San Bernardino Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Have you suffered a spinal cord injury in San Bernardino, CA? Our top San Bernardino spinal cord injury lawyers can help you recover financial compensation.

After an injury to your spine in San Bernardino, the consequences extend far beyond physical limitations, affecting your independence, career prospects, and relationships with those you love.

The medical reality remains stark: unlike bones that mend or muscles that rebuild, spinal cord tissue lacks the ability to regenerate, making most damage irreversible.

Working with our skilled San Bernardino spinal cord injury attorneys becomes essential when facing the overwhelming medical costs, ongoing care needs, and profound life changes that accompany these injuries.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our legal team.

Why Choose Krasney Law Accident Attorneys for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, we have been representing spinal cord injury victims since 1987 from our San Bernardino headquarters. Unlike large firms that handle thousands of cases simultaneously, we provide direct, one-on-one representation where your case receives focused attention from experienced attorneys.

Our firm operates throughout California with additional offices in Ontario and Riverside, ensuring we can meet you wherever is most convenient. We understand that spinal cord injuries create life-changing circumstances that require compassionate legal advocacy combined with aggressive pursuit of maximum compensation.

• Personalized Service: Your case will not be handed off to junior attorneys or paralegals.
• Proven Results: We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for catastrophic injury
• No Upfront Costs: We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call (909) 442-0357 for a free consultation with a dedicated San Bernardino spinal cord injury attorney who will fight for your rights.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury occurs when damage happens to the bundle of nerves that carries signals between your brain and the rest of your body. The spinal cord runs through your vertebrae, which are the small bones that make up your spine.

When these nerves are damaged, they cannot repair themselves like other parts of your body. This means spinal cord injuries often result in permanent changes to your strength, sensation, and bodily functions below the point of injury.

Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete:

• Complete Injuries: The spinal cord is completely severed, causing total loss of function below the injury site.
• Incomplete Injuries: Some nerve pathways remain intact, allowing for partial sensation or movement below the injury.

The location of your injury determines which parts of your body are affected. Injuries higher on the spine typically cause more extensive paralysis than those lower on the spine.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in San Bernardino

Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of spinal cord injuries. San Bernardino’s location at the intersection of major highways like Interstate 10, Interstate 215, and Highway 210 creates high-risk conditions for serious collisions.

Slip and fall accidents frequently result in      spinal cord damage, particularly at construction sites, warehouses, or other locations where safety measures are neglected.

Workplace injuries are particularly common in San Bernardino’s industrial areas. The city’s numerous distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and construction projects can expose workers to dangerous conditions that result in catastrophic injuries.

Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds and assaults, also contribute to spinal cord injuries in our community. Sports and recreational activities round out the primary causes of these life-altering injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Spinal Cord Injury

California law allows you to pursue compensation from any party whose negligence contributed to your injury. Negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused your accident.

Potentially liable parties include:

• Motor Vehicle Operators: Drivers who were distracted, intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise driving recklessly
• Property Owners: Businesses or individuals who failed to maintain safe conditions on their premises
• Employers: Companies that violated workplace safety regulations or failed to provide proper training
• Product Manufacturers: Companies that produced defective vehicles, safety equipment, or other products that contributed to your accident

California’s Comparative Fault Rule

Even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover compensation under pure comparative negligence law. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you will not be completely barred from recovery.

For example, if you are found 30 percent at fault for an accident, you can still recover 70 percent of your total damages.

Recognizing the Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury

Immediate recognition of spinal cord injury symptoms can be critical for your long-term prognosis. If you suspect someone has suffered a spinal cord injury, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to move the person.

Warning signs include:

• Loss of Movement: Inability to move arms, legs, hands, or feet
• Altered Sensation: Numbness, tingling, or complete loss of feeling
• Extreme Pain: Intense pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back
• Breathing Difficulties: Problems breathing or an inability to cough effectively
• Loss of Bladder Control: Inability to control bladder or bowel functions

Even if symptoms seem mild initially, spinal cord injuries can worsen without proper medical intervention. Seeking immediate medical attention is essential for both your health and your potential legal case.

Types of Compensation Available for Spinal Cord Injuries

California law allows you to recover both economic and non-economic damages for injuries caused by another party’s negligence. Our San Bernardino spinal cord injury lawyers work diligently to calculate the full scope of your losses, including future expenses you will incur throughout your lifetime.

