Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious and life-altering injuries a person can experience. Victims may face permanent disability, chronic pain, and significant changes to daily life. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 17,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States.

The costs of medical care for treating these personal injuries can be overwhelming, and you may not be able to work following the accident that caused you harm. How will you provide for your family? Will you be able to make a full recovery?

At David I. Fuchs Injury Law, our legal team understands what you’re going through. With more than 30 years of experience, we help injury victims pursue fair compensation so they can focus on recovery and rebuilding. Schedule your free consultation today with a Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury attorney who’s ready to advocate for you.

How David I. Fuchs Injury Law Can Help After a Spinal Cord Injury in Florida

In a spinal cord injury case, one of the first steps your attorney will take is identifying who was at fault and proving their negligence. Establishing liability is essential to securing compensation.

A skilled personal injury lawyer will then advocate for damages specific to spinal cord injuries, including long-term medical treatment, in-home care, mobility devices, and necessary modifications to your home or vehicle. Future expenses and lost earning potential will also be factored into your claim.

Without experienced legal representation, you may face an uphill battle. Negligent parties often deny responsibility, and insurance companies are rarely motivated to offer fair compensation. Having a dedicated Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury attorney levels the playing field and gives you a stronger chance at a successful outcome.

“Mr. Fuchs is a hard nosed lawyer who worked tirelessly for his clients and always goes the extra mile to keep in touch and keep you informed of what is going on with your case I highly recommend Mr. Fuchs” — Andy N.

Why Choose David I. Fuchs Injury Law?

People who suffer serious injuries often turn to Attorney David I. Fuchs because they know he will fight for the fair compensation they need. Since 1988, David I. Fuchs Injury Law has approached every personal injury case with dedication, compassion, and a commitment to a strong attorney-client relationship.

If you’re considering our firm for your spinal cord injury case, you can expect us to listen closely, evaluate your legal options, and offer personalized guidance every step of the way. As a solo practitioner, Attorney David I. Fuchs provides direct attention to every client so that your case never gets lost in a crowd.

We understand how devastating it is to suffer a catastrophic injury, especially when it could have been avoided. You shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone. Let us help you pursue justice and seek the financial recovery needed to move forward.

Recent Settlement Wins at David I. Fuchs Injury Law

David I. Fuchs Injury Law has a long-standing track record of securing strong results for clients in serious injury cases. Over the years, we’ve successfully resolved numerous claims and helped people move forward after catastrophic accidents, including spinal cord injuries.

As a seasoned negotiator and trial lawyer, Attorney David I. Fuchs uses strategic, personalized legal approaches to pursue full and fair compensation for clients across Fort Lauderdale and South Florida. Recent personal injury case results include:

• $1.8 million — Traumatic brain injury
• $1.3 million — Wrongful death
• $1.3 million — Traumatic brain injury
• $325,000 — Multi-vehicle accident
• $300,000 — Motorcycle accident
• $225,000 — Premises liability
• $125,000 — Negligent supervision
• $125,000 — Car accident in Broward
• $120,000 — Hotel slip-and-fall

Testimonials

“David I. Fuchs comes highly recommended for anyone in need of a top-notch accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale. With over three decades of experience, his firm is known for its client-focused approach, maintaining strong communication and offering personalized legal strategies. They are particularly adept at negotiating with large insurance companies and handling complex courtroom cases. A great choice for effective and compassionate legal representation.” — Fabio V.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. David I. Fuchs, the injury law expert in Fort Lauderdale. When I urgently needed legal guidance, he was on the spot, providing precise and honest information. David’s quick responsiveness, combined with his accuracy and transparency, made a significant impact during a challenging time I was facing due to a total loss in a car accident. I greatly appreciate his professionalism and recommend his services to anyone seeking a trustworthy and reliable injury law attorney in South Florida.” — Israel A.

“They did a great job with keeping me updated with my case. I would refer them to anybody in the future.” — Darcy I.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and nerve fibers responsible for transmitting signals from a person’s brain to their body. A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when this bundle of nerves is damaged, often due to trauma such as a car accident, fall, or sports-related incident. Non-traumatic causes, like tumors or infections, can also result in SCI.

Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt communication between the brain and body, causing partial or complete loss of sensation, mobility, or motor control. Some injuries may be temporary, while others lead to permanent disability.

The effects of an SCI often depend on the location and severity of the injury. Damage to the upper spinal cord may result in quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia), affecting all four limbs. Injuries lower on the spine may cause paraplegia, impacting the legs and lower body.

What Are the Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury can affect a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Common effects include:

• Paralysis
• Loss of sensation, numbness, or tingling
• Impaired bodily functions, such as bladder and bowel control
• Head, neck, or back pain
• Muscle weakness or reduced coordination
• Breathing difficulties
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in sexual function
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Depression

Additionally, people who sustain an SCI often face social and occupational challenges, significantly affecting their daily lives and ability to work.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries generally fall into one of two categories.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

This is when there is no movement or sensation below the point where the spinal cord was harmed. Both sides of the body are affected equally.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

This type of injury occurs when there is only a partial loss of movement or sensation below the point where the spine was injured.

Depending on where the injury occurs, you may experience quadriplegia (affecting all four limbs) or paraplegia (affecting the lower body). Some people retain limited movement or sensation, while others may lose fine motor control even if they can still move their arms or legs.

A Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury attorney can work with your medical team to understand the scope of your injury and help you plan your next steps.

Areas of the Spine Where Injuries Occur

The spinal cord is divided into five main regions, each of which plays a critical role in the body’s mobility and function. Injuries can occur in any of these areas:

Cervical Spine (C1–C7)

Located at the top of the spine, this section controls signals to the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Injuries here are often the most severe and may result in quadriplegia.

