Few injuries are as life-altering as damage to the spinal cord. Because the spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body, even partial injuries can result in profound changes to movement, sensation, and bodily function. For victims and their families, the impact is not limited to the physical injury. Spinal cord trauma often means permanent loss of independence, overwhelming medical costs, and emotional strain that affects every member of the household.
In Colorado Springs, spinal cord injuries occur every year in car accidents, workplace incidents, falls, recreational activities, and other preventable events. Many of these accidents stem from negligence, meaning they could have been avoided if proper care had been taken. When negligence is to blame, victims deserve justice and they need an attorney who understands both the medical complexities and the legal strategies required to pursue maximum compensation.
At Pribila and Fields, we bring more than four decades of combined experience to catastrophic injury cases, including spinal cord trauma. Our attorneys know that these injuries demand more than short-term settlements; they require financial resources that will sustain a lifetime of care. From investigating the cause of the injury to documenting future medical needs, we fight to ensure our clients in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas receive the compensation necessary to rebuild their lives.
The spinal cord is one of the body’s most vital structures. Running from the brainstem through the spine, it functions as the communication network for movement, sensation, and many involuntary processes such as breathing and circulation. When the spinal cord is damaged, the results can be catastrophic.
Spinal cord injuries are typically classified into two main categories:
The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on both the extent of damage and the location of the injury:
Beyond physical limitations, victims in Colorado Springs frequently face challenges such as:
Even less severe spinal cord injuries require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. For many, recovery involves not only emergency medical care but also months or even years of therapy and support. At Pribila and Fields, we understand that no two injuries are alike, which is why we work closely with medical experts and life-care planners to ensure each legal claim reflects the full reality of a client’s condition and future needs.
Spinal cord injuries are almost always the result of sudden, traumatic events. Sadly, many of these incidents occur because of another person’s negligence. When someone fails to act with proper care, the consequences can leave victims and families facing a lifetime of medical and financial challenges.
In Colorado Springs, some of the most frequent causes of spinal cord injuries include:
Identifying the precise cause of a spinal cord injury is essential for building a strong legal case. At Pribila and Fields, our attorneys conduct thorough investigations into accident scenes, vehicle data, safety records, and witness testimony. By holding the at-fault party accountable, we help victims pursue compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support.
No two spinal cord injuries are exactly alike. The effects depend not only on whether the injury is complete or incomplete but also on where along the spine the damage occurs. Understanding the types and levels of these injuries is crucial for determining both medical treatment and the scope of a legal claim.
The spinal cord is divided into four main regions:
Each level of injury carries its own long-term consequences. For example:
For victims in Colorado Springs, understanding these distinctions is vital, not just for medical treatment but also for pursuing fair compensation. A settlement or verdict must reflect the specific challenges of each injury, from mobility limitations to the cost of lifelong care.
At Pribila and Fields, we work with neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and life-care planners to evaluate the full impact of spinal cord injuries. This ensures that every claim we bring forward addresses both immediate needs and the long-term realities of living with paralysis or reduced mobility.
The impact of a spinal cord injury extends far beyond the initial hospital stay. For many victims, the consequences last a lifetime, reshaping how they move, work, and interact with the world around them. These injuries are considered catastrophic not only because of the physical damage but also because of the profound ripple effects they create for families and communities in Colorado Springs.
Some of the most significant long-term effects include:
The challenges of spinal cord injuries are compounded by their permanence. Unlike broken bones or soft tissue injuries, spinal cord damage cannot be fully healed with time. Instead, victims must adapt to a new way of life. For some, this may involve relearning everyday activities with the help of adaptive tools. For others, it means a lifetime of reliance on caregivers and medical professionals.
At Pribila and Fields, we believe every one of these consequences must be reflected in a legal claim. Too often, insurance companies attempt to focus only on immediate medical expenses while ignoring the lifelong realities of paralysis, chronic pain, and emotional trauma. Our attorneys fight to ensure victims in Colorado Springs and their families are not left shouldering these burdens alone.
For spinal cord injury victims, treatment rarely ends after emergency surgery or hospital discharge. Rehabilitation and ongoing care are lifelong necessities, designed to restore as much independence as possible and prevent further medical complications. In Colorado Springs, access to specialized care can make a tremendous difference in quality of life.
Rehabilitation and care may include:
The cost of this care is staggering. Studies show that the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury can exceed several million dollars, particularly for younger victims who require decades of treatment and support. For many families in Colorado Springs, these expenses are impossible to bear without legal assistance.