Economic Damages

These damages compensate you for your financial losses:

• Medical Expenses: All past and future medical treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and medical equipment
• Lost Income: Wages you have lost and will continue to lose due to your inability to work
• Home Modifications: Costs to make your home wheelchair accessible, including ramps, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms
• Vehicle Modifications: Expenses for hand controls, wheelchair lifts, and other adaptive equipment
• Personal Care: Costs for in-home nursing care, personal assistants, and other necessary support services

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the personal impact of your injury:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injury
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Money for activities and experiences you can no longer enjoy
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for depression, anxiety, and other psychological impacts
• Loss of Consortium: Damages for the impact on your relationship with your spouse

California does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases, unlike some other states.

How We Build Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

Proving negligence in a spinal cord injury case requires thorough investigation and compelling evidence. Our legal team begins working immediately to preserve crucial evidence and build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.

Immediate Evidence Collection

We move quickly to secure evidence before it disappears:

• Accident Scene Investigation: Photographs, measurements, and detailed documentation of the accident location
• Medical Records: Complete documentation of your injuries, treatment, and prognosis
• Witness Statements: Interviews with anyone who saw the accident occur
• Official Reports: Police reports, workplace incident reports, and other official documentation

Expert Witness Testimony

We work with qualified experts who can explain complex aspects of your case to a jury:

• Medical Specialists: Doctors who can testify about your injuries, treatment needs, and long-term prognosis
• Accident Reconstruction Experts: Professionals who can demonstrate how the accident occurred and who was at fault
• Life Care Planners: Specialists who calculate your future medical and personal care needs
• Economic Experts: Professionals who determine your lost earning capacity and future financial needs

Our Legal Process From Consultation to Resolution

We handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery and adapting to your new circumstances. Our process is designed to maximize your compensation while minimizing stress on you and your family.

Free Initial Consultation

We meet with you at your home, in the hospital, or at one of our offices, whichever is most convenient for you. During this meeting, we evaluate your case and explain your legal options at no cost and with no obligation.

Investigation and Case Development

While you focus on your medical treatment, we handle all aspects of building your case. This includes gathering evidence, consulting with experts, and managing all communications with insurance companies.

Settlement Negotiations and Trial Preparation

We demand maximum compensation based on the full extent of your damages. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for a jury verdict.

Understanding the True Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries create both immediate and lifelong expenses that can easily reach into the millions of dollars. We work with medical and economic experts to calculate the true cost of your injury over your entire lifetime.

Immediate costs include emergency medical treatment, surgery, and initial rehabilitation. Long-term expenses include ongoing medical care, personal assistance, home and vehicle modifications, and replacement of medical equipment over time.

Beyond medical expenses, spinal cord injuries typically result in significant lost income. Many victims are unable to return to their previous occupation and may be completely unable to work. We calculate both your immediate lost wages and your reduced future earning capacity.

California’s Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Cases

California law generally gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, so you should consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights.      

However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline. If a government entity is involved in your case, you may face a shorter deadline to file a claim. Additionally, if your injury was not immediately apparent, the statute of limitations may begin when you discovered or should have discovered the injury.

Given these complexities, it is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to protect your legal rights.

Why Choose Local San Bernardino Representation

As a San Bernardino-based firm, we understand the unique challenges facing injury victims in our community. We are familiar with local hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and medical specialists who treat spinal cord injuries.

Our knowledge of local courts, judges, and opposing attorneys gives us strategic advantages in negotiating settlements and trying cases. We have built relationships with medical providers who understand the litigation process and can provide effective testimony.

Additionally, our local presence means we can meet with you regularly and provide the personal attention your case deserves throughout the legal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Help if the At-Fault Party Has No Insurance?

We can explore several options if the responsible party lacks adequate insurance coverage, including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and identifying additional liable parties who may have insurance.

How Do You Handle Medical Bills During My Case?

We can connect you with medical providers who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to wait for payment until your case resolves, and we often negotiate these liens to reduce the final amount owed.

What if My Injury Occurred at Work?

We can handle both workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury lawsuits when your workplace injury involved negligence by someone other than your employer, potentially maximizing your total recovery.

Will My Settlement Be Subject to Income Tax?

Personal injury settlements for physical injuries are typically not considered taxable income under federal tax law, though you should consult with a tax professional about your specific situation.

How Long Will My Spinal Cord Injury Case Take?

The timeline for resolving these complex cases varies widely based on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.

Do You Provide Spanish-Language Services?

Yes, we have bilingual staff members who can assist Spanish-speaking clients throughout the legal process, and we regularly conduct consultations and meetings in Spanish.

Contact Krasney Law Accident Attorneys Today

Time is critical in spinal cord injury cases, both for preserving evidence and protecting your legal rights under California’s statute of limitations. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building your case and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us now for a free consultation with an experienced San Bernardino spinal cord injury attorney. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your case and answer your questions.

We will come to you at the hospital, your home, or wherever is most convenient during this difficult time.