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SPINAL CORD INJURY LAWYER IN PHILADELPHIA

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This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.

Last Modified: July 1, 2025

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and fibers that runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone and is separated by small bones called vertebrae. It’s one of the most important parts of the body because it relays communication from the brain, helping us perform conscious tasks like walking, running, eating, and talking, as well as unconscious tasks such as breathing or regulating body temperature and blood pressure.

A spinal cord injury occurs whenever the spinal cord, its nerves, or vertebrae are damaged in any way.

When the spine is damaged, its ability to send communications to and from the brain is impaired. As a result, even minor spinal cord injuries can have severe and catastrophic consequences.

Some common spinal cord injuries include:

  • Complete spinal cord injury
  • Incomplete spinal cord injury
  • Tetraplegia/quadriplegia (paralysis of the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvis)
  • Paraplegia (paralysis of the trunk, legs, and pelvis)

The severity of a spinal cord injury typically depends on the location of the injury. That’s because everything below the level of the injury is affected. The higher up on the spine the damage, the more catastrophic.

What Causes Most Spinal Cord Injuries in Philadelphia??

An injury to the spine can occur whenever the body is subjected to sudden and extreme force. Often, serious accidents leave victims struggling with debilitating spinal cord injuries.

The leading causes of spine injuries include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Falls
  • Violence
  • Sports injuries

At Cordisco & Saile LLC we represent spine injury victims who were involved in:

If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury because someone else was negligent, or can be held strictly liable for your trauma, contact our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys. We will review your case, identify all potential options for financial recovery, and put a plan into action to get the money you deserve.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me Seek Compensation in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?

A spinal cord injury can cause minor disruptions to your life or change it forever. Regardless, whoever is responsible for causing your spine injury must be held accountable. However, this isn’t the time for you to take on a challenging and contested fight for damages. Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers can help while you rest and recover.

We have the resources to match the most powerful adversaries and the experience to get the results you need and deserve.

While you concentrate on your spine injury recovery, our law firm will:

  • Gather evidence and information that can help to you build a foundation for your spine injury case
  • Investigate the accident that caused your injury to determine why it happened, how it could have been avoided, and who’s at fault
  • Seek compensation from all liable parties, which might include motorists, property owners, employers, or even a workers’ compensation insurance carrier if you were hurt on the job
  • Handle negotiations with other parties on your behalf
  • Prepare your case for trial in the event that you are not extended a meaningful settlement offer

We are here to provide all of the support, guidance, and assistance you need during this incredibly trying time. Let us take on the burden of your spine injury lawsuit.

Cordisco & Saile team

What Damages Can Be Awarded to Spine Injury Victims in Philadelphia?

If you’ve suffered a spine injury in a Philadelphia accident, you can file a claim to recover compensation for your financial losses as well as the pain and suffering you have experienced. These are known as economic damages and non-economic damages, respectively.

Our Philadelphia spine injury lawyers will aggressively pursue compensatory damages for:

  • Medical bills, present and future
  • Rehabilitation
  • Therapy services
  • In-home nursing assistance
  • Cost of a nursing facility
  • Lost wages and income
  • Lost benefits
  • Lost job opportunities
  • Disability
  • Modifications to your home or vehicle necessary to accommodate a disability
  • Emotional distress
  • Limited mobility
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Loss of consortium

In a very limited number of cases, punitive damages might also be appropriate. However, a jury would have to find clear and convincing evidence that the defendant hurt you intentionally or displayed a conscious disregard for your health and safety.

What Damages Can Be Awarded to Spine Injury Victims in Philadelphia?

Just like no two accidents are the same, no two spinal cord injury cases are alike. Ultimately, the amount of money you might be able to get when you file a spinal cord injury claim will depend on a multitude of factors.

  • Which part of your spine is damaged?
  • Is your spinal cord injury complete or incomplete?
  • Do your doctors think that you will make a full physical recovery?
  • Will your spinal cord injury impair your ability to work?
  • Did you get hurt while working in Philadelphia?
  • Do you share any responsibility for the accident that caused your spine injury?
  • How old are you and what is your earning capacity?
  • How has the trauma of the accident that caused your spine injury affected you?

According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury can be quite high. Even more moderate spinal cord injuries can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. More severe spinal cord damage can cost millions.

