NEW YORK SPINAL INJURY LAWYER

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New York Spinal Injury Lawyer

Legally Reviewed by:

Alex Nocerino

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Alex Nocerino is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with roots in New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. He has helped injured individuals win hundreds of millions in compensation from large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords.

With 18 years of experience, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2019 and has a five-star Avvo rating. He is a true New Yorker and a successful trial lawyer who is unafraid to go up against even the powerful and combative defendants.

Content Last Updated: November 5, 2024

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The spine column is responsible for supporting the structure of the human body and protecting the delicate spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body. An injury to this vital body part can instantly turn your life upside down. Chronic pain, paralysis, and impaired bodily functions are just a few of the many consequences of a spinal injury.

If someone else’s negligence caused your spinal injury, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injury and related losses. The New York spinal cord injury lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino are ready to fight for you. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT to schedule your free consultation.

Why Choose Chopra & Nocerino To Represent You in Your Spinal Injury Case?

The toll a spinal injury can take on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being is immeasurable. When you turn to our New York City spinal cord injury lawyers, we’ll build a strong case that conveys the full extent of your losses. We’re true advocates who fight for our clients and refuse to back down. That means we’ll pursue the maximum compensation available to help you move forward with your life.

At our firm, we treat our clients like family. This approach can make all the difference when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a life-altering spinal injury. Our attorneys speak multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Greek, Mandarin, and Creole. No matter the circumstances, we’re ready to provide the compassionate, high-quality legal counsel and representation you deserve.

Our Proven Spinal Injury Case Results

Our results speak for themselves. Our New York spinal cord injury lawyers have achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients who have suffered severe spinal injuries. This record of success is the reason why so many people have trusted us to represent them after a catastrophic spinal injury.

$4.7 MILLION

We obtained this settlement right before trial. Scaffolding collapsed on our client, who worked in construction. The incident caused him to fall and sustain

$3.65 MILLION

Our client was involved in a chain-reaction car accident and required single-level fusion spine surgery.

$2.55 MILLION

This went to the estate of a woman who slipped and fell in a supermarket, requiring spinal surgery.

$2 MILLION

A 40-year-old client suffered a spinal injury when her vehicle was struck in Brooklyn.

$1.92 MILLION

A 72-year-old client was rear-ended in Suffolk County and suffered aggravation of an existing spine condition. The case was settled during trial proceedings.

$1.5 MILLION

Our 40-year-old client was injured in a car accident in Brooklyn and required fusion spine surgery.

$1.3 MILLION

Because of a slip and fall in a Marshalls due to accumulated rainwater, our client required one-level spinal fusion surgery.

$1.25 MILLION

A mother and her child were hit by a truck in a crosswalk, with the daughter sustaining severe injuries to her spine.

$1.25 MILLION

A 23-year-old passenger in a taxi required left shoulder surgery and one-level lumbar spine surgery.

Different Types of Spinal Injuries We Handle in New York

The spine’s complex structure and essential role in the body’s nervous system make it susceptible to various injuries. We’ve represented clients with spinal cord injuries, fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, and other conditions across all regions of the spine.

Cervical Spine Injuries

The cervical spine is the uppermost region of the spine, consisting of seven vertebrae (C1-C7) in the head and neck. It connects the brain to the rest of the body, so any injury to this region can affect the entire nervous system. These injuries often affect victims’ lives more dramatically than any other spinal injury, and legal claims for cervical spine injuries tend to have higher average settlement amounts.

Individuals with cervical spine injuries often experience neck pain, headaches, and numbness or tingling in the arms or hands. These symptoms are often associated with herniated discs or fractures in the cervical vertebrae, both of which usually require surgery or bracing. More severe injuries to the cervical spine can cause paralysis from the neck down, requiring ongoing rehabilitation, 24/7 support, and assistive devices like electric wheelchairs.

Thoracic Spine Injuries

The thoracic spine runs from the base of the neck to the mid back. It consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) that control the abdominal and back muscles and provide structure to the rib cage. Injuries to the thoracic spine can cause symptoms from the chest down, including back pain, loss of feeling in the lower body, and difficulty breathing. The nerves in the thoracic spine control many abdominal organs, so damage to this region can also lead to impaired bladder or bowel function. Pain and loss of sensation from thoracic spine injuries can radiate to the arms, legs, and chest.

Treatments for thoracic spine injuries are similar to those for cervical spine injuries, including surgery and bracing. Paralysis is a common outcome of many thoracic spinal cord injuries, and the extent of paralysis depends on the specific vertebrae affected. Individuals with upper-level thoracic spine injuries often require a higher level of care with activities of daily living than those with lower-level injuries. Lawsuits involving thoracic spinal cord injuries require our attorneys to assess your long-term recovery and potential lifelong medical costs.