This is why pursuing full compensation is so critical. A spinal cord injury claim should not only account for today’s bills but also anticipate decades of medical needs, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment. At Pribila and Fields, we partner with life-care planners and medical experts to build claims that reflect the real cost of living with a spinal cord injury. By presenting a complete picture of future needs, we work to secure settlements and verdicts that truly support long-term recovery.
Pursuing a spinal cord injury claim is rarely simple. These cases involve not only significant medical documentation but also complex questions about liability, damages, and long-term financial needs. For victims in Colorado Springs, building a strong case requires careful preparation and skilled legal advocacy.
Compensation in spinal cord injury cases typically includes two main categories:
The process of recovering compensation depends heavily on how the injury occurred:
One of the most important aspects of these cases is identifying all liable parties. If a lawsuit names only one defendant, that party may try to deflect responsibility onto others. By holding every responsible party accountable, victims increase their chances of securing full and fair compensation.
At Pribila and Fields, we take a proactive approach. Our attorneys gather medical records, consult with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists, and use life-care planners to calculate the full financial impact of spinal cord injuries. This ensures that claims account not just for today’s bills but also for the decades of care that lie ahead.
Spinal cord injury victims often face overwhelming challenges, both physically and financially. Insurance companies, however, rarely acknowledge the full scope of these challenges. They may offer settlements that cover only short-term expenses, ignoring the lifelong impact of paralysis, chronic pain, and emotional trauma.
Working with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney ensures your rights are protected. At Pribila and Fields, our legal team assists clients by:
For families in Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, and surrounding areas, having a trusted legal advocate makes a difference. By handling the complexities of the legal process, we allow clients to focus on what matters most: recovery, rehabilitation, and family.
At Pribila and Fields, we view every case as more than just a legal file. We see the people behind the injuries - their goals, struggles, and hopes for the future. Our mission is to fight tirelessly for compensation that provides stability, dignity, and the opportunity for a better quality of life.
At Pribila and Fields, we are proud to serve spinal cord injury victims throughout Colorado Springs and across southern Colorado. While many of our clients live in the heart of El Paso County, we know serious accidents can happen anywhere, and our firm is committed to providing accessible representation to nearby communities as well.
We regularly work with clients from Monument, Fountain, Woodland Park, Manitou Springs, Palmer Lake, Cripple Creek, and Fort Carson, as well as families connected to the U.S. Air Force Academy. We also serve the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) community, where students and faculty may face unique risks related to campus life, sports, or traffic accidents.
No matter where you live, accessibility matters. We recognize that traveling after a spinal cord injury can be difficult, so our attorneys provide flexible meeting options and are willing to travel to clients when needed. Our mission is to ensure that every victim in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas has access to the skilled, compassionate legal representation they deserve.
Selecting the right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of a spinal cord injury claim. At Pribila and Fields, we have built our reputation on decades of experience, proven results, and an unwavering commitment to clients throughout Colorado Springs.
Clients choose us because of:
We understand the financial, physical, and emotional toll spinal cord injuries create. Our attorneys are dedicated to building strong claims that reflect the full scope of our clients’ needs, from immediate medical care to lifetime support.
When you work with Pribila and Fields, you gain more than a law firm; you gain a team committed to standing by you and your family through every stage of recovery.
While spinal cord injury cases are a core focus of our practice, Pribila and Fields also represents clients across a wide range of serious and catastrophic injury matters in Colorado Springs. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex claims, and we are committed to pursuing justice no matter the type of injury.
Our additional practice areas include:
By offering comprehensive personal injury representation, our firm ensures that clients throughout Colorado Springs and nearby communities can rely on us for skilled advocacy in their time of need.
A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant, but you do not have to face the challenges alone. The attorneys at Pribila and Fields are here to provide guidance, compassion, and aggressive representation for victims and families across Colorado Springs and El Paso County.
Our team has the resources and experience needed to take on complex cases and hold negligent parties accountable. From investigating the cause of your injury to negotiating with insurance companies and preparing for trial, we are dedicated to securing the compensation you need for medical care, rehabilitation, and lifelong support.
Call 719-888-3720 today or connect with us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation. With offices serving Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, and surrounding areas, Pribila and Fields is committed to protecting your rights and helping you move forward after a spinal cord injury.
Pribila and Fields, P.C. has successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases and tried scores of cases where an insurance carrier refused to pay fair compensation for injuries, losses or damages.
18 E. Monument Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
reception@pribila.com
Phone: (719) 888-3720
Fax: (719) 473-2542