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A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant. Whether caused by a car accident on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, a construction site fall, or a slip on an icy sidewalk, these catastrophic injuries often result in permanent disability, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence in Brooklyn, you need experienced legal representation to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Parker Waichman LLP, our Brooklyn spinal cord injury lawyers understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take on victims and their families. With over $2 billion recovered for injury victims and more than 20 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases, our legal team provides the aggressive advocacy and compassionate support you need during this challenging time. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs—we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact our Brooklyn office at 800-968-7529 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your spinal cord injury case.
At Parker Waichman LLP, our Brooklyn spinal cord injury lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation. We work to maximize compensation for catastrophic injury victims.
Our legal team conducts thorough investigations to build the strongest possible case. We gather evidence from accident scenes and obtain police reports and incident documentation. We collect medical records detailing the full extent of injuries. Additionally, we interview witnesses who can provide important testimony. We review surveillance footage when available. We also work with accident reconstruction professionals who can demonstrate how the incident occurred and who bears responsibility.
Spinal cord injury cases require extensive medical documentation. We consult with neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation professionals, and other medical authorities and experts. They can explain the nature and extent of your injuries to insurance companies and juries. We work with life care planners who develop comprehensive plans detailing all future medical needs and associated costs. This approach helps us account for every aspect of your long-term care when calculating damages.
We identify all potentially responsible parties. These may include negligent drivers, property owners, employers, construction companies, product manufacturers, and medical professionals. We prove negligence by demonstrating that the defendants owed you a duty of care. We show they breached that duty through careless or reckless conduct. Furthermore, we establish that they directly caused your spinal cord injury. We hold all responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused.
Accurately calculating damages in spinal cord injury cases requires sophisticated analysis. Our lawyers work with economists to calculate lost earning capacity over your expected work life. We consult with life care planners to determine the costs of future medical care, equipment, home modifications, and assistance. We document all economic and non-economic damages properly. Then we include them in your claim.
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts on catastrophic injury claims. Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers. Our firm fights for maximum compensation. We refuse to settle for inadequate offers that fail to account for the full extent of your losses. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This strengthens our negotiating position.
While many cases settle through negotiation, we are always prepared to take your case to court when necessary. Our trial attorneys have successfully represented spinal cord injury victims in courtrooms throughout New York. We present compelling evidence, testimony, and persuasive arguments. These demonstrate the full impact of your injuries and the compensation you deserve.
We understand that spinal cord injury victims and their families face overwhelming challenges. Our attorneys provide compassionate support throughout the legal process. We maintain regular communication and keep you informed of all developments in your case. We handle all legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery and adjustment to your new circumstances.
With over $2 billion recovered for injury victims, Parker Waichman LLP has the resources, experience, and commitment to handle even the most complex spinal cord injury cases. Our founding partner, Jerrold S. Parker, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions from 2010 through 2026. Partner Melanie H. Muhlstock has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers List annually since 2014.
A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages the delicate bundle of nerves that runs through the spinal column. This disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. These injuries rank among the most catastrophic and life-altering conditions a person can experience. They often result in permanent paralysis, loss of sensation, and the inability to perform basic daily activities.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the United States each year. In Brooklyn, with its dense population, heavy traffic, ongoing construction projects, and aging infrastructure, residents face particular risks for these devastating injuries. The bustling streets of Downtown Brooklyn present hazards that can lead to spinal cord trauma. Additionally, the congested highways connecting to Manhattan and Queens create dangerous conditions. The numerous construction sites throughout the borough also pose significant risks.
The consequences of a spinal cord injury extend far beyond the initial trauma. Victims often require emergency surgery, months of intensive rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and round-the-clock assistance. Many spinal cord injury survivors cannot return to their previous employment. This results in significant lost income and diminished earning capacity. The lifetime costs of caring for a spinal cord injury victim can reach into the millions of dollars. Therefore, pursuing full and fair compensation from those responsible becomes critical.
Spinal cord injuries are classified based on their severity and location along the spine. Understanding these classifications helps determine the extent of disability and the level of care required. The Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive information about spinal cord injury symptoms and causes.
Spinal cord injuries in Brooklyn result from various types of accidents and incidents. Many of these could have been prevented through reasonable care and safety measures.
Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents represent the leading cause of spinal cord injuries nationwide. Brooklyn’s congested streets and intersections see frequent serious collisions. These include the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Atlantic Avenue, and Flatbush Avenue. High-speed crashes, T-bone accidents at intersections, and rear-end collisions can generate the tremendous force needed to damage the spinal cord. Additionally, accidents involving distracted drivers or impaired drivers create significant risks. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by vehicles also face a substantial risk of spinal trauma.
Falls are the second most common cause of spinal cord injuries. They represent the leading cause among older adults. In Brooklyn, slip and fall hazards include icy sidewalks during the winter months and poorly maintained staircases in older apartment buildings. Inadequate lighting in parking garages and wet floors in commercial establishments also create dangers. Furthermore, construction site falls from scaffolding, ladders, or elevated work platforms pose serious risks. Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises may be held liable when falls result in spinal cord injuries.
Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, and assaults, account for a significant percentage of spinal cord injuries. Inadequate security at apartment buildings, bars, nightclubs, and other establishments can contribute to these tragic incidents. This potentially creates premises liability for property owners.
Athletic activities, particularly contact sports, diving accidents, and extreme sports, can result in spinal cord trauma. Gyms, sports facilities, and recreational areas have a duty to provide proper safety equipment and supervision.
Brooklyn’s ongoing development and infrastructure projects create numerous construction sites. Workers face risks of falls, being struck by falling objects, scaffolding collapses, and equipment accidents. Under New York Labor Law, construction workers injured in spinal cord accidents may have claims against property owners and general contractors. These claims come in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
Surgical errors during spinal procedures, anesthesia complications, delayed diagnosis of spinal conditions, and improper treatment can cause or worsen spinal cord injuries. Medical professionals who deviate from accepted standards of care may be held accountable for resulting harm due to medical malpractice.
Recognizing the symptoms of a spinal cord injury is critical for obtaining prompt medical treatment. This can significantly impact long-term outcomes.
The long-term consequences of spinal cord injuries affect virtually every aspect of a victim’s life.
Spinal cord injury victims in Brooklyn may be entitled to substantial compensation. This covers the full range of damages they have suffered and will continue to experience.
Economic damages compensate for measurable financial losses. Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization costs for spinal cord injuries typically run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Surgery and rehabilitation expenses continue for months or years after the initial injury. Ongoing medical care includes regular physician visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling.
Prescription medications for pain management, muscle spasms, and other complications create ongoing expenses. Medical equipment and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, ventilators, and communication devices can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Home modifications, including ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and stairlifts, enable victims to live as independently as possible. Vehicle modifications with wheelchair lifts and hand controls restore some mobility.
Many spinal cord injury victims require in-home care or nursing assistance for daily activities. This costs thousands of dollars per month. Lost wages from time off work during recovery represent immediate financial losses. More significantly, loss of future earning capacity accounts for the income victims would have earned over their remaining work life. However, they can no longer generate this income due to their disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation services may help some victims transition to new careers within their physical limitations.
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses that profoundly affect the quality of life. Pain and suffering encompass both the physical pain from the injury and the ongoing discomfort from complications and secondary conditions. Emotional distress and mental anguish reflect the psychological trauma of adjusting to life with a catastrophic disability.
Loss of enjoyment of life compensates for the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, and experiences that previously brought joy and fulfillment. Loss of consortium addresses the impact on relationships with spouses and family members. This includes loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy. Disfigurement or permanent disability damages recognize the lasting physical changes and limitations victims endure.
In cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm, New York courts may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Successfully recovering compensation for a spinal cord injury requires proving that another party’s negligence caused your injuries.
New York personal injury law requires proving four elements: (1) Duty of Care—the defendant owed you a legal duty to act reasonably under the circumstances; (2) Breach of Duty—the defendant failed to meet that duty through careless, reckless, or intentional conduct; (3) Causation—the defendant’s breach directly caused your spinal cord injury; and (4) Damages—you suffered actual harm resulting in economic and non-economic losses.
Building a strong case requires comprehensive evidence. Accident scene photographs and videos document conditions and contributing factors. Police reports and incident reports provide official documentation of what occurred. Medical records and diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, establish the nature and extent of spinal cord damage. Witness testimony from people who saw the accident or can speak to the defendant’s negligence provides important support. Professional opinions from medical authorities, accident reconstruction professionals, and other qualified individuals help establish liability and damages. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may capture the incident. Employment records and financial documentation prove lost income and earning capacity.
Spinal cord injury cases typically require expert testimony from multiple professionals. Medical authorities, including neurologists, surgeons, and rehabilitation professionals, explain the injury, treatment, prognosis, and future medical needs. Accident reconstruction professionals analyze how the incident occurred and who bears fault. Vocational rehabilitation professionals assess your ability to work and potential for retraining. Life care planners develop comprehensive plans for future care needs and costs. Economic professionals calculate lost earning capacity and the present value of future losses.
Depending on how your injury occurred, various parties may be held liable. Negligent drivers who cause car accidents through speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving bear responsibility for resulting injuries. Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises may be liable for slip and fall accidents and other hazardous conditions. Employers and construction companies that violate safety regulations may be liable for workplace accidents. Product manufacturers can be held liable when defective equipment or products cause spinal cord injuries. Medical professionals who commit malpractice during surgical procedures or treatment may be liable for resulting harm. Government entities may be liable for dangerous road conditions or other hazards on public property.
Several New York laws significantly impact spinal cord injury claims and the compensation available to victims.
New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214 establishes a three-year deadline to file personal injury lawsuits from the date of injury. Missing this deadline typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation. This applies regardless of the severity of your injuries or the strength of your case. Claims against government entities face significantly shorter deadlines that vary by the defendant. For municipal entities such as the City of New York, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days and commence a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Claims against New York State follow procedures under the Court of Claims Act, and other public authorities may have their own specific requirements. Because these deadlines are strict and vary, it is essential to consult an attorney immediately after an injury to protect your rights. Given these strict time limits, contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your injury is critical to protecting your rights.