Thoracic Spine (T1–T12)

Found in the upper and mid-back, the thoracic spine affects the chest and abdominal muscles. Injuries in this area may impact balance, posture, and trunk control.

Lumbar Spine (L1–L5)

The lumbar spine is in the lower back. Damage here can affect the hips, legs, and bladder or bowel control. It often leads to paraplegia.

Sacrum (S1–S5)

These vertebrae connect the spine to the pelvis and influence the hips, groin, and legs.

Coccyx

Also known as the tailbone, the coccyx is made up of four fused vertebrae at the base of the spine. While less likely to cause paralysis, injuries here can still result in chronic pain and discomfort.

What Usually Causes Spinal Cord Damage?

According to the NSCISC, vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, responsible for 38.3% of the total injuries suffered. Surprisingly, slips and falls are the second highest cause of injuries to the spine, responsible for approximately 32% of the total number of injuries. The remaining common causes of spinal cord injuries break down as follows:

• Violence (primarily gunshot wounds) – 13.8%
• Sports injuries – 8.2%
• Medical/Surgical – 4.6%
• Other – 3.5%

Car and other vehicle accidents are typically the result of unsafe or reckless driving, and medical or surgical errors often fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice. Many falls are also the result of the negligence of or lack of maintenance by a property owner. As a result, you could argue that avoidable accidents cause at least 50% of spine injuries. Regardless of the specific cause, a seasoned Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is here to help you with the legal process and with recovering compensation from a spinal cord injury.

Who is Liable for My Spine Injury?

To successfully win a spinal cord injury claim, you and your attorney must prove the liability with convincing evidence that another party was to blame. Liability is legal terminology referring to the party who is responsible for causing harm and is demonstrated by showing they made a decision or committed an action that led to injury.

Examples of potential liable parties include negligent drivers, property owners, employers, or manufacturers of defective products, to name a few. It is vital to establish fault to be in a position to be eligible to receive a compensation award for injuries.

Establishing Negligence in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Negligence is a central component in an SCI personal injury case. To establish negligence, four elements are required to prove fault: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Duty of Care

Duty of care is the legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm to others. Homeowners, businesses, and drivers are obliged to follow cautions or implement safe conditions to avoid causing injury. Examples of not exercising a duty of care are drivers failing to follow traffic laws, businesses failing to remove ice or mark wet floors, or homeowners leaving hazards on their premises.

Breach of Duty

A breach occurs when an individual fails to meet their duty of care or fails to act with a level of care, leading to potential harm. For instance, drivers who speed or ignore traffic signals breach their duty of care, as do business owners who fail to provide safety equipment or homeowners who fail to fix a broken walkway.

Causation

Causation is the link between the breach of duty and the injury sustained. To win a personal injury claim for an SCI, it is essential to prove that the breach directly caused damage to the spinal cord. Attorneys will often bring in expert testimony to help establish a link between an accident and the injury.

Damages

Damages are the quantifiable losses resulting from the spinal cord injury, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Plaintiffs must document these losses to successfully navigate compensation claims.

Common Issues Faced By Spinal Cord Injury Victims

Accident victims suffering from a spinal cord injury often experience many daily challenges, including but not limited to:

• Chronic pain
• Mobility limitations
• Respiratory complications
• Psychological effects (e.g., depression)

Access to services that help achieve independence is another major issue people sustaining an SCI face. Additionally, families also face difficulties as they care for their loved one and may experience financial pressures, emotional strain, and have to make lifestyle adjustments.

What’s the Statute of Limitations to File a Spinal Cord Claim?

The state of Florida imposes a two-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim for a spinal cord injury. Speak to your attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your window to file.

The Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spine can be truly catastrophic. The NSCISC reports that medical treatment in the first year can range from $359,000 to over $1 million, with lifetime costs ranging from $1.6 million to $4.8 million. If you don’t have health insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover the entirety of your treatment, these expenses could leave you in financial ruin.

The costs of a spinal injury extend far beyond medical bills. You may be permanently disabled and unable to work. You might not be able to take care of your family. You may require special transportation or other accommodations that you have to pay for out of pocket. Family members may even have to take time out of their lives and away from their jobs to help with your care.

Finally, you also must consider the non-monetary costs of a spinal cord injury. The stress and anxiety that come from such harm can be devastating. Victims often become depressed as they struggle through their recovery and have a lower-than-average life expectancy. Even if the medical bills are covered, spine damage carries a heavy cost to both you and your family. David Fuchs understands this and can pursue compensation that accounts for all the losses of your spinal cord injury.

What Damages Available in Florida for a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?

Victims sustaining a spinal cord injury in Florida are eligible to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are those calculable losses, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, medications, lost wages, and decreased earning capacity, to name a few.

Non-economic damages include those losses that do not have a specific cost attached, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, decreased quality of life, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Rarer, but also possible, is the ability to pursue punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. These are typically awarded to punish the responsible party or to set an example to others of what can happen with egregious behaviors or actions.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for Help

If you have suffered an injury to your spine, David I. Fuchs Injury Law knows how difficult it is to think about what lies ahead. You need to focus on your recovery, but you need someone with experience in personal injury law to work for your future.

Attorney David I. Fuchs is a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney and has the experience and the dedication you need to receive the financial compensation you deserve. Call our law firm today at (954) 568-3636 to schedule your free case evaluation. If you prefer, you can also fill out our convenient online contact form, and our office will contact you. Our staff speaks English and Spanish.