Yes, you can. You don’t need a final diagnosis to start a spinal cord injury claim. Waiting too long could actually hurt your case, as Ohio’s statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines. What’s important is that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. An attorney can begin building your case while doctors assess the full extent of your injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
Toledo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Spinal cord injury is synonymous with the words paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia. We all know what those mean. But virtual paralysis resulting from back injuries such as a herniated disk or impinged nerve endings can be just as devastating and make every waking movement an ordeal. In either case, we believe that a fair result is about more than just money to meet the actual physical or medical needs of our clients, it’s about quality of life as well.
At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we represent spinal cord injury and severe back injury clients in the Toledo area and throughout Ohio. This work has been part of our practice since 1973 and because of that, we’ve learned a few things about these injuries that insurance companies would rather we hadn’t. One of these things is that unlike most injuries, spinal cord and back injuries tend to grow worse over time, not better.
This fact makes proper Life Care Planning essential. Before determining what amount of damages to seek, you have to look carefully at a host of issues, including:
- Future medical treatments
- Nursing costs
- Home remodeling needs
- Transportation needs
- Home medical equipment
- Equipment replacement costs
- Projected worsening of the condition
- Life expectancy
- Inflation
As lawyers, we take on spinal cord injury cases because we know how to handle them — not to collect referral fees from other attorneys, or for that matter, to settle cases quickly at our clients’ expense. We work with medical experts, economists, accountants, and other professionals to answer the important questions and use sophisticated medical exhibits to convey not only what happened and how it has impacted our clients — but how it will continue to affect them in the future and to do that convincingly so that our clients get the help they need and deserve.
Trial Lawyers Since 1973
We’ve been here through the long term because we look out for our clients’ long-term interests. For a free consultation, call our Toledo, Ohio law offices or contact us online today. Our lawyers handle spinal cord injury claims on a contingent fee basis — that means you will pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement in your case.
FAQs About Ohio Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
Can I Recover Lost Future Income If I Can't Work Again?
Yes. If your injury keeps you from working, you can seek compensation for lost future earning potential. The calculation will include factors like your age, occupation, salary history, and career path. Professionals may be brought in to calculate what you would have earned over your career. This is a key part of a paralysis claim and requires careful documentation.
Will Insurance Try to Downplay My Spinal Cord Injury?
Unfortunately, yes. Insurance companies often challenge the severity of spinal cord injuries, claiming symptoms are exaggerated or due to pre-existing conditions. Strong medical records, imaging, and testimony from your doctors are critical for countering these arguments.
How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Paralysis Cases?
Ohio courts don’t use a set formula for pain and suffering. Factors like the severity of your injury, limitations on daily life, emotional impact, and loss of enjoyment are considered. Paralysis affects every aspect of life, and these losses are taken seriously. Detailed documentation of how your injury has changed your life strengthens this part of your claim.
What Long-Term Health Issues Can Paralysis Cause?
Paralysis often leads to ongoing health challenges like pressure sores, infections, respiratory issues, chronic pain, muscle spasms, and depression. Spinal cord injuries can worsen over time, making a comprehensive Life Care Plan essential. This plan outlines future medical needs and costs, which directly impacts the compensation you can pursue.
CASE RESULTS
All of our partners are AV Peer Review Rated* through Martindale-Hubbell. Out-of-state referrals are welcome for all
areas of practice we handle, including personal injury, workers’ compensation and insurance claims issues.
$9.4
Million
Wrongful death from obstetrician negligence
$975
Thousand
Motorcycle accident, fractured femur and ankle
$4.0
Million
Brain injury to infant due to delayed delivery
$800
Thousand
Explosion/burn injury victim
$4.0
Million
Wrongful death of husband/father due to failure to timely diagnose bowel ischemia
$700
Thousand
Blunt force trauma and multiple hip and leg fractures
$3.4
Million
Husband/father killed in explosion of a public fireworks display
$647
Thousand
Garbage truck landing on victim’s vehicle causing severe injury
$2.9
Million
Worker hit by tractor-trailer resulting in multiple fractures
$575
Thousand
Husband and wife injured in an automobile collision
$2.8
Million
Wrongful death due to highway construction error
$543
Thousand
Severe injuries sustained by a passenger in an automobile accident
$2.6
Million
Pedestrian hit by tractor-trailer resulting in loss of limb and permanent brain injury
$487
Thousand
Massive fractures of the foot
$1.7
Million
Minor severely injured from fall off a riding lawn mower
$474
Thousand
Multiple leg fractures and tendon/ligament damage
$1.6
Million
Passenger in automobile hit by tractor-trailer resulting in severe cranial and facial fractures and brain injury
$425
Thousand
Contested liability- significant traumatic injuries
$1.6
Million
Wrongful death of motorcyclist hit by tractor trailer
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
CONTACT US
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notifications | Privacy Policy