Back and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Colorado Springs

Experienced Colorado Springs Back And Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Serving Victims Throughout Southern Colorado

Back and spinal cord injuries are often very serious and can have a devastating effect on one’s life and family. At Heuser & Heuser, LLP, we recognize the suffering and difficulties a severe back or spinal injury can cause. Our back and spinal cord injury lawyers are committed to providing legal guidance to help victims of back and spinal injuries in Southern Colorado seek compensation for harms and losses due to an injury.

The back and spinal cord injury attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP review the details surrounding the incident to prove liability and claim damages. Our attorneys assess the extent of your existing and future losses in order to seek compensation and help ensure you obtain appropriate medical care. We handle the claim negotiations and the legal process so you can focus on your life.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case.

Key Takeaways:

• Heuser & Heuser, LLP helps back and spinal cord injury victims seek compensation for their injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness in Colorado Springs and throughout Southern Colorado.
• Injury victims should seek immediate medical attention after a back injury or spinal cord injury (SCI), which encourages proper diagnosis, aids physical recovery, and supports an eventual personal injury claim.
• Colorado’s filing deadline for back & spinal cord injury cases can be as short as two years, so victims need to gather evidence and prepare a legal strategy well before that deadline.
• Heuser & Heuser, LLP offers free consultations and can work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay for legal services if Heuser & Heuser, LLP wins compensation for you. It is in your interest to request a free case evaluation today to determine the right next steps for your back injury or spinal cord injury case.

Common Causes of Back and Spinal Cord Injury in Colorado Springs

Back and spinal cord injuries can occur under diverse scenarios:

• Car Accidents: Motor vehicle collisions frequently lead to spinal cord injuries due to the high impact and sudden jolts experienced during crashes. Auto Accidents could involve car accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents. Cases involving work-related car accidents have additional considerations.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Individuals often suffer back injuries when they slip or trip and fall, especially from elevated surfaces like ladders or roofs.
• Other Falling Injuries: Falls among the elderly or frail can lead to serious spinal injuries due to weakened bones and balance issues.
• Sports Injuries: Contact sports and activities like diving can cause significant trauma to the spine.
• Acts of Violence: Assaults involving gunshots or stabbings can penetrate the spinal cord.
• Swimming Accidents: Diving into shallow water can cause immediate and severe spinal cord injuries.
• Trampoline Accidents: These incidents often lead to back injuries due to improper landings or collisions with other jumpers.
• Electrical Accidents: Contact with electrical currents can cause muscle contractions and falls, leading to spinal injuries.

A back and spinal cord injury lawyer at Heuser & Heuser, LLP in Colorado Springs can assess the details of your injury case during a free case evaluation. Tell us your story, and we will tell you if you have a case and assess its potential value.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Effects

The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body, running through the protective vertebrae of the spine. It carries signals that control movement, sensation, and bodily functions.

A spinal cord injury happens when the cord or the surrounding bones, tissues, or blood vessels sustain damage. Trauma from a fall, car crash, or sudden impact can directly affect the spinal cord or indirectly cause harm through pressure or displacement of spinal structures.

Common life-changing effects of spinal injuries can include:

• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility
• Psychological stress

More serious injuries involving spinal cord damage can involve:

• Full or Partial Paralysis
• Loss of Bowel and Bladder Control
• Reduced Life Expectancy
• Death (wrongful death claim)

A back or spinal cord injury can change various aspects of a person’s life:

• Physically: A spinal cord injury may limit movement, cause chronic pain, or lead to permanent disability.
• Emotionally: The frustration, anxiety, and emotional distress of adapting to these changes can take a toll on mental health. Families often face added stress as they step into caregiving roles, juggle responsibilities, or adjust household dynamics.
• Socially: Spinal injuries may isolate a person as they struggle to maintain relationships, work, or hobbies they once enjoyed.
• Financially: The financial burden from a spinal cord injury can also be overwhelming. Treatment, therapy, and long-term rehabilitation often come with steep costs, while lost wages or reduced earning potential stretch resources even further.

