Bay Area Spine Injury Lawyer

Few injuries are as devastating and life-altering as a spinal cord injury. When your spine is damaged, it doesn’t just affect your ability to move; it can upend your independence, career, relationships, and identity. In the blink of an eye, your world changes, and your future becomes uncertain.

At Danko Meredith, we understand the high stakes involved in spinal cord injury cases. Our Bay Area lawyers represent people throughout California who have suffered severe spinal trauma due to negligence, recklessness, or defective products. Primarily based in Redwood Shores, our trial lawyers are known nationwide for standing up to powerful corporations and insurance companies and securing life-changing compensation for our clients. We are here to help you rebuild your life with dignity, strength, and financial security. For a free consultation with proven spinal injury attorneys, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600.

Why You Need an Attorney After a Serious Spine Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injury cases are different from other personal injury claims. The costs are immense, the care is long-term, and the impact on quality of life is profound. If you or your loved one is facing paralysis or severe spine-related disability, you need a legal team that knows how to manage high-value litigation.

At Danko Meredith, we’ve spent decades fighting for clients with catastrophic injuries. We work with medical professionals, rehabilitation experts, and life care planners to understand what it will take for you to move forward, not just today, but for decades to come. We also consult economists and vocational experts to calculate the full value of your future financial losses.

As a Redwood Shores-based firm, we are deeply familiar with courts throughout the Bay Area, local hospitals like Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital, and the rehabilitation centers that support spinal injury survivors. When you work with our lawyers, you work with a team that knows the Bay Area and knows how to win.

Why Accident Victims Trust Danko Meredith: $2.9 Million Jury Verdict

One of our past cases involved a professional pilot who suffered a back injury in a helicopter crash. While flying through rough terrain, the helicopter’s turbine engine seized, causing a crash landing. The facility that last worked on the helicopter’s engine tried to shirk its responsibility for what happened. The facility claimed that our client did not check the engine oil levels before taking off. That facility also claimed that our client did not follow the appropriate emergency procedures for when a helicopter engine stalls.

During the trial, our lawyers proved that the overhaul facility failed to tighten a crucial retaining nut. This loose nut caused the helicopter’s turbine engine to meltdown during flight, much the same way it would have had oil levels actually been low. Our team also proved that our client followed emergency procedures perfectly, and in doing so, he saved his own life in the helicopter crash.

The jury agreed that the engine overhauler was fully responsible for the helicopter crash and the back injury, awarding our client $2.9 million.

Our Law Firm Stands Up to the Powerful on Your Behalf

Danko Meredith was founded with one mission: to fight for people harmed by powerful corporations and negligent entities. Our Bay Area law firm has a reputation for securing major verdicts and settlements in cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, utility negligence, and aviation disasters.

Our lawyers have gone head-to-head with major insurance carriers, airline companies, and global manufacturers, and won. With over 120 years of combined experience and a success rate exceeding 99%, Danko Meredith is the firm other attorneys call when their clients need a heavyweight in their corner.

You Have a Limited Time to File a Lawsuit for a Spinal Injury

California law gives youtwo years from the date of the spinal injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, such as delayed diagnoses or injuries to minors, the deadline may be extended.

However, waiting too long can weaken your case. Evidence may be lost. Witnesses may become unavailable. Medical records may be harder to obtain. The sooner you speak to a lawyer here at Danko Meredith, the better your chances of preserving your right to full compensation. To request a free consultation about your spinal injury, contact our Redwood Shores law firm today.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is the body’s central communication line, sending messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to this delicate structure can disrupt sensation, mobility, and even vital functions like breathing and bladder control.

Spinal cord injuries fall into two main categories:

• Complete injuries involve total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site. These are often permanent.
• Incomplete injuries mean some function remains, either movement, sensation, or both. Recovery may be possible with rehabilitation, but results vary.

The location of the injury on the spine determines the extent of impairment. Injuries higher on the spine (cervical region) are typically more severe than those lower down (thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions).

Paraplegia vs. Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: The Scope of Paralysis

Paraplegia results from damage to the thoracic or lumbar spine, causing loss of function in the legs and lower body. People with paraplegia may use a wheelchair, experience chronic pain or spasms, and often need assistance with mobility and bladder/bowel care.

Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, involves damage to the cervical spine, leading to partial or complete paralysis of all four limbs and the torso. This condition can also affect respiratory function, requiring the use of ventilators or feeding tubes in severe cases.

Both forms of paralysis come with immense physical and emotional challenges, including:

• Loss of independence and need for 24/7 care
• Risk of bedsores, infections, and secondary conditions
• Financial strain from lost income and medical costs
• Social isolation, depression, and anxiety
• Architectural modifications to homes and vehicles
• Long-term need for assistive technology and medical equipment

At Danko Meredith, we ensure that all these factors are accounted for in your claim. Our Bay Area spine injury attorneys fight for full compensation, not just for what you’ve lost, but for what you still deserve.

Living With a Spinal Cord Injury: The Long-Term Reality

Spinal injuries don’t just disrupt the body; they transform every aspect of life. From the simplest daily routines to difficult emotional and financial decisions, everything changes after a spinal cord injury.

Changes to Daily Life

Victims often face years of rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and constant adaptation. Many require wheelchairs, custom beds, home health aides, and vehicles outfitted for accessibility. Family members become caregivers. Careers are paused or ended. Relationships are tested.

Changes in Mental Health

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among spinal injury survivors, particularly those adjusting to paralysis or chronic pain. These emotional struggles are just as real and just as valid as the physical injuries.

But spinal cord injury survivors are also some of the most resilient people we know. With the proper care, tools, and support, many go on to lead fulfilling lives. Our job is to make sure the resources are there to support that journey.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can occur in seconds, but their effects last a lifetime. These injuries are often the result of traumatic events that disrupt, compress, or sever the spinal cord. Some of the most common causes of spinal trauma include:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and collisions with tractor-trailers remain a leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. Along the Peninsula, traffic congestion on 101 and 280, as well as busy surface roads like El Camino Real and Woodside Road, increases the risk of high-impact crashes. Rollover collisions, rear-end accidents, and ejections from vehicles frequently result in severe spinal damage, especially when seat belts fail or protective gear is absent. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, as they have little to no protection from the force of impact, even at low speeds.

Our attorneys have taken on numerous spine injury claims stemming from negligent drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and poorly maintained roadways. We work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible.

Falls From Height

Falls are another major contributor to spinal injuries, especially in the workplace. Construction workers, warehouse employees, utility linemen, and maintenance crews often perform their jobs at elevated heights or on unstable surfaces. A fall from a ladder, scaffold, rooftop, or poorly secured platform can cause vertebral fractures, herniated discs, or complete spinal cord trauma.

These incidents are not always “accidents”; they often result from OSHA violations, inadequate safety training, defective equipment, or lack of fall protection. Whether your injury occurred on a job site or a commercial property, we can investigate whether a third party (such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer) shares liability beyond the workers’ compensation system.

Sports and Recreational Injuries

Participation in contact sports and recreational activities comes with risk, but that risk is often increased when safety rules are ignored. Spinal injuries can occur in contact sports like football, rugby, and wrestling, yet these kinds of injuries can also occur in non-contact sports like gymnastics or snowboarding, in which hard landings can cause serious trauma to the neck, back, and spine. Diving into shallow pools or natural water sources can also cause devastating cervical spine injuries, sometimes leading to instant quadriplegia.

In recreational environments, spinal injuries may also result from faulty equipment, unsafe premises, or a lack of trained supervision. When a school, athletic league, or facility operator fails to prioritize safety, they can and should be held accountable.

Aviation Accidents

Aviation-related accidents, including helicopter crashes, small plane accidents, and hard landings, can cause catastrophic damage to the spine. Survivors of aviation accidents often experience compression fractures, spinal cord trauma from rapid deceleration, and long-term nerve damage. At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area attorneys understand the technical challenges of aviation crashes and have the resources to investigate aircraft failure, pilot error, air traffic control mistakes, and more.

Acts of Violence

Intentional acts, including gunshots, stabbings, and physical assaults, sometimes cause spinal injuries. A single bullet or blow can shatter vertebrae, sever nerves, or permanently impair mobility. Victims of violent crime may face steep medical expenses, extended recovery times, and long-term psychological effects, all while grappling with the emotional trauma of the incident itself.

In some cases, a negligent security provider, property owner, or third party may be liable for failing to prevent foreseeable violence. Whether your injury resulted from a domestic dispute, assault at a business, or mass shooting, our team of spine injury lawyers in Redwood Shores will explore all potential avenues for compensation.

