SANTA CLARITA SPINE INJURY ATTORNEY

​Have you suffered a serious neck or back injury from an accident? Spinal cord injuries are usually caused by a sudden, forceful impact to the spine or back, and they can arise from a wide range of situations, including car accidents. Spinal cord damage often involves displacement of spinal disc elements or serious bruising of the spinal cord tissue, and injuries to this region can cause nerve damage that is difficult to detect. At their most severe, spinal cord injuries can result in complete paralysis.

If you've suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury claim may account for:

• Past medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of past or future wages

Because most spinal cord injuries in the United States result from motor vehicle accidents, violence, or falls, it's important to get legal guidance early. After an accident, many people are unaware of their rights and may unknowingly accept less than they're entitled to. Spinal cord injury cases often take months or years to resolve and can involve multiple investigations, so it's important to speak with an attorney soon after the accident to make sure any claim is filed within California's statute of limitations.

Herniated Discs After a Car Accident

A severe car accident can cause a herniated disc in the spine. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, and over time these discs naturally degenerate. Each disc is filled with fluid, and when a disc is damaged, it can bulge or break — this is a herniated disc, sometimes called a ruptured or slipped disc. When a disc is damaged, fluid inside it can leak, affecting the cushioning between vertebrae. If the herniation is significant, it can put pressure on the nerves running along the spinal column, causing pain that "radiates" throughout the body. This is known as radicular pain. Different nerves in the spine are generally associated with different parts of the body — for example, leg pain is often associated with a lumbar (lower back) herniation, while arm pain often comes from a cervical (neck) herniation.

A herniated disc can be difficult to diagnose because it doesn't show up on a basic X-ray, which is why it's often missed at the hospital immediately after a car accident. A CT scan, MRI, discography, myelography, or electromyography may be needed to diagnose it. Even then, proving the case can be challenging, because you generally need to show the injury is "acute" — meaning related to the accident. If the herniation pre-dates the accident, the argument becomes that it was asymptomatic until the accident aggravated it. This can be a difficult argument, particularly for clients who already have disc bulges at multiple levels, which is common as people age.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

• Cervical spine injuries: involve the neck area (C1–C7 vertebrae) and can result in quadriplegia, where all four limbs are affected
• Thoracic spine injuries: affect the mid-back (T1–T12 vertebrae) and may cause paraplegia; these are less frequent due to the protection provided by the rib cage
• Lumbar spine injuries: occur in the lower back (L1–L5 vertebrae) and often lead to paraplegia, though movement and function may still be present
• Sacral spine injuries: impact the sacral region (S1–S5 vertebrae) and can affect the hips, groin, and lower limbs, often resulting in loss of leg function or bladder and bowel control

Spinal cord injuries are also generally categorized as complete (total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury) or incomplete (some sensory or motor function remains below the level of injury).

Common Approaches to Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
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• Initial care: stabilizing the injury to prevent further harm; corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone are sometimes administered within hours of the injury to reduce inflammation
• Surgical procedures: decompression surgery to relieve pressure from bone fragments, herniated discs, or other obstructions; stabilization with plates, screws, or rods; spinal fusion to connect vertebrae and restrict movement
• Therapy: physical therapy to rebuild strength and mobility; occupational therapy to adapt daily activities; assistive devices such as wheelchairs and braces
• Medication management: pain control and spasticity management
• Ongoing support: psychological counseling and vocational rehabilitation for job retraining and employment guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a herniated disc different from other spine injuries?

A herniated disc involves the cushioning material between vertebrae bulging or breaking, which can put pressure on nearby nerves. Unlike some spinal cord injuries, it often doesn't show up on a basic X-ray and may require an MRI or other imaging to diagnose.

What's the difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury?

A complete injury involves a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. An incomplete injury means some sensory or motor function remains below that level.

Can a pre-existing back condition affect my claim?

It can complicate things, but it doesn't necessarily prevent a claim. If an accident aggravated a pre-existing but previously asymptomatic condition, that aggravation may still be compensable — though it can be a harder case to prove, particularly with degenerative changes at multiple disc levels.

How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in California?

In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. Because these cases often involve lengthy investigation, it's important to consult an attorney as early as possible.

Talk to a Santa Clarita Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
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Contact the Law Office of Robert M. Mansour to understand your rights, evaluate your situation, and get honest, straightforward guidance. We serve Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley. Call or text today for a free consultation.

​Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

Spinal cord injury? Call today for free advice.