Managing Partner
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, worldwide, there are between 250,000 and 500,000 people who suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI). In the United States, there are approximately 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury every single year.
SCIs can often prove fatal.
For those who survive suffering a spinal cord injury, life can be very difficult for them and their families, due to the following:
WHO reports that the majority of SCIs are the result of preventable accidents, such as falls and car crashes. Considering the devastation SCIs cause victims and their families, the fact that most could have been prevented is unacceptable.
Those who were injured or lost a loved one due to an SCI caused by someone else’s negligence should talk to a Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible.
You cannot make this call too soon, because every second you wait, evidence crucial to protecting the rights of you or your loved one could be lost.
Please call (747) 241-8288 or send an online message today for a free consultation.
An experienced spinal injury attorney in Los Angeles can be there for victims and families when they need it most. SCI attorneys can guide them through the legal process and pursue justice on their behalf.
Personal injury lawyers negotiate with insurance companies, battle opposing attorneys, and face off against individuals and large corporations on behalf of injury victims and families on a daily basis.
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Los Angeles knows every task that needs to be completed to ensure your rights are defended.
In addition, with them by your side, you can be assured that you’ll have someone fighting for your best interests who knows what he or she is doing, including:
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include the following:
Vehicular accidents account for nearly 32 percent of spinal cord injuries, making them the top cause of all spinal cord injuries.
Under the umbrella of auto accidents, there are truck accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, airplane accidents, as well as snowmobile, boat, bulldozer, train, tractor, and motorcycle accidents. All of which can lead to serious spinal cord injuries.
Slip and Fall accidents account for nearly 30 percent of spinal cord injuries. This can include falls on the same level from slips, trips or stumbles, falls on stairs and steps, falls from a ladder, falls from a tree, falls from scaffolding, falls due to ice and snow, or falls from a cliff, from playground equipment, or into water.
Acts of violence are the third cause of spinal cord injuries—about 14.4 percent. These include gunshot wounds, assault with a blunt object, and falls as a result of being pushed. Acts of violence that result in spinal cord injuries also include explosions, stabbings, and implements.
Sports and recreational activities account for nearly 9 percent of spinal cord injuries.
Diving injuries are the top cause of spinal injuries due to sports or recreational activities, followed by winter sports, surfing, snow skiing, horseback riding, football, parachuting, hang gliding, parasailing, trampoline accidents, wrestling, gymnastics, rodeo, baseball, field hockey, soccer, water skiing, basketball, volleyball, pole vault, auto racing, and swimming.
The remaining spinal cord injuries are the result of medical or surgical complications, pedestrian accidents, and “unclassified,” consisting of such things as machinery accidents, lightning strikes, and being kicked by a large animal.
Spinal cord injuries can be split into the categories below.
The cervical vertebrae hold up the neck, and when this area is injured, the nerves which regulate the posterior of the head as well as affect the arms, hands, diaphragm muscle, and shoulder are affected. Because the diaphragm is used to breathe, such injuries to the cervical vertebrae can be life-threatening.
The thoracic vertebrae are below the cervical vertebrae and control the muscles of the chest, certain areas of the stomach, and specific upper back muscles.
Injuries to the thoracic vertebrae can render the victim unable to move on their own or even to breathe and may also limit the necessary functions of the gastrointestinal region.
The lower back is supported by the lumbar vertebrae which also control the muscles in the buttock region, certain areas of the legs and genitals, the region of the back closest to the hips, and the lower stomach region.
Injuries to the lumbar vertebrae are the most likely to cause paraplegia as well as the cessation of bladder and bowel function.
The sacrum at the base of the spine is formed by five fused vertebrae known as the sacral vertebrae. When this area is damaged, the victim may lose all capability of controlling the lower legs, thighs, and feet.
The tailbone has the medical name of coccygeal vertebrae and damage here controls the sensations in the lower back.
While injuries here can be excruciatingly tender, they tend to be less serious than damage to the other vertebrae. The paralysis or damage to the spinal region will differ according to which area is damaged as well as whether the cord is severely bruised, fractured, partially severed or completely severed.
Many victims of spinal cord injuries must spend the remainder of their life in a wheelchair, and in many cases, expensive home and vehicle accommodations will be required. While the victim who suffers partial paralysis may be able to be self-sufficient to some extent, others may require round-the-clock caretaking.
This level of caretaking can cost astronomical sums of money and even if a family member intends to be the primary caretaker for the injured victim, they are also entitled to be paid for their time.
Glotzer & Leib, LLP is dedicated to ensuring the rights of injury victims and families are protected. Our Los Angeles spine injury lawyers believe that if a person or company’s negligence led to someone getting hurt, they must be held accountable, both for the sake of the victim and to keep others from suffering due to similar negligence.
Our Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer has extensive experience, as his case results show, and will do whatever the law allows to make sure his clients receive the security for their futures and the closure they need.
Call us (747) 241-8288 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about Glotzer & Leib, LLP, or to set up a free consultation.
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