New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule under CPLR § 1411. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident that caused your spinal cord injury. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible for the accident and your total damages equal $5 million, you can recover $4 million (80% of the total). This rule allows victims who bear some responsibility for their injuries to still obtain compensation for the harm caused by others.
New York’s no-fault insurance system requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This pays for initial medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to policy limits. However, to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in New York Insurance Law § 5102(d). Spinal cord injuries virtually always meet this threshold. It includes permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, significant limitation of use of a body function or system, or a medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the occurrence of the injury.
Workplace spinal cord injuries typically fall under New York’s workers’ compensation system. This provides benefits for medical treatment and partial wage replacement without requiring proof of employer fault. However, workers’ compensation benefits are often inadequate for catastrophic injuries. Fortunately, if a third party (someone other than your employer) contributed to your injury, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against that party. You can do this while also receiving workers’ compensation benefits. For example, if you were injured in a construction accident due to a defective piece of equipment, you might have a product liability claim against the manufacturer. This comes in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
Construction workers injured in spinal cord accidents have special protections under New York Labor Law Sections 240, 241, and 200. Section 240, known as the “Scaffold Law,” imposes absolute liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related injuries such as falls from heights. Section 241 requires compliance with specific safety regulations. These laws provide powerful tools for construction workers to recover full compensation for spinal cord injuries.
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR § 214. However, if your claim involves a government entity such as the City of New York, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days. You must also file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Given these strict deadlines and the time needed to investigate your case and gather evidence, contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights.
The value of your case depends on multiple factors. These include the severity of your injury, the level of paralysis, your age and life expectancy, medical expenses incurred and anticipated, lost income and earning capacity, the impact on your quality of life, and the strength of evidence proving liability. Spinal cord injury cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. This reflects the catastrophic nature of these injuries and the lifetime of care required. An experienced attorney can evaluate your specific circumstances and provide a realistic assessment of your case’s value.
Case timelines vary significantly based on the complexity of liability issues, the severity of injuries, whether your condition has stabilized, the number of parties involved, and the willingness of insurance companies to negotiate fairly. Some cases settle within months through negotiation. Others may take several years, especially if they proceed to trial. Your attorney will work efficiently while pursuing maximum compensation. We won’t rush to accept an inadequate settlement that fails to account for your lifetime needs.
Parker Waichman LLP handles spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees. We advance all case expenses, including professional witness fees, court costs, and investigation expenses. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. This arrangement allows catastrophic injury victims to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you’re unsure of the injury’s severity. Spinal cord injuries require emergency treatment to minimize permanent damage. Follow all medical advice and attend all appointments. Gaps in treatment can harm your case. Document everything, including the accident scene if possible, your injuries through photographs, and how your injuries affect your daily life. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney. These statements can be used against you. Contact a Brooklyn spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your case.
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 30% at fault for the accident and your total damages equal $3 million, you can still recover $2.1 million (70% of the total). An experienced attorney can work to minimize your assigned percentage of fault and maximize your recovery.
Proving negligence requires demonstrating that the defendant owed you a duty of care. We must show they breached that duty through careless or reckless conduct. Furthermore, we must establish that they directly caused your spinal cord injury, resulting in damage. This involves gathering comprehensive evidenc,e including accident reports, medical records documenting your injuries, witness statements, and surveillance footage when available. It also requires professional testimony.
Our attorneys work with medical professionals who can explain how the accident caused your spinal cord injury. We collaborate with accident reconstruction professionals who can demonstrate how the incident occurred and who bears fault. We also work with other qualified individuals who can establish the full extent of your damages. We build compelling cases that hold negligent parties accountable.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Brooklyn due to someone else’s negligence, time is critical. New York’s statute of limitations gives you only three years to file a lawsuit. Evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong case for maximum compensation.
At Parker Waichman LLP, our Brooklyn spinal cord injury lawyers have the experience, resources, and commitment to handle even the most complex catastrophic injury cases. With over $2 billion recovered for injury victims and more than 20 years of experience, we understand what it takes to achieve successful outcomes for our clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Our Brooklyn office is conveniently located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. We also have offices throughout New York, New Jersey, and Florida to serve clients wherever they are located.
Don’t face the insurance companies alone: hire a Brooklyn spinal cord injury attorney. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today at 800-968-7529 or visit www.yourlawyer.com to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Let our experienced legal team fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, replace your lost income, and provide for your future care. You deserve justice, and our firm is here to help you get it.
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If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.
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Zarahi was very professional and very Quick and very knowledgeable i realy appreciated her patience and perseverance she Deserves 100 stars 🌟 but since i can only send 5 i Guess i will just have to send that truly yours Rashine Downs
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I’m a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.
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Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
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Brooklyn, NY 11201
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