Spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating injuries because they change everything --- how you move, how you work, how you live, even how you view yourself.
You or someone you love may be facing a future that looks nothing like the one you planned. The medical bills are stacking up. Questions about long-term care, home modifications, and whether you'll ever work again are keeping you awake at night.
You need answers. You need to know that someone is going to fight for the resources you'll need for years to come.
The Long Island spinal cord injury lawyers at Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP have spent decades representing people with catastrophic injuries across Nassau and Suffolk counties. We know what these cases require: medical experts who can project lifetime care costs, aggressive negotiations with insurance companies, and a willingness to take cases to trial when fair settlements aren't offered.
If someone else's negligence caused your injury, we're ready to help you pursue the compensation you need.
Speak to a Lawyer Today >Why Do I Need a Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
Spinal cord injury cases involve lifetime costs that can reach into the millions of dollars. You need an attorney who can calculate these future expenses, fight for their full value, and protect you from insurance companies looking to settle quickly and cheaply.
The financial stakes in spinal cord injury cases are unlike any other personal injury claim. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime costs for someone with high tetraplegia (paralysis affecting all four limbs) can exceed $5.5 million.
Even paraplegia, which affects the legs and lower body, can cost nearly $3 million over a lifetime. These figures cover only direct medical expenses and living costs. They don't include lost wages, which average over $95,000 per year.
Insurance companies know these numbers. Their goal is to settle your claim before you understand what your claim is worth. Research from Martindale-Nolo shows that people who hire attorneys for personal injury claims receive compensation that is three times higher than those who handled their own claim, even after paying attorney fees.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, our spinal cord injury attorneys coordinate with medical and financial experts, gather your medical records, negotiate with the insurance companies, and prepare cases for trial if they refuse to pay you what your case is worth.
What Are the Top Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries on Long Island?
Spinal cord damage can result from any incident that involves sudden, traumatic force to the spine. Our Long Island catastrophic injury lawyers have represented clients hurt in a wide range of accidents.
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Car accidents remain the leading cause of spinal cord injuries nationwide, accounting for nearly 39% of cases according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
High-speed collisions on the Long Island Expressway, Southern State Parkway, and Northern State Parkway frequently cause cervical spine fractures and spinal cord trauma. Motorcycle accidents and pedestrian collisions also result in devastating spinal injuries.
Falls
Falls cause approximately 31% of spinal cord injuries. On Long Island, these include construction site falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs, as well as slip and fall accidents in stores, parking lots, and apartment buildings. Older adults face a particular risk for spinal cord damage from falls.
Workplace Accidents
Construction workers across Nassau and Suffolk counties face daily risks of spinal cord injury from falls, falling objects, and equipment accidents. New York Labor Law provides strong protections for injured workers, including Section 240 (the Scaffold Law), which holds property owners and general contractors liable for gravity-related accidents.
Acts of Violence
Gunshot wounds and assaults account for approximately 13% of spinal cord injuries. Victims of violent crimes have the right to pursue civil claims against responsible parties, which may include negligent property owners who failed to provide adequate security.
Regardless of how your injury occurred, our attorneys investigate every detail to identify all potentially liable parties and build the strongest possible case for compensation.
What Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Do You Handle?
Our Long Island paralysis injury lawyers represent clients with all types and severities of spinal cord damage.
Complete vs. Incomplete Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury means no sensory or motor function remains below the injury site. An incomplete injury means some function or sensation is preserved. Incomplete injuries sometimes allow for partial recovery, though outcomes vary significantly.
Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
Paraplegia affects the legs and lower body, resulting from injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine. Quadriplegia (tetraplegia) affects all four limbs and typically results from cervical spine injuries. Quadriplegia cases require the most extensive lifetime care and generate the highest damage awards.
Herniated Discs and Spinal Fractures
While not all spinal injuries result in paralysis, severe disc herniations and vertebral fractures can cause chronic pain, nerve damage, and permanent limitations that significantly impact your ability to work and enjoy life.
Every spinal cord injury case is unique. Our Long Island personal injury attorneys work with medical specialists to understand your specific diagnosis, prognosis, and future care needs.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Spinal Cord Injury in New York?
Spinal cord injury cases typically involve damages far exceeding those in other personal injury claims. Your Long Island spinal cord injury attorney will calculate both current and future losses.
Economic Damages
These cover your measurable financial losses:
- Emergency hospitalization and surgical costs
- Ongoing medical care and specialist visits
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, and breathing apparatus
- Home modifications, including ramps, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms
- Modified vehicles for wheelchair access
- In-home nursing care or personal care attendants
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
Non-Economic Damages
These address the impact on your life beyond dollar figures:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and depression
- Loss of independence and autonomy
- Loss of enjoyment of activities you loved
- Changes to family relationships
- Loss of consortium for your spouse
To file a lawsuit for non-economic damages resulting from a car accident in New York, your injury must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102. Spinal cord injuries resulting in permanent loss of use or significant limitation of a body function qualify under this standard.
