very grateful for having received a degree of release for the painful accident, and trauma which was unfortunate and terrifying. Mr. Parese is very kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend his help to people in need.

    - Xueping Q.

    Two thumbs up!

    Two thumbs up!

    John Parese is an amazing attorney! He constantly checked in with me to make sure I was feeling better after my accident and gave me updates on where we were in the process. I never doubted that I was in good hands. Thank you John and also to your team! Two thumbs up!

    - Kristen R.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff. They gave the impression that they really care for their clients. I will call on them again if I need in the future.

    - Kelly B.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    John has assisted me with several issues. He is an excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients. I was able to recover medically knowing John was fully handling the insurance and issues with my case. I will continue to use him in the future.

    - Danielle Q.

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Attorney Parese helped me with my car accident. He is very professional and his team is wonderful. I highly recommend his services for car accidents!!! Thank you John.

    - Walter P.