Spinal cord injuries in North Carolina

Charlotte, NC Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Representation for victims of spinal cord and paralysis injuries in Mecklenburg County

Spine and spinal cord injuries come in many types, including herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, partial and total paralysis, and more. They have the potential to be serious, permanent, and disabling. Because of the severity of spinal cord injuries, they often require long-term medical care and assistive devices. When this injury occurs from another’s negligence or harm, it’s essential to hold them accountable.

At Price, Petho & Associates, our first step in helping build a case for our clients is to work with experts to understand the nature of their spinal cord injury. With detailed information about how an injury will impact someone’s life now and in the future, our Charlotte attorneys can build the strongest possible case to help clients obtain the full amount of compensation to which they are entitled.

What would you like to know?

What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury (also called an SCI) is a catastrophic injury affecting one of the most important parts of the body. Our spinal cords relay nerve information back and forth from the brain, controlling nearly all the functions our bodies perform. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCIS) reports that about 296,000 Americans live with SCIs.

What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?

Medical professionals refer to spinal cord injuries as “complete” or “incomplete,” with a complete SCI being more severe:

  • A complete SCI means all sensory and motor function below the site of injury is lost.
  • An incomplete SCI means the patient retains some sensory and motor function below the site of injury.

When an SCI patient suffers paralysis from their injuries, they can experience one of two types:

  • Paraplegia, which means part or all of the trunk, pelvis, and legs are affected.
  • Tetraplegia, also called quadriplegia, meaning the arms, hands, trunk, pelvis, and legs are affected.

Often, spinal cord injuries happen from traumatic accidents – typically caused by negligence or recklessness.

What are common causes of Charlotte spinal cord injuries?

The NSCISC reports the following top causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States:

  • Motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents and motorcycle accidents account for over 38% of SCIs annually.
  • Slips and falls. Many spinal cord injuries, especially in senior citizens, happen from falls.
  • Violence. About 14% of SCIs happen from acts of violence, like gunshots or stabbings.
  • Sports injuries. High-impact sports, like horseback riding or cheerleading, have the potential to cause spinal cord injury.
  • Medical conditions. Certain medical issues like cancer or infections can cause SCIs, especially when medical malpractice is involved.

Our legal team investigates how you sustained your injury and exactly who should be held accountable for what happened.

What are the long-term effects of a spinal cord injury?

Because a spinal cord injury is irreversible, a patient must live with the effects of the injury forever. These can change every aspect of a person’s life, potentially affecting their ability to function independently. Some of these effects include:

  • Loss of feeling and sensation
  • Loss of ability to move limbs
  • Breathing and respiratory issues
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Changes in or loss of sexual function
  • Muscle and reflex spasms
  • Chronic pain

The NSCISC reports that, over a lifetime, a person with an SCI may require over five million dollars in medical expenses from their injury – the true costs of an SCI can vary with every patient. It’s imperative to work with experienced attorneys to ensure you recover proper compensation for your injuries and losses.

Who is liable for my Charlotte spinal cord injury?

Any person or party whose negligence, recklessness, or intention caused your spinal cord injury may be held liable for damages. This could include a drunk driver, a manufacturer of a defective product, or the owner of a property where you slipped and fell.

For a successful injury claim, our attorneys show that the negligent party had a duty of care – whether that duty was to act safely behind the wheel or keep their property safe from hazards. We show that they failed in this duty and you suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct result.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that North Carolina is one of few states still using the contributory negligence model in personal injury cases. This means that injury victims cannot claim damages from an at-fault party if they’re found to be in any way responsible for their injuries – even  one percent responsible. This rule is why we always advise consulting with an attorney before making any legal decisions after an injury. We work to ensure the at-fault party is held completely responsible for your spinal cord injury.

Google Reviews

I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.

- C.P.

BEST ATTORNEYS

Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.

- Y. M.

Recent Case Results

What is the value of my Charlotte spinal cord injury claim?

If you or a loved one have experienced an SCI due to another’s negligence, you are likely eligible to file a legal claim against the responsible party. The attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates have decades of experience working to recover compensation for:

  • Coverage for medical expenses, current and future
  • Lost income, if you cannot work because of your injuries
  • Home and vehicle modifications
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Pain and suffering, from physical and emotional pain
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Every person and every case is unique, so there is no “one-size-fits-all” value for a spinal cord injury case. Our lawyers work with our network of professionals and experts to determine the entire scope of your injuries to ensure you recover what you need for the rest of your life.

Spinal cord injuries in North Carolina

Is there a spinal cord injury attorney near me?

Price, Petho & Associates is located at 1430 Elizabeth Ave. in Charlotte, NC, and maintains additional offices in Richmond County and Rutherford County. We proudly serve clients throughout the state. If you are too injured to come to us, we make home and hospital visits.

Experienced Charlotte spinal cord injury attorneys

After a catastrophic burn injury, you need serious legal assistance. The attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates have been serving the people of Charlotte for nearly 40 years, operating under the philosophy of providing the highest quality representation rather than focusing on business growth. We are the lawyers your friends and neighbors trust – contact us today to find out how we can help you with your case. Call 704-372-2160 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients throughout Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Price Petho & Associates in Charlotte, NC

Google Reviews

I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.

- C.P.

BEST ATTORNEYS

Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.

- Y. M.

Recent Case Results