Calculating lifetime damages in spinal cord injury cases requires medical experts, life care planners, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and economists. Our attorneys work with these professionals to project your needs over the decades ahead.
Why Long Island Trusts Rosenberg & Gluck for Catastrophic Injury Cases
When a spinal cord injury transforms your life, choosing the right legal team matters more than ever. Here's what our clients find when they work with us.
Millions Recovered for Seriously Injured Clients
Our track record includes a $2.4 million verdict for a man who suffered a back injury in a car accident and another seven-figure confidential verdict for a construction worker who sustained severe injuries on the job.
We've secured significant compensation in cases involving paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic injuries. While past results don't guarantee future outcomes, they demonstrate our dedication to resolving high-stakes cases for our clients.
Trial-Ready When Insurance Companies Won't Pay Fair Value
Most spinal cord injury cases settle before trial. But insurance companies know which lawyers will go to court and which operate settlement mills. Our attorneys have tried cases in courthouses throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties and secured verdicts when insurers refused to offer fair settlements. That willingness to fight changes how the other side negotiates from the start.
Local Knowledge That Matters
We know the judges in Nassau County and Suffolk County courts. We know which hospitals and rehabilitation centers provide the best documentation for injury claims. We know the roads where serious accidents happen and the construction sites where workers get hurt. This familiarity shapes how we build and present cases.
Referred by Those Who Know Us Best
Former clients, judges, and even insurance adjusters and defense attorneys refer their injured friends and relatives to our firm. That kind of referral doesn't come from advertising. It comes from returning phone calls, giving honest answers, and fighting hard enough that even the other side notices.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
We handle spinal cord injury cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. This arrangement lets you access experienced legal representation when you need it most.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims in New York?
You generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York.
However, several exceptions can shorten or extend this deadline:
- Claims against municipalities: If a government entity is responsible (such as a city vehicle or poorly maintained public property), you may have only 90 days to file a notice of claim.
- Wrongful death claims: If a loved one died from a spinal cord injury, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death unless a shorter municipal time frame applies
- Minors: Children generally have until their 21st birthday to file suit, with some exceptions, such as medical malpractice cases.
- Medical malpractice: If your spinal cord injury resulted from surgical error or medical negligence, different deadlines may apply.
Beginning your case promptly protects your rights and preserves critical evidence. Witnesses' memories fade. Medical records get harder to obtain. Traffic camera footage gets deleted. Contact our team of spinal cord injury lawyers in Long Island as soon as possible to protect your claim.
FAQs Clients Ask Our Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
How much is a spinal cord injury case worth in New York?
Case values depend on injury severity, age at injury, impact on earning capacity, and other factors. Quadriplegia cases often settle or result in verdicts in the millions of dollars due to extensive lifetime care needs. Paraplegia cases also generate substantial compensation. Our attorneys work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full value of your claim.
Will a spinal cord injury lawyer take my case on contingency?
Yes. We represent spinal cord injury clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures you can access legal representation regardless of your current financial situation.
Can I sue for a spinal cord injury from a construction accident?
Absolutely. New York Labor Law provides strong protections for construction workers. Section 240 (the Scaffold Law) holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries, even if the worker was partially at fault. Section 241 requires property owners to provide safe working conditions. These claims exist in addition to workers' compensation benefits.
What if I can't travel to meet with a lawyer?
We offer home and hospital visits for clients who cannot travel due to their injuries. We also conduct consultations by phone and video. Your injury should never prevent you from accessing legal help.
How long do spinal cord injury cases take to resolve?
These cases typically take longer than other personal injury claims because full damages cannot be calculated until your medical condition stabilizes. This may take a year or more. Rushing to settle before understanding your long-term prognosis often results in inadequate compensation. We prepare every case for trial while pursuing fair settlement negotiations.
Your Future After a Spinal Cord Injury on Long Island
The weeks and months after a spinal cord injury are disorienting. You're learning to adapt to physical limitations you never imagined. You're worried about money, about your family, about what comes next.
You didn't cause this injury. Someone else's carelessness or recklessness did. And you have the right to hold them accountable.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, our Long Island spinal cord injury attorneys take on the legal fight so you can focus on rehabilitation and your family. We've helped thousands of injured New Yorkers across Nassau and Suffolk counties, and we're ready to put our resources to work for you.
Contact us online or call (631) 451-7900 for a free consultation. We assist clients in English and Spanish. Home and hospital visits available.
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