At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our spinal cord injury attorneys have helped clients like you recover substantial monetary awards, including:

It’s important to work with an attorney who understands the gravity of your situation and the importance of a complete financial recovery. Put our respected and experienced personal injury lawyers in your corner.

Receiving settlement check

Understanding Liability in a Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Case

Everyone who contributes to a spine victim’s injuries can share responsibility for resulting costs and damages. This is true even if someone was not directly involved in the specific mechanism that caused the spine damage.

Liability will depend on what type of accident caused you to get hurt, but could include:

  • Motorists
  • Vehicle passengers
  • Employers
  • Property owners
  • Businesses
  • Hospitals and medical facilities
  • Nursing homes and assisted care facilities
  • Product manufacturers
  • Government agencies
  • Criminal assailants

Our legal team will work hard to identify anyone who directly or indirectly contributed to the accident that led to your spine injury.

What Happens if I’m Partly to Blame for My Spine Injury?​

Pennsylvania has modified comparative fault rules, so sharing the blame for your spinal cord injury won’t be an automatic bar to recovery. However, once liability equals or exceeds 51 percent, you lose the right to compensation.

When you’re assigned fault, your damages are adjusted. The greater your role in the accident, the less money you’ll be able to receive when you file a lawsuit.

For example, let’s say you’re in a car accident and sustain a spine injury. Your case is valued at $1 million, but you’re assigned 20 percent fault. Your financial award won’t exceed $800,000 when shared responsibility is factored into the equation.

x ray of spine

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After I’ve Suffered a Spinal Injury in Philadelphia?​

Pennsylvania gives spine injury victims up to two years to file a claim for damages. The statute of limitations typically begins to run on the date of the accident.

There are times when the deadline to file a spine injury claim might be different. Children will have additional time to pursue damages. On the other hand, you’ll have less time to take action if you want to recover damages from a negligent government agency.

You lose the right to receive a monetary award if you don’t file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Don’t let that happen. Contact our experienced spine injury attorneys in Philadelphia to get started on your case as soon as possible after you get hurt.

Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Ready to Help You Seek Maximum Compensation

Have you recently sustained an injury to your spinal column in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Whether you’ve become paralyzed or are experiencing other health issues, you could be entitled to a financial award. Our experienced Philadelphia spinal cord injury lawyers are here to help you get all of the money you deserve.

Give our Philadelphia legal team a call or connect with us online to schedule your free consultation.

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Michael L. Saile, Jr.
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Real Stories. Real Results.

Smith N.

“I was in a serious accident in 2021. My injuries were new however they mimicked some of the injuries I received in a 2017 accident. After treating with 2 doctors, both who stated my injuries were permanent, I was recommended to Cordisco & Saile. My attorney, Steven DeBonis, was wonderful. He listened and guided me through the process. He worked endlessly to ensure I received a proper settlement. I am so grateful for his effort and kindness. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needed someone to fight for them. The staff was friendly, informative and helpful. They are the best legal team around. Thank you for all you have done.”

Nicole B.

I had a slip and fall on Saturday, December 21, 2024. I waited a few days before calling Barbara’s firm and when I decided to reach out, I left a message late at night on the 23rd. First thing Christmas Eve day, Barbara calls me to let me know. She received the message and wanted to chat about my fall. She was extremely professional, detailed the process, and what they would look for in terms of backup documentation, but also instilled a sense of safety and security because she was kind, compassionate and empathetic. She gave the distinct impression that my case would be well researched thoroughly but also be done ethically without having me jump through a whole lot of extra hoops. Five stars, would highly recommend.”

Ellyn S.

“I had a car accident in January 2019. I called Cordisco and Saile. Michael Saile Jr. worked with me along with his associate Steve, and para legal Michele. They treated me with kindness and respect. I had injuries to my neck and spine. I went through months of physical therapy. The person who t- boned my car had no license, registration or insurance, therefore Mr. Saile had to put together a lawsuit against my own insurance company. I had limited tort insurance but Mr. Saile and his people fought to get me the most money that I was entitled to from my insurance company. It took four years due to the pandemic but they kept at it until they reached the maximum. I cannot thank them enough. Everyone in their office worked very hard for me. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who has had an accident, or any legal work.”

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