Houston Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Suffering a spinal cord injury in an accident on a busy Houston highway like I-10 or the 610 Loop can be a life-altering experience, leaving you and your family facing immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges. These catastrophic injuries often result from someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one has recently suffered a serious spinal cord injury, you are entitled to compensation for your extensive medical bills and other profound losses. Contact a Houston spinal cord injury attorney at The Nguyen Injury Law Firm to discuss your case and your legal options during a free consultation.

Why Choose The Nguyen Injury Law Firm for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

When you’re facing the life-altering consequences of a spinal cord injury in Houston, you need an attorney with the tenacity and dedication to fight for the justice you deserve. At The Nguyen Injury Law Firm, our team of Texas-bred attorneys has a deep understanding of state laws and the unique challenges faced by injured individuals in the Houston community. We are familiar with local courts, judges, and the Harris County legal system. We prepare every case as if it will go to court, ensuring we are ready to fight for you in front of a jury if necessary.

We take the time to listen to your story and develop a tailored legal strategy that best serves your interests. Having worked on both sides of personal injury lawsuits, our team has valuable insights into the tactics used by insurance companies, which we use to anticipate their strategies and build a stronger case for you. Choose The Nguyen Injury Law Firm, and you’ll have trusted advisors and relentless advocates who will stop at nothing to help you secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Houston

Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims in Texas. When an individual or entity fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in an accident that causes harm, they can be held liable for the damages. Common causes of spinal cord injuries in the Houston area include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: High-speed collisions on Houston’s busy highways like I-10, I-45, and the 610 Loop can cause devastating spinal injuries.

• Truck Accidents: As a major transportation hub, Houston sees many commercial truck accidents on highways and near the Port of Houston, often resulting in catastrophic injuries.

• Motorcycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Vulnerable motorcyclists and pedestrians in busy areas like Downtown, the Texas Medical Center, and The Galleria are at high risk for severe spinal trauma when struck by vehicles.

• Slip and Fall Accidents: Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. Falls on slippery surfaces, especially during Houston’s rainy seasons, can cause serious spinal injuries.

• Workplace Injuries: Houston’s energy, construction, and manufacturing industries present high-risk environments where falls from heights and heavy equipment accidents can cause devastating spinal cord damage.

Proving Negligence in a Houston Spinal Cord Injury Case

To prove negligence in a Texas spinal cord injury case, your attorney must demonstrate four key elements, whether your injury occurred in a car accident on the Katy Freeway or a fall at a Midtown restaurant.

1. Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a legal responsibility toward you. For example, drivers must follow traffic laws, and property owners must maintain safe premises.

2. Breach of Duty: The at-fault party violated their responsibility, such as a driver running a red light on Westheimer Road or an employer ignoring OSHA safety regulations.

3. Causation: There is a direct link between the breach of duty and your spinal injury. This often requires expert testimony from medical professionals at the Texas Medical Center or accident reconstruction specialists.

4. Damages: You must document the physical, emotional, and financial losses you’ve suffered, including medical records, lost wages, and evidence of pain and suffering as recognized under Texas law.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?

After an accident, you may be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company with a settlement offer. While it may be tempting to accept, especially when facing mounting medical bills, it is crucial to consult with an experienced lawyer first. Insurance companies are businesses whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. The first settlement offer is often significantly lower than what you may be entitled to under Texas law.

Once you accept a settlement offer in Texas, you forfeit your right to pursue further compensation, even if your condition worsens. A skilled spinal cord injury attorney from The Nguyen Injury Law Firm will thoroughly assess your case, consult with medical experts, and determine the true value of your claim before entering negotiations. We will fight for a settlement that adequately compensates you and ensures your future needs are met.

The Physical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is a life-altering event with far-reaching physical consequences that require specialized care from Houston’s world-renowned medical facilities. These challenges include paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), loss of sensation, respiratory complications that can be exacerbated by Houston’s humid climate, and chronic neuropathic pain.

Many patients also experience bladder and bowel dysfunction and are at risk for secondary health complications, such as heat-related issues and skin problems in the Gulf Coast environment. These extensive physical consequences require ongoing rehabilitation at facilities like TIRR Memorial Hermann and adaptive equipment, which are critical components of a personal injury claim under Texas law.

The Emotional and Psychological Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

The emotional and psychological impact of a spinal cord injury is just as real and deserving of compensation as the physical injuries. Many survivors experience clinical depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially those injured in traumatic accidents on Houston’s highways. Adjusting to life with a disability can profoundly affect one’s sense of self and place enormous stress on family relationships.

Texas law recognizes these non-physical consequences as compensable damages. Our firm works with respected Houston mental health professionals from institutions like the Menninger Clinic to document these impacts thoroughly and ensure they are properly valued in your personal injury claim.

The Financial Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries in Houston

The financial burden of a spinal cord injury can be astronomical. First-year costs for high tetraplegia can exceed $1 million, with annual costs reaching hundreds of thousands thereafter. Beyond direct medical expenses, the financial impact includes:

• Loss of Earning Capacity: Approximately 68% of victims cannot return to their previous employment. Texas law allows compensation based on projected lifetime earnings.

• Home Modifications: Modifying a Houston home for wheelchair accessibility can cost over $85,000.

• Vehicle Adaptations: Specialized vehicles with adaptive equipment can cost 

• Increased Living Expenses: Day-to-day costs increase by approximately 30%, including higher utility bills for climate control in Houston’s extreme heat.

Compensation Available to Houston Spinal Cord Injury Victims

Texas law provides comprehensive compensation rights for spinal cord injury victims. The experienced attorneys at The Nguyen Injury Law Firm will assess all potential sources of compensation to reflect the full impact of your injury. This includes:

• Medical Expenses: All past and future medical costs, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation at facilities like TIRR Memorial Hermann, medication, and adaptive equipment.

• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Wages lost during recovery and compensation for diminished future earning capacity.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering resulting from the profound impact on your quality of life.

• Home and Vehicle Modifications: The costs to make your home and vehicle accessible, such as ramps and hand controls.

• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact of the injury on your relationship with your spouse.

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities.

How a Houston Lawyer Helps With Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

When you choose The Nguyen Injury Law Firm, we conduct a thorough investigation into your accident, gathering evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses. We work with renowned medical experts from Houston’s Texas Medical Center to document the full extent of your injuries and future needs. We then collaborate with economic experts and life care planners to accurately calculate the full value of your claim under Texas law.

Our attorneys handle all communications with insurance companies, leveraging our knowledge of Texas insurance law to counter lowball offers. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial in Harris County courts. Beyond legal representation, we help connect you with Houston’s extensive network of medical providers, rehabilitation specialists, and support groups.

Houston Medical Facilities, Rehabilitation, and Support

Houston is home to world-class medical facilities specializing in spinal cord injuries, including TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist Rehabilitation Center, and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. Documentation from these centers is crucial for your case.

Beyond medical care, numerous organizations provide invaluable support. The United Spinal Association – Houston Chapter offers peer mentoring, the Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association assists veterans, and the Houston Center for Independent Living helps with skills training and housing. Our firm maintains relationships with these organizations and can connect you to the resources you need to support your recovery.

Serving Communities Across the Greater Houston Area

The Nguyen Injury Law Firm proudly serves spinal cord injury victims throughout the Greater Houston area, from Downtown Houston, The Heights, and River Oaks to surrounding communities like Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands. Our attorneys are familiar with the unique aspects of each community, including major highways like I-10 and I-45, busy intersections, industrial areas like the Houston Ship Channel, and local construction zones where accidents frequently occur. No matter where your injury happened, we have the local knowledge to help you pursue maximum compensation.