The combined challenges from these catastrophic injuries leave many feeling unsupported and unsure of where to turn for help. Tell us what happened to cause your back or spinal cord injury during a free case evaluation, and we will assess the monetary value of your claim and identify the different types of evidence you will need to prove your case. Then you can focus on your life while we seek the money you need to support your overall recovery.

Spinal Cord Injury Severity

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the extent of damage:

• A complete injury leads to the loss of all sensation and movement below the injury site.
• A partial (incomplete) injury leaves some level of function, such as limited movement or sensation.

The degree to which the spinal cord remains intact determines the potential for recovery or long-term effects.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are many common and severe types of spinal cord injuries, which include variations of incomplete spinal cord injury or complete spinal cord injury:

• Incomplete Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): This injury affects all four limbs and the torso, typically from damage to the cervical spinal cord. It often leads to partial loss of sensory and motor functions below the injury site. Injury victims may regain some function over time, depending on their health and rehabilitation efforts.
• Incomplete Paraplegia: This injury affects the lower extremities, usually from damage to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord. It involves partial loss of function and sensation below the injury site, with potential for some recovery.
• Complete Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): This severe injury leads to total loss of motor and sensory functions below the cervical injury site. It significantly impacts the individual’s ability to perform daily activities and often requires extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
• Complete Paraplegia: This injury leads to complete loss of function and sensation in the lower body, typically due to thoracic or lumbar spinal cord damage. It affects mobility and independence, necessitating long-term medical support.
• Anterior Cord Syndrome: This injury involves damage to the front of the spinal cord, affecting motor and sensory pathways. It often leads to loss of movement and pain and temperature sensation below the injury, while touch and proprioception (sense of position and movement in space) may remain intact.
• Central Cord Syndrome: This injury affects the center of the spinal cord, often impairing motor function more in the upper limbs than the lower limbs. Central Cord Syndrome can occur due to trauma or degenerative conditions.
• Brown-Séquard Syndrome: This rare injury involves damage to one side of the spinal cord, leading to loss of movement on the same side as the injury and loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side.

These injuries have profound effects on a victim’s life and capabilities, requiring significant medical bills, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. Our spinal cord injury lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can assess your Colorado Springs spinal cord injury claim during a free consultation and estimate the value of your case while accounting for the past and future impacts of these devastating injuries.

Back Injuries May or May Not Involve Damage to the Spine

Back injuries can affect multiple parts of the back, including the bones of the spine (vertebrae), discs that cushion the vertebrae, surrounding ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues. While these injuries do not always involve the spinal cord, damage like vertebral fractures can sometimes compress or affect it indirectly.

Vertebrae can fracture or dislocate, while discs may herniate or degenerate, putting pressure on nearby nerves. Ligaments and muscles may tear or strain from sudden movements or heavy lifting.

The following are common types of back injuries that can have ongoing debilitating effects:

• Sprains and Strains: These injuries occur when muscles or ligaments in the back are overstretched or torn, often due to sudden movements, heavy lifting, or falls. Sprains or strains can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Many sprains and strains heal with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief, but severe cases may require physical therapy.
• Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc): This injury involves the soft center of a spinal disc pushing through a tear in its exterior, irritating nearby nerves. A slipped disc can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. Herniated discs often occur from lifting heavy objects improperly or due to traumatic events. They can also lead to pinched nerves. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, or injections.
• Fractured Vertebra: A vertebral fracture can occur due to trauma, such as car accidents or falls, or from conditions like osteoporosis. A fractured vertebra causes severe pain, potentially involves nerve damage, and may lead to a hunched posture. Treatment often includes bracing, physical therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
• Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when a vertebra slips out of place, often due to fractures, congenital defects, or degenerative diseases. It can cause back pain, stiffness, and nerve compression. Treatment includes physical therapy, bracing, or surgery to stabilize the spine.
• Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of spaces within the spine, putting pressure on the nerves. It often occurs due to aging and can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and limbs. Treatment may involve physical therapy, medications, or surgery to relieve pressure.