Medical Negligence

Though less common, spinal cord injuries can also result from medical malpractice. Surgical errors during back or neck procedures, improper intubation, delayed diagnosis of spinal infections or tumors, and mishandling of patients can all lead to permanent spinal damage. Even routine procedures can go tragically wrong when proper protocols aren’t followed.

At Danko Meredith, we collaborate with medical experts to examine the standard of care in spinal injury cases involving hospitals, physicians, and healthcare providers. When negligence occurs in the operating room or recovery ward, we ensure that the responsible parties are held to account.

How Much Is My Spinal Injury Case Worth?

At Danko Meredith, our spine injury attorneys build comprehensive damage models that account for your needs today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life. Compensation in a spinal cord injury case may include:

Economic Damages

• Emergency medical care, hospital stays, and surgery
• Long-term rehab, therapy, and nursing care
• Home modifications, mobility aids, and assistive technology
• Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
• In-home care and transportation costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional suffering, anxiety, and depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Permanent disability and disfigurement

Punitive Damages

If your injury was caused by extreme recklessness, such as corporate misconduct or utility negligence, you may also be entitled to punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future harm.

What to Expect During the Spine Injury Litigation

Every spinal injury case begins with a free consultation. Our Bay Area spinal injury lawyers will listen to your story, assess the facts, and explain your legal options. If we take your case, we will get to work immediately.

We’ll begin by gathering evidence, accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert analysis. We consult with doctors, rehabilitation experts, and financial professionals to build a complete picture of your damages. In one previous case involving an underground electrical explosion, we launched a detailed investigation and secured a $20 million settlement from a utility company in just over two months.

You can count on our spinal injury lawyers to manage all negotiations with insurance companies and defense counsel. If a fair settlement offer is made, we’ll advise you honestly. If not, we’ll be ready to take your case to trial. Danko Meredith is known for its courtroom strength, and insurers know it. Throughout the process, we keep you informed, empowered, and supported.

Other Types of Serious Neck, Spine, and Back Injuries

While spinal cord injuries that cause paralysis are among the most severe, other types of spine and back injuries can also lead to life-changing complications.

Herniated and Bulging Discs

Often caused by car crashes or falls, these injuries can press on spinal nerves and result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for surgery.

Spinal Nerve Damage

Damage to the nerve roots can cause numbness, weakness, or radiating pain in the arms and legs, significantly impairing daily activities and work.

Vertebral Fractures

Broken vertebrae can result from high-impact accidents or compression injuries and often require surgical stabilization, months of recovery, and ongoing care.

Serious Neck Injuries

Cervical spine injuries, even without full paralysis, can lead to severe pain, reduced range of motion, and neurological complications. These injuries are often undercompensated without the benefit of skilled legal representation.

Even if your injury hasn’t resulted in paralysis, you may still be entitled to significant compensation. Let our team evaluate your case and help you understand your rights.

Spine Injury Frequently Asked Questions

What if my loved one is paralyzed and can’t speak for themselves?

If your family member is incapacitated due to a spinal injury, a legal guardian or close relative may be able to bring a claim on their behalf. Our spine injury attorneys will help you establish legal standing and take action to protect your loved one’s future.

Will I have to go to court for my spinal injury case?

Not always. Many spinal injury cases are resolved through settlement. But we prepare every case for trial from day one, which often leads to stronger settlement offers. If the other side refuses to pay what’s fair, we’ll fight for you in court.

How long does a spinal cord injury case take?

The timeline depends on the challenges of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve within a year; others may take longer. Our spinal cord attorneys move quickly but carefully, ensuring we capture the full scope of your injury and future needs.

Can I still work after a spinal injury?

It depends on the severity of your injury and the type of work you did before. Some clients return to modified roles; others are unable to work at all. We work with vocational and economic experts to calculate lost wages and reduced earning potential.

Contact Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Redwood Shores, CA

Your injury may have changed your life, but it doesn’t have to define your future. At Danko Meredith, our spine injury lawyers fight for people who’ve been catastrophically harmed by negligence, recklessness, or corporate misconduct.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury or severe back injury in the Bay Area, our lawyers are ready to help. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we win your case. Contact us online or call our Redwood Shores office at (650) 453-3600 to discuss what happened with our team.