Boston Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Talk to our Massachusetts attorneys when you suffer an injury to the spinal cord
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A spinal cord injury (SCI) can change your life in a single moment. One second, you’re going about your day, driving to work, walking through a crosswalk, or riding your bike, and the next, everything is different. Your body doesn’t move the way it used to. You may be in pain. You may be unable to work or care for yourself like you once did. And you may be facing a long road of surgeries, rehab, and tough decisions about the future.
If you or your loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, we want you to know that you don’t have to go through this alone. At Santoro & Gray, we are here to help. We’re a boutique personal injury law firm known for treating our clients like people, not case numbers. We listen. We care. And when it’s time to take on the insurance companies or head to court, we fight with ferocity for your legal rights.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- Understanding spinal cord injuries
- What are some common causes of spinal cord injuries in Boston?
- What are the long-term costs of a spinal cord injury?
- What is the value of my Boston spinal cord injury claim?
- How can your Boston spinal cord injury lawyers help with my case?
- Why choose Santoro & Gray for my Boston spinal cord injury claim?
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a spinal cord injury in Massachusetts?
- Do you have a Boston spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Understanding spinal cord injuries
The spinal cord is your body’s information superhighway. It carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body. When that cord is damaged, the results can be catastrophic. You might lose the ability to move, feel, or control certain parts of your body. The higher up the injury on the spine, the more serious the effects.
Types of spinal cord injuries include the following:
- Complete injuries: No sensation or movement below the injury site.
- Incomplete injuries: Some function remains, even if it’s limited or unpredictable.
- Paraplegia: Paralysis that affects the legs and lower body.
- Quadriplegia (or tetraplegia): Paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso.
Even if you’re not paralyzed, spinal trauma can lead to:
- Chronic pain
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Muscle spasms
- Reduced strength or coordination
- Breathing difficulties
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, followed by falls, acts of violence, and sports-related incidents. The NSCISC also notes that “The estimated number of people with tSCI living in the United States is approximately 308,620 persons, with a range from 259,374 to 393,913 persons.” There are also about 18,421 new SCI cases each year.
What are some common causes of spinal cord injuries in Boston?
Boston is a busy, high-traffic city with no shortage of ways for people to get hurt. The spinal cord injuries we handle are often caused by:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are one of the most common sources of spinal trauma. A rear-end collision or rollover can cause the spine to twist or compress suddenly, damaging the vertebrae and nerves.
- People on foot or bikes are incredibly vulnerable, especially when struck by a larger vehicle. Even at slower speeds, the force of impact can cause serious spinal damage.
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or defective stairs often result in spinal fractures or herniated discs. In some cases, we’ve traced these injuries to negligent property owners or third-party contractors.
Additionally, with so many Uber, Lyft, Amazon, and food delivery drivers crowding Boston streets, we’re seeing more spinal injury cases tied to these companies. Whether you were hit while driving, walking, or biking, we understand how to handle the complex insurance and employment issues that can arise.
What are the long-term costs of a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive injuries to treat—and that’s just the beginning. Many people are unable to return to work or require around-the-clock care. According to the NSCISC, the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury can range from $1.2 million to over $5 million, depending on the severity. These costs can include:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgery and hospitalization
- In-patient rehab
- At-home health aides
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, ramps, lifts)
- Medications
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
- Mental health counseling
- Lost income and future earning capacity
We work with life care planners and financial experts to calculate the full impact of your injury, so you don’t get shortchanged in settlement talks or trial.
What is the value of my Boston spinal cord injury claim?
Massachusetts law allows you to seek compensation from the responsible party (or parties) through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to damages for the following:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of mobility or independence
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Home modifications and medical equipment
- Caregiver and long-term care costs
If a loved one tragically passed due to a spinal injury, we can help you handle the wrongful death claim.
How can your Boston spinal cord injury lawyers help with my case?
Spinal cord injury cases are complex. They often involve multiple parties, detailed medical records, expert witnesses, and insurance companies that try to avoid responsibility. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced legal team that knows what to look for and how to fight back. When you hire Santoro & Gray, we immediately get to work by:
- Investigating the accident by collecting police reports, witness statements, security footage, and black box data (if relevant).
- Reviewing your medical records and working with your doctors to understand the full scope of your injuries.
- Consulting expert witnesses, including accident reconstructionists, neurologists, and economists
- Identifying all liable parties for your accident.
- Dealing with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery, not paperwork and pressure tactics.
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That means we’re always ready to negotiate a strong settlement or take your case in front of a jury if that’s what it takes to get justice.
Why choose Santoro & Gray for my Boston spinal cord injury claim?
We know how hard life gets after a spinal cord injury. We’ve seen clients who can’t return to work, can’t pick up their kids, and can’t enjoy the activities they used to love. That’s why we treat every case and every client with the care and focus they deserve. Here’s what sets us apart:
- We listen. We take the time to hear your story, answer your questions, and understand your needs.
- We act fast. Time matters in spinal cord cases, both medically and legally. We don’t wait around.
- We’re strategic. We know how to deal with powerful companies and complicated insurance policies.
- We’re focused. We’re a small firm by design. That means your case won’t get lost in the shuffle.
Finally, we’re fierce. When it’s time to fight for you in court, we bring the experience and tenacity your case deserves.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a spinal cord injury in Massachusetts?
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to get help. Massachusetts law has strict time limits (called the statute of limitations) for filing a claim, usually three years from the date of injury. However, the sooner you call, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building a strong case.
Do you have a Boston spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Santoro & Gray is located at 131 Dartmouth Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 35, Boston, MA 02116. We are near Route 90 in the heart of Back Bay with plenty of parking opportunities.
Talk to an experienced and compassionate Boston spinal cord injury lawyer today
We know that you’ve been through enough already. Let us take on the legal fight while you focus on healing and adjusting to your new reality. At Santoro & Gray, we offer free consultations, and you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. We’re here for you, whether your injury happened in a car crash, at a construction site, in a fall, or because of someone’s reckless behavior. We’re here to be your voice inside the courtroom and your support system outside of it. Call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.