Back injuries can limit mobility, reduce the ability to perform daily tasks, and negatively impact quality of life. Persistent back pain, numbness, or weakness might indicate a serious injury requiring medical intervention or ongoing treatment.

Our experienced personal injury attorney team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP are here to guide you through the entire legal process as we seek the maximum compensation from the negligent party under Colorado personal injury law. When pursuing a claim, we take care to account for your current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and your physical and emotional pain due to the injury. Request your free consultation today.

How To Determine Whether You Have A Back or Spinal Cord Injury Case in Colorado Springs

A back or spinal cord injury victim can determine if they have a valid case by scheduling a free consultation with a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer at Heuser & Heuser, LLP. During this meeting, our intake team assesses the facts of the injury, including how it occurred, who may be at fault, and the extent of the damages.

Statute of Limitations for Back and Spinal Cord Injuries in Colorado

Colorado law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including back and spinal cord injuries, with a three-year limit for injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions. Delaying action could mean losing the opportunity to seek compensation.

Request a free consultation with a back and spinal injury attorney at Heuser & Heuser, LLP as soon as possible to help protect your rights.

Proving Liability for Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Proving liability for back or spinal cord injuries in Colorado Springs, you and your attorney must show that the following four elements are present:

• Duty of Care: The defendant had a duty to avoid causing harm to the plaintiff.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold their duty to avoid causing harm to the plaintiff.
• Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty caused the accident that harmed the plaintiff.
• Damages: The plaintiff suffered specific and measurable harms and losses due to the accident caused by the defendant’s breach of duty.

Demonstrating these elements requires evidence that the defendant acted negligently or intentionally caused harm.

Evidence to prove liability may include:

• Photos or videos of the accident
• Medical records
• Witness statements
• Expert testimony

Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule, which reduces potential compensation based on the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is found 50% or more at fault, they are not eligible to claim damages.

Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can assess your degree of fault and estimate what your claim is worth during a free case evaluation.

What Compensation Can I Pursue in a Back or Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

Spinal cord injury or back injury victims in Southern Colorado can seek monetary compensation for the various specific harms and losses they have suffered and expect to suffer in the future due to their injury caused by someone else’s negligence. These specific losses are called damages.

Damages accounting for monetary losses (such as medical expenses or lost wages) are categorized as economic damages, while subjective losses like pain and suffering are categorized as non-economic damages. Below, we explore several damages that may apply in your back or spinal cord injury claim:

• Medical Expenses: Victims can pursue compensation for past and future medical bills related to the injury. This may include doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests like x-rays or MRIs, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation programs, assistive devices or medical equipment like wheelchairs or walkers, home healthcare services, and other specialized medical care.
• Lost Wages: Compensation can cover income lost due to missed work while recovering. It may also account for reduced earning capacity if the injury limits future work.
• Pain and Suffering: Victims may seek compensation for physical pain, emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma), and the overall reduction in their quality of life caused by the injury.

Our Colorado Springs back and spinal cord injury law firm estimates what your claim is worth during a free case evaluation, and then we can work on a contingency fee basis to gather evidence to prove your case and negotiate for an appropriate settlement. Tell us your story, and we will tell you what your case is worth. Heuser & Heuser, LLP handles the legal processes so you can focus on your life and your recovery.

