Des Moines Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Iowa Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Questions for a spinal cord injury lawyer in Iowa? Email for free consultation or call 515-495-6316
Spinal Cord Injury in Des Moines Iowa? We can help.
Spinal cord injuries are all too common following a car accident or other type of accident. Spinal cord injuries range from whiplash to herniated discs to spinal fusions to paralysis and everything in between.
A large percentage of the population has, or will, experience “back pain” in their lifetime and many people know, first hand, how debilitating even a relatively minor spine injury can be. Now imagine dealing with a spine injury which was caused by another person’s negligence.
People with spine injuries may struggle with even simple activities of daily living such as playing with their kids, walking their dog, taking out the trash, doing laundry…the list goes on and on.
Treatment of spine injuries can include: chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, and surgery. A relatively new type of treatment that can be employed for certain types of spine injuries is known as a Radio Frequency Neurotomy (RFN). In this procedure, a small electrical wire is used to burn the nerve or nerves that are causing the patient pain. These RFN procedures can be very effective but, unfortunately, in some cases the nerve regenerates and the procedure must be performed, approximately, every eighteen months.
Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented thousands of clients with varying degrees of back injuries sustained in many different types of accidents. Our personal injury lawyers have also seen many different types of treatments for those injuries. Therefore, our lawyers are extremely well versed in discussing back injuries and the legal ramifications surrounding them.
Contact a Des Moines Iowa Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence and have even a “tweak” in your back, contact our personal injury firm today to discuss your situation and options with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.
Call us at 515-495-6316 or EMAIL us today for a free consultation.
Iowa Spinal Cord Injury FAQ
Spinal cord injuries represent some of the most devastating trauma the human body can endure, instantly transforming independent, active individuals into people requiring extensive assistance with basic daily activities. Whether from vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, falls, or acts of violence, damage to the spinal cord disrupts communication between the brain and body, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis below the injury site. The emotional, physical, and financial toll extends far beyond the initial injury, affecting victims and their families for decades. At Law Group of Iowa, we represent spinal cord injury victims pursuing the substantial compensation necessary to cover lifetime medical care, assistive technology, home modifications, and the countless other expenses these catastrophic injuries create.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Spinal Cord Injuries?
Negligent drivers whose crashes cause severe impact forces bear responsibility for resulting spinal trauma. Employers who fail to maintain safe workplaces face accountability when falls or equipment accidents damage spinal cords. Property owners whose hazardous conditions lead to serious falls may be liable for resulting paralysis. Manufacturers of defective vehicles, safety equipment, or products whose failures contribute to injuries can be held responsible. Medical professionals who commit surgical errors or delay critical treatment face malpractice claims. Perpetrators of violent crimes and property owners with inadequate security may share liability. We investigate thoroughly to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injury.
What Types Of Spinal Cord Damage Occur?
Complete spinal cord injuries result in total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury level, causing full paralysis. Incomplete injuries allow some signals to pass through the damaged area, preserving partial function. Tetraplegia or quadriplegia affects all four limbs when injuries occur in the cervical spine. Paraplegia impacts the lower body when damage occurs in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. High cervical injuries can affect breathing and require ventilator support. Lower injuries may preserve arm function while paralyzing legs. Central cord syndrome, anterior cord syndrome, and other specific injury patterns create unique symptom profiles.
Why Do These Injuries Require Lifetime Care?
Spinal cord damage is permanent—current medical science cannot repair severed nerve pathways or regenerate damaged tissue. Victims require immediate emergency surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage. Intensive rehabilitation helps maximize remaining function and teaches adaptive techniques. Ongoing medical management addresses complications including pressure sores, infections, respiratory problems, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Assistive devices including wheelchairs, adapted vehicles, and environmental controls cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Home modifications for accessibility require extensive renovations. Attendant care provides daily assistance with bathing, dressing, transfers, and medical needs.
How Do We Calculate Lifetime Costs?
Life care planners evaluate your specific injury level, age, and prognosis to project comprehensive lifetime needs. Medical professionals estimate ongoing costs for physician visits, medications, equipment, and treatment of complications. Occupational therapists assess home modification requirements and assistive technology needs. Attendant care specialists calculate daily assistance costs over your remaining lifespan. Economists determine the present value of future expenses spanning decades. Wheelchair and equipment specialists project replacement costs as technology advances and devices wear out. This detailed analysis ensures compensation reflects true lifetime financial needs rather than just immediate expenses.
What Damages Address Spinal Cord Injuries?
Emergency medical treatment including trauma care, surgery, and intensive care creates immediate six-figure expenses. Inpatient rehabilitation lasting months provides crucial early intervention costing hundreds of thousands. Future medical care over decades totals millions of dollars for ongoing treatment and complication management. Attendant care costs accumulate to staggering amounts when victims need daily assistance for life. Home modifications including ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and elevator installations require major investments. Adapted vehicle costs allow mobility and independence. Lost earning capacity reflects complete inability to work or severely diminished earnings. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and reduced quality of life deserve substantial non-economic damages.
Why Do Insurance Companies Resist These Claims?
The enormous compensation spinal cord injuries demand makes insurers fight aggressively to reduce payouts. Defense teams argue injuries aren’t as severe as claimed or suggest greater recovery potential than realistic. They challenge life care plans claiming projected costs are inflated or unnecessary. Some dispute liability or argue comparative fault to reduce compensation percentages. Insurance companies hire their own medical professionals who provide opinions minimizing injury severity. They pressure victims to settle quickly for inadequate amounts before understanding full lifetime needs. We counter these tactics with compelling medical evidence and testimony from respected professionals.
How Do These Injuries Affect Families?
Spouses often become primary caregivers, sacrificing careers and personal lives to provide support. Children lose aspects of their relationships with injured parents whose capabilities have fundamentally changed. Family dynamics shift as roles and responsibilities redistribute. Financial strain affects entire households when medical bills accumulate and income stops. Emotional toll includes grief, depression, and anxiety affecting all family members. Loss of consortium claims allow spouses to recover for impact on marital relationships. We document how injuries have transformed family life in ways that extend far beyond the injured person alone.
What Should You Do After Spinal Cord Trauma?
Focus first on medical treatment and rehabilitation—your health and maximizing recovery take absolute priority. Preserve all medical records documenting the injury, treatment, and prognosis. Document how the injury occurred including accident reports and witness information. Keep records of all expenses including medical bills, equipment costs, and modification expenses. Photograph injuries, equipment, and home modifications throughout your journey. Contact us as soon as practical to begin protecting your legal rights. We handle the legal burden while you focus on adaptation and rehabilitation, ensuring evidence is preserved and claims are properly pursued.
Spinal cord injuries demand compensation reflecting their profound and permanent impact on every aspect of life. A spinal cord injury lawyer Iowa victims trust can investigate your injury, work with medical professionals to calculate lifetime needs, and pursue the substantial damages necessary for your care and quality of life. We understand the medical complexities and financial realities these injuries create. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your spinal cord injury and learn how we can fight for the resources you need.
Client Review
“Chris and his team are amazing! Friendly, helpful, and professional. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for all your legal needs!”
Miranda C.