Lumbar Spine Injuries

The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae (L1-L5) in the lower back that protect the lowest major segment of the spinal cord. Lumbar spine injuries affect the lower body, particularly the legs and hips. Victims may experience difficulty bending their hips, straightening their knees, bending their feet upward, and extending their toes. These injuries may require a wheelchair or leg braces.

People with lumbar spine injuries often lose voluntary control of their bowel and bladder. Special equipment is often required to manage these bodily functions. While most people with lumbar spinal cord injuries can maintain somewhat independent lives with rehabilitation and assistive devices, these cases require extensive medical treatment and may result in a significant financial burden.

Sacral Spine Injuries

The sacral spine, also called the sacrum, contains five vertebrae (S1-S5) fused at the base of the spine. The sacral region controls the pelvic organs, including the bowels, bladder, and sex organs. Damage to the sacral spine can affect hip and leg function, but most people with sacral spine injuries can walk. The greatest impact is often seen in bowel and bladder function, and special equipment is often necessary to manage the condition. Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of a sacral spine injury, but it can greatly impact an individual’s quality of life.

What Compensation Can You Receive for Spinal Injury Cases in New York?

You can seek compensation for a wide range of losses you experienced due to your spine injuries in New York, including economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are losses that come with a specific price tag. Your compensation may include past and future medical expenses for surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and other treatments. You may also receive compensation for lost wages if your injury caused you to miss work. Most spinal injuries affect a person’s ability to return to their previous job, so your economic damages may also include lost earning capacity. Travel expenses for medical appointments and modifications to your home or vehicle are also potential economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and include losses that do not have an obvious monetary value. They’re meant to compensate you for the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of your spine injury. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive Damages

Your compensation may also include punitive damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party for extreme carelessness or intentional harm. These are awarded more rarely than the compensatory damages discussed above, but they can significantly raise the value of your case when available.

How We Approach New York Spine Injury Cases at Chopra & Nocerino

You’re dealing with enough after suffering a spine injury, so leave the legal details to us. Our New York spinal cord injury lawyers are here to support you through every step of your case.

Initial Consultation

It all starts with a free consultation with a member of our legal team. We'll listen to your story and gather the facts to determine if you have a strong case. Our attorneys will explain your legal rights and options so you can decide whether to move forward with a claim.

Investigation & Evidence Gathering

If you decide to work with us, we'll investigate your case and gather all available evidence. This may include speaking with witnesses, getting medical records and expert opinions, and examining available surveillance footage or accident reports.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Whether the person or party responsible for your spine injury is a negligent driver, property owner, or government entity, our team will handle communication and settlement negotiations with their insurance company. Insurance companies use many underhanded tactics to minimize payouts. We're prepared to fight back.

Trial Proceedings

Most cases result in an out-of-court settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we're not afraid to take your case to court. Our New York spinal cord injury attorneys have a reputation for success in the courtroom, which has earned us a place in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

New York Spinal Injury FAQs

You likely have many questions after suffering a spinal injury in New York. We’ve answered a few of the most common ones below to help you better understand your potential case.

What Are the Main Causes of Spine Injuries in NYC?

According to the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB), “each year, approximately 1,100 New York residents suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries, joining the nearly 288,000 people living in the United States with paralysis.” The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are auto accidents, which account for nearly half of all cases. Falls, penetrating injuries like gunshot wounds, and sports injuries are also significant causes.

How Long Do I Have To File a Spinal Injury Claim in New York City?

The New York personal injury statute of limitations normally gives three years from the date of your injury to file a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as when you were under 18 when the injury occurred or the injury was a result of medical malpractice. Contact our attorneys as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed on time.

How Much Is My Spinal Injury Case in New York Worth?

Your spinal injury case’s value depends on your specific circumstances. Factors that may impact your case’s value include injury severity, how it has impacted your life, and whether you are partially at fault for your injury. You can count on our attorneys to calculate the full and fair compensation you are entitled to under the law.

How Much Does a NYC Spinal Injury Lawyer Cost?

We understand that money may be tight after a spinal injury. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Our fee is calculated as a portion of the total compensation we recover for you. Because we offer free consultations, there is no downside to having one of our attorneys review your case.

Chopra & Nocerino: Your Spinal Injury Lawyers in New York

A spinal injury can affect you for the rest of your life. The compensation you receive through a lawsuit can make all the difference as you try to recover and move forward after an accident. Get experienced legal guidance for your spinal injury case and enjoy peace of mind knowing we will fight for the best result possible on your behalf.

Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT today for a free consultation. We are here to help you through this difficult time.

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