We Tell Your Story To Seek Appropriate Compensation for a Back or Spinal Cord Injury

At Heuser & Heuser, LLP, we understand that a serious injury can disrupt every part of your life. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to helping injury victims tell their stories and pursue fair compensation. Our team supports clients through each phase of the process in Colorado Springs spinal cord personal injury cases:

• Identifying Damages: Heuser & Heuser, LLP starts by assessing the scope of the victim’s injuries and their impact on daily life. This includes calculating medical treatment costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. For example, someone unable to work for months due to a spinal disc injury may be eligible for compensation including both missed pay and ongoing treatment.
• Gathering Evidence: The firm collects necessary documentation to support the claim, such as accident reports, medical records, photos, and witness statements. For instance, we may use traffic camera footage to demonstrate fault in a motor vehicle accident or collect detailed medical evidence to show the long-term effects of a back injury.
• Coordinating With Medical Providers: Heuser & Heuser, LLP works with doctors and healthcare teams to track the victim’s treatment and properly document the victim’s injuries and recovery progress. We incorporate this information to advocate for financial compensation accounting for not only current costs, but also potential ongoing medical needs.
• Negotiating for a Fair Settlement: The legal team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP represents the victim in discussions with the at-fault party or their insurance company. Our firm seeks to recover the maximum compensation under the law by pursuing an agreement that reflects the client’s financial losses and life changes, including long-term or permanent impairments and future medical expenses related to the injury.
• Keeping the Client’s Recovery in Mind: By alleviating complex legal stress, Heuser & Heuser, LLP allows clients to focus on healing. We seek to minimize disruptions to the medical care process as we handle the legal aspects of the case.

If the negligent party does not agree to a reasonable settlement, we will pursue a back or spinal cord injury lawsuit on the victim’s behalf, seeking to recover compensation to support their recovery.

What Comes Next in a Back or Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Southern Colorado?

Our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you through this process to pursue a personal injury claim following a back injury or a spinal cord injury in Southern Colorado:

• Free Case Evaluation: The process starts with a consultation to review the details of the injury and discuss potential compensation. At Heuser & Heuser, LLP, this evaluation is free, offering victims a chance to explore legal options without obligation.
• Gathering Evidence: Injury victims, alongside their legal team, collect key documents to support their claim. This usually includes medical records, car or truck accident reports, photos, video recordings, and witness testimonials. For example, imaging such as MRIs or X-rays may demonstrate the extent of a spinal cord injury.
• Calculating Damages: The next step involves assessing the financial and non-financial losses caused by the injury. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing medical treatment needs, and pain and suffering, allowing for a clear calculation of what should be pursued.
• Filing the Claim: Your attorney formally files a personal injury claim with the appropriate parties, whether against an individual, business, or insurance company. Colorado allows two years for the majority of injury claims, or three years if a motor vehicle is involved, according to the applicable statute of limitations.
• Negotiating Compensation: The legal team at our law firm engages in negotiations with the party responsible or their insurer. We advocate for fair financial support that accounts for past, current, and future damages related to the injury.
• Review of Settlement Offers: Once a settlement offer is made, you have a chance to review it with your attorney and decide whether to accept it. We guide back and spinal cord injury victims to consider the amount offered and decide whether it reflects the seriousness of the injury, potential ongoing treatment, and its life impact. You may choose to pursue a better settlement if a given offer does not sufficiently account for the harms and losses from the injury.
• Trial, if Negotiations Stall: If both sides cannot agree on a fair amount, the claim may proceed to court. This step involves presenting evidence and testimony to a judge or jury for consideration.

Tell us your story during your free case evaluation. We will tell you if you have a claim and assess what your claim may be worth. We will then explain what the next steps are in your unique case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Heuser & Heuser, LLP to Assess Your Back or Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Colorado Springs

If you have suffered a back injury or spinal cord injury in Colorado Springs or the surrounding Southern Colorado area caused by someone else’s negligence, our spinal cord injury attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you to pursue monetary compensation. Our law firm will evaluate your case for free, and we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win money for you in your case.

While our personal injury lawyers provide you legal representation, you can focus on your life and recovery. We know how to avoid the serious pitfalls that can harm your personal injury case. We are dedicated to giving you peace of mind while we seek justice and the money you need to cover your losses and support your recovery.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case and begin your path to recovery and justice.

Southern Colorado Locals Committed to Providing Clear Guidance to Pursue Better Health and Fair Compensation.