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Colorado Springs Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Colorado Springs Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

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.

 

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

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:

  • Incomplete injuries: The spinal cord is only partially damaged. Victims may retain some level of movement or sensation below the injury site, though their abilities are significantly impaired. Recovery is possible in some cases, but limitations are often permanent.
  • Complete injuries: The spinal cord is fully severed or destroyed at the injury site. This leads to a total loss of sensation and function below the level of the injury. Victims with complete injuries may face paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body) or quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on both the extent of damage and the location of the injury:

  • Injuries higher on the spine, such as in the cervical region, typically cause more widespread paralysis and greater medical complications.
  • Lower spinal cord injuries may allow limited mobility but can still result in lifelong impairments and chronic pain.

Beyond physical limitations, victims in Colorado Springs frequently face challenges such as:

  • Loss of independence: Many require assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or transportation.
  • Chronic health problems: Issues such as respiratory difficulties, nerve pain, and circulatory problems are common.
  • Emotional strain: Depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation often accompany these injuries, particularly during the transition to a new way of life.
  • Family impact: Loved ones often step into caregiver roles, creating additional financial and emotional stress.

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.

 

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Colorado Springs

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:

  • Car accidents: High-speed collisions and rollover crashes remain the leading cause of spinal cord trauma. Even with modern vehicle safety features, the forces involved in a serious crash can fracture vertebrae and compress or sever the spinal cord.
  • Truck accidents: Collisions involving commercial trucks are especially dangerous due to their size and weight. Victims of truck crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage leading to partial or total paralysis.
  • Motorcycle accidents: Riders have little protection in a collision. A single impact can throw a motorcyclist from their bike, resulting in severe spinal cord injuries, especially in high-speed or multi-vehicle crashes.
  • Falls and unsafe premises: Slip-and-fall accidents, broken stairways, poorly maintained walkways, and unsafe construction sites frequently cause spinal fractures. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, victims may face life-changing consequences.
  • Recreational accidents and violence: Sports-related collisions, diving accidents, defective recreational equipment, and acts of violence also contribute to a significant number of spinal cord injuries each year in El Paso County.

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.

 

Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

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:

  • Cervical spinal cord injuries (C1–C7): These occur in the neck and are the most severe. Victims often experience quadriplegia, meaning paralysis of both the arms and legs. Cervical injuries may also affect breathing, requiring ventilator support.
  • Thoracic spinal cord injuries (T1–T12): Located in the mid-back, these injuries usually result in paraplegia, affecting the legs and lower body. Victims often retain full use of their arms and hands but may need a wheelchair for mobility.
  • Lumbar spinal cord injuries (L1–L5): Found in the lower back, these injuries impact hip and leg function. While some victims may still walk with braces or other assistance, mobility is often significantly reduced.
  • Sacral spinal cord injuries (S1–S5): These injuries occur near the tailbone and can affect the hips, thighs, bladder, and bowel control. In some cases, victims may retain most motor function but still face significant limitations and chronic pain.

Each level of injury carries its own long-term consequences. For example:

  • A cervical injury may mean permanent dependence on caregivers and medical equipment.
  • A lumbar or sacral injury may still allow for some independence but require costly adaptive devices and home modifications.
  • All levels of spinal cord injuries increase the risk of secondary conditions such as respiratory problems, blood clots, pressure sores, and chronic infections.

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.

Long-Term Effects and Daily Challenges

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:

  • Paralysis: Depending on the level of injury, victims may experience paraplegia or quadriplegia. This loss of mobility often requires permanent use of a wheelchair or other assistive devices.
  • Chronic health problems: Many spinal cord injury victims develop respiratory complications, muscle weakness, circulatory issues, or pressure sores from reduced mobility.
  • Loss of earning ability: A large percentage of victims cannot return to their previous occupations, resulting in lifelong income loss.
  • Emotional and psychological strain: Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common as victims adjust to their new circumstances.
  • Family strain: The injury often affects entire households. Spouses or children may need to provide daily care, while financial pressures can strain relationships.

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.

 

Rehabilitation and Ongoing Care Needs

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:

  • Physical therapy: Focused on building strength, improving coordination, and maximizing mobility. Even if full recovery is impossible, therapy helps victims achieve the highest degree of independence.
  • Occupational therapy: Training victims to adapt to daily activities such as dressing, cooking, or returning to work with modified techniques.
  • Assistive technology: From wheelchairs and braces to advanced voice-controlled or computer-assisted devices, technology helps restore some degree of independence.
  • Home and vehicle modifications: Installing ramps, widening doorways, retrofitting bathrooms, or adapting vehicles to accommodate wheelchairs.
  • Long-term medical care: Regular monitoring by specialists, ongoing medication, treatment for infections, and management of secondary conditions like blood clots or respiratory issues.

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.

Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Colorado Springs

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:

  • Economic damages: These cover measurable financial losses such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescriptions, lost wages, and future medical care. Given the high cost of lifetime treatment, economic damages in spinal cord injury cases often reach into the millions.
  • Non-economic damages: These compensate victims for the intangible but equally devastating effects of spinal cord injuries. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The process of recovering compensation depends heavily on how the injury occurred:

  • Motor vehicle collisions: If another driver caused the accident, claims may involve both their insurance company and, in some cases, product liability claims against a manufacturer.
  • Workplace accidents: Victims may be entitled to workers’ compensation, but they may also pursue third-party liability claims if subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners contributed to the injury.
  • Premises liability: Unsafe properties, broken stairs, and other hazards may leave property owners or managers legally responsible.

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.

 

How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help

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:

  • Conducting detailed investigations: We collect evidence such as police reports, accident reconstructions, witness testimony, and expert opinions to establish liability.
  • Collaborating with medical professionals: By partnering with neurologists, rehabilitation experts, and life-care planners, we build a complete picture of the victim’s medical condition and future care needs.
  • Calculating damages accurately: We account for current and future medical costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
  • Negotiating with insurers: Our attorneys have decades of experience countering the tactics insurers use to undervalue claims. We push for fair settlements that reflect the true costs of spinal cord injuries.
  • Preparing for trial: If insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to present a compelling case before a jury.

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.

 

Serving Colorado Springs and Surrounding Areas

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.

 

Why Choose Pribila and Fields for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim

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:

  • 40+ years of combined experience handling catastrophic injury claims.
  • Exclusive focus on personal injury and wrongful death, ensuring deep knowledge of Colorado law.
  • Proven results in complex cases involving spinal cord trauma.
  • Direct attorney access. We believe clients should always be able to reach the lawyer handling their case.
  • Compassionate advocacy that prioritizes long-term recovery and family well-being.

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.

 

Additional Personal Injury Services Offered

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.

 

Contact Pribila and Fields Today for Your Colorado Springs Spinal Cord Injury Claim

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.

We're here to help you get justice & our friendly, qualified attorneys can help you pursue your claim & get the compensation you deserve.

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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.

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18 E. Monument Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
reception@pribila.com

Phone: (719) 888-3720
Fax: (719) 473-2542

The information provided on this website is offered purely for informational purposes. It is not intended to create or promote an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal advice. It is not intended to seek professional employment in any state where lawyers in the firm are not admitted to practice, or in any state where this website would not comply with applicable requirements concerning advertisements and solicitations.

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