NJ Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Brain and spinal cord injury attorneys in Ridgewood serving northern New Jersey

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury can occur in a split second and forever change your life. Sadly, accidents that cause these injuries would usually be preventable were it not for the negligence of another person or corporation. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic brain or spinal cord injury in an accident, Seigel Law is ready to help. We have ample experience representing victims of catastrophic accidents.

Recovering compensation for catastrophic injuries

Catastrophic accidents result in injuries that can leave victims disabled and in need of lifetime assistance. When an accident promises to have this drastic an effect on your life, you need a legal team who will fight for all you deserve. Since we opened our doors in 1976, we have represented victims of head and central nervous system injuries caused by all types of accidents — including premises mishaps, sidewalk falls, medical mistakes and car or transit collisions. We counsel clients throughout northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.

Common causes of brain and spinal cord injuries

The leading causes of TBI and spinal cord injuries are motor vehicle accidents, but there are other causes as well, such as falls onto hard surfaces, especially from a height. Criminal assaults, including beatings with blunt instruments, are another cause of TBI and paralysis. Players of sports such as football, soccer, hockey and boxing commonly suffer head injuries, but even non-contact sports like basketball, figure skating and cheerleading can lead to catastrophic injury when a player hits a hard surface, such as a wooden floor or an ice rink.

Brain injury symptoms

Head injury symptoms vary according to severity. Victims of moderate to severe brain injury can experience:

  • Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours and even coma
  • Persistent and/or worsening headache
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Dilation of the pupils
  • Inability to wake up
  • Weakness or numbness in extremities
  • Loss of coordination
  • Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
  • Slurred speech

Some symptoms do not become obvious until several days or weeks after the accident.

Spinal cord injury symptoms

The extent of a spinal cord injury depends on several factors, including the section where the injury occurs and how much trauma was inflicted.

  • Cervical spinal cord injury — The neck has seven vertebrae, numbered C1 to C7, that make up the cervical spinal cord. Injuries in this section tend to be the most severe, resulting in tetraplegia or quadriplegia, in which there is limited or no sensation below the neck. Paralysis to legs and arms is permanent and many victims suffer speech impairment. Injuries to C2 or C3 are often fatal, because the victim cannot breathe.
  • Thoracic spinal cord injury — This upper and middle area of the spine consists of 12 vertebrae, T1 to T12. Nerves in the area of T1 through T5 help control breathing. Nerves at T6 through T12 affect abdominal and back muscles. Injuries to the thoracic spine can cause paraplegia. Patients can generally move their arms, hands, and upper bodies normally and many are able to live independently.
  • Lumbar spinal cord injury — The lower back is made up of five lumbar vertebrae. Injury here results in function loss in the hips and legs, but some victims may be able to walk with braces. Victims may lose control of their bowels and/or bladder.
  • Sacral spinal cord injury — The lowest part of the spine, or sacrum, is comprised of five bones. Spinal injuries here are rare and less severe, though function of the hips, legs, bowels and bladder can be adversely affected.

If you suffer a severe spinal injury, you are likely to also need a lifetime of treatment and personal care. Our lawyers accurately calculate these costs to seek the compensation to which you are entitled.

Why you need a lawyer for your injury

Without professional representation, it is virtually impossible to get the full measure of damages merited by your injuries. Our team has helped our clients recover compensation that includes:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Pat and future lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Personal care expenses
  • Cost of modifying a home to accommodate disability

Don’t delay. The New Jersey statute of limitations allows you only two years to file a claim.

Learn more about recovering damages for spine and head injuries

Seigel Law in Ridgewood represents victims of serious spinal cord and brain trauma throughout northern New Jersey. Call us at 201-444-4000 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at our office or your home or a hospital. Our firm takes your case on contingency — meaning you do not owe us lawyer fees unless we recover money damages for you.