Free Case Evaluation
Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
We’re here to help when you suffer a spinal cord injury in Minnesota
An injury to the spine can change your life in an instant. Whether it happens in a car crash, a fall, or another kind of accident, spinal cord injuries can leave you dealing with serious pain, limited movement, or even paralysis. These types of injuries aren’t just physically devastating; they’re emotionally and financially overwhelming too. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we help people across Minnesota who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to someone else’s negligence. If your injury was caused by another person’s careless or reckless behavior, you deserve support, compensation, and answers. Our team is here to guide you through the legal process, fight for your rights, and help you rebuild your life.
Free Case Evaluation
How can we help you?
- What is a spinal cord injury?
- What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?
- What are the common causes of spinal cord injuries in Minnesota?
- What is the impact of a spinal cord injury on my life?
- What are the financial costs of a spinal cord injury?
- How can a Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyer help with my case?
- How much compensation am I entitled to for a Minnesota spinal cord injury?
- How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in Minnesota?
- Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant for my Minnesota spinal cord injury case?
- Do you have a Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
What is a spinal cord injury?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from your brain down your back. It acts like a superhighway, carrying messages between your brain and the rest of your body. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can interrupt those messages and cause serious, lifelong problems.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, about 18,000 new spinal cord injury cases happen each year in the United States. These injuries result from trauma like car crashes, falls, sports accidents, or violent acts.
What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are generally divided into two categories: complete and incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury means there is no feeling or movement below the level of the injury. The spinal cord is fully damaged at that point. An incomplete spinal cord injury means there is still some function, like movement or feeling, below the injury. Every incomplete injury is different.
The effects of a spinal cord injury depend on where on the spine the damage occurs:
- Cervical (neck) injuries can result in paralysis in both arms and legs (called quadriplegia or tetraplegia).
- Thoracic (upper back) injuries can affect the chest and legs.
- Lumbar and sacral (lower back) injuries often affect the hips, legs, and pelvic organs.
What are the common causes of spinal cord injuries in Minnesota?
Often, spinal cord injuries are the result of accidents that could have been prevented. Here are some of the most common causes of spine injuries that we see in our law practice:
- Car accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States. These crashes often involve high speeds and violent forces that can severely damage the neck or back.
- Falls are especially dangerous for older adults but can cause injury at any age. A fall from a ladder, a slippery floor, or unsafe stairs can easily result in spinal cord damage.
- Because motorcycle and bicycle riders have less protection, a crash can easily throw someone from their bike and lead to spinal cord trauma.
- High-contact sports like football, wrestling, and diving are common sources of spinal cord injuries, especially in young athletes.
- Gunshots, stabbings, and other assaults can result in traumatic damage to the spine.
- Surgical mistakes, errors during spinal injections, or missed diagnoses can sometimes lead to serious spinal cord injury.
What is the impact of a spinal cord injury on my life?
Spinal cord injuries affect more than just your back. They can change almost every part of your life. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may deal with:
- Paralysis or weakness in the arms or legs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Chronic pain or muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression or anxiety
- Loss of independence
For many people, the road to recovery involves long hospital stays, physical therapy, home modifications, and help with daily tasks.
What are the financial costs of a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries are not only devastating. They’re expensive. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the first year of treatment can cost anywhere from $347,000 to over $1 million, depending on the severity of the injury. Every additional year may cost $42,000 to over $180,000.
If you can’t work due to your injury, that financial strain becomes even heavier. That’s why it’s so important to pursue compensation if someone else caused your injury.
How can a Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyer help with my case?
If your spinal cord injury happened due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses and damages. However, getting that compensation isn’t always easy. Insurance companies often offer lowball settlements or deny valid claims altogether.
That’s where we come in. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we take care of the legal work so you can focus on your recovery. We help you:
- Investigate how your injury happened
- Gather medical records and expert opinions
- Calculate how much your injury has cost and will continue to cost
- Deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- File a lawsuit, if necessary
- Fight for a fair settlement or verdict in court
And, we don’t get paid unless we win your case. This means we’re on your side from day one.
How much compensation am I entitled to for a Minnesota spinal cord injury?
After a spinal cord injury that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the following:
- Medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, medication, and assistive devices
- Future medical costs, including long-term care in or in-home support
- Lost income from the time you missed at work
- Loss of future earnings, if your injury prevents you from returning to your job
- Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional toll of your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if you can no longer do the things you loved
- Home and vehicle modifications, like wheelchair ramps or accessible vans
In some cases, Minnesota courts may also award punitive damages if the at-fault party acted with extreme carelessness or wrongdoing.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including spinal cord injury cases, is six years from the date of the injury. If the injury was caused by medical malpractice, these time limits may be shorter. It’s important not to wait. The sooner you talk to an experienced lawyer, the easier it is to collect evidence, talk to witnesses, and build a strong case.
Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant for my Minnesota spinal cord injury case?
When you’re facing the challenges that come along with a spinal cord injury, you want a team that truly cares. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we’ve been helping Minnesotans recover from serious injuries for decades. Here’s what makes us different than the rest:
- We understand the medical and legal issues that come along with spinal cord injuries. We can handle cases involving paralysis, long-term disability, and significant life changes.
- We take the time to understand your story and goals with our personalized and compassionate client service. You’re not just another case to us. You’re a person who deserves justice.
- We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injury victims across Minnesota. Our goal is to help you get the resources you need to live your best life possible after a spinal cord injury.
Do you have a Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Bradshaw & Bryant proudly serves clients throughout the state from our offices located at 1505 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387, and 701 Xenia Ave. S., Golden Valley, MN 55416. We also offer virtual consultations or travel to meet with seriously injured clients if needed. If you’re in Minnesota and injured, reach out to us.
Contact our Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyers for a free consultation
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious spinal cord injury in Minnesota, don’t wait to get legal help. The team at Bradshaw & Bryant is ready to stand by your side and fight for what you deserve. Let’s talk about your story and how we can help. Call us now or fill out our contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.