A spinal cord injury can upend every aspect of your life in an instant. Whether caused by a car accident, a fall at work, or a sports incident, damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis, chronic pain, and the need for lifelong medical care. The physical toll is immense, but the financial and emotional burdens can be just as devastating; mounting hospital bills, lost income, home modifications, and ongoing therapy add up quickly.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in San Gabriel, CA, you need an attorney who understands both the medical complexities and the legal challenges involved. At Perliss Law Firm, we bring over 35 years of experience to every injury case. We work in both English and Mandarin, offer free, confidential consultations, and tailor our approach to secure the maximum compensation possible.
Our contingency arrangement means you pay nothing upfront and owe us only if we win your case, so you can concentrate on your recovery rather than legal costs. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you rebuild your life.
A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma to the spine damages the bundle of nerves that carry messages between the brain and the body. The spinal cord runs inside the vertebral column, and any compression, severing, or bruising of these nerves can interrupt signals. This disruption often leads to loss of sensation, motor function, and reflex control below the site of injury.
Prompt medical treatment and specialized rehabilitation can improve outcomes, but many victims face lifelong care needs. Recognizing the type and severity of a spinal cord injury is the first step in understanding the scope of both medical treatment and potential legal claims.
Paraplegia results from damage below the first thoracic vertebra, causing paralysis or significant weakness of the legs and lower trunk.
Quadriplegia occurs when the injury is at the cervical level, resulting in paralysis or weakness in all four limbs and the torso.
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some sensory or motor function remains below the site of injury, allowing for limited movement or feeling.
A complete spinal cord injury leads to total loss of all sensation and voluntary movement below the level of injury.
Common symptoms include chronic pain, muscle spasms, impaired bladder and bowel control, and breathing difficulties. Prompt medical treatment and specialized rehabilitation can improve outcomes, but many victims face lifelong care needs. Recognizing the type and severity of a spinal cord injury is the first step in understanding the scope of both medical treatment and potential legal claims.
Spinal cord injuries can result from many types of accidents and incidents, each carrying its own risk factors. Understanding these common causes helps victims and their attorneys identify liable parties and secure evidence to support a claim.
High-speed crashes, rollovers, and side-impact collisions often generate enough force to damage the spinal column, making automobile accidents one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries.
Falls from ladders, slipping on wet surfaces, or tripping over hazards can lead to sudden jarring impacts on the spine, resulting in compression fractures or nerve damage.
Construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses pose significant risks, including heavy object strikes, scaffolding collapses, and forklift mishaps that can injure the spine.
High-impact sports such as football, diving into shallow water, and equestrian events carry a risk of neck and back trauma that may sever or bruise the spinal cord.
Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or improper spinal injections can directly harm the spinal cord or its protective structures, leading to paralysis or chronic neurological deficits.
Gunshot wounds, stabbings, and other violent assaults can penetrate or fracture vertebrae, causing immediate and severe spinal cord damage.
By pinpointing how your injury occurred, an experienced attorney can identify responsible parties, negligent drivers, property owners, employers, or medical providers, and pursue the compensation you need for treatment and recovery.
A spinal cord injury often marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of medical care, rehabilitation, and adjustment. Beyond the immediate emergency treatment and surgery, victims typically require extensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and possibly ongoing assistance for daily activities. Many also experience secondary complications such as pressure ulcers, respiratory issues, and chronic pain that demand specialized care.
The financial burden of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming. Initial hospital bills may reach six figures, and the cost of rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and home modifications can add hundreds of thousands more. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity further compound the economic strain, potentially affecting both the injured person and their family.
Lifetime medical costs, including surgeries, medications, outpatient therapies, and medical equipment, can exceed one million dollars.
Ongoing physical and occupational therapy is essential to maximize independence and often requires multiple weekly sessions for years.
Wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, stair lifts, and modified vehicles are necessary to ensure accessibility and mobility.
Many victims are unable to return to their previous jobs or must accept reduced work hours, leading to significant income loss over a working lifetime.
Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common and often require counseling or psychiatric care.
Calculating these long-term costs accurately is crucial when pursuing compensation. An experienced spinal cord injury attorney will work with medical experts and financial analysts to develop a comprehensive damages claim that addresses current and future needs.
Victims of spinal cord injuries in California can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for their harm. California law allows injured individuals to recover a range of damages designed to cover past and future losses, restore their quality of life, and, in some cases, punish especially reckless conduct. An experienced attorney will calculate all categories of damages, document them with expert testimony, and negotiate aggressively with insurers or present a compelling case at trial.
Economic damages reimburse out-of-pocket costs and financial losses directly tied to the injury. Non-economic damages address intangible harms, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in rare cases involving particularly egregious negligence or willful misconduct.
You can recover the cost of past and anticipated future medical care, including surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, therapies, and specialized treatments.
Compensation covers income lost during recovery and reduced ability to earn in the future due to permanent disability.
Awards may cover wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, accessible bathrooms, and vehicle conversions necessary for mobility.
You can seek funds for wheelchairs, braces, prosthetics, and other medical equipment required to maintain independence.
Damages include the cost of professional caregivers or family members who provide daily living assistance such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
Non-economic damages compensate for physical pain, discomfort, and the loss of bodily functions caused by the injury.
You may recover from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health impacts resulting from the trauma.
Awards address the inability to participate in hobbies, sports, travel, and other activities once enjoyed.
In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, the court may impose punitive damages to punish the defendant and discourage similar conduct.
A thorough damages analysis is critical to ensuring that your settlement or jury award fully reflects immediate needs and lifelong care. At Perliss Law Firm, we collaborate with medical professionals and life-care planners to create robust, future-oriented compensation demands. Our contingency arrangement means we only collect a fee if we win your case, so you never pay out of pocket for our legal services.
California law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, including those for spinal cord injuries. If you miss the applicable deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, regardless of its merits. Understanding these limits and any exceptions is essential to preserving your right to compensation.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you must file your spinal cord injury lawsuit within two years of the date the injury occurred.
If the defendant is a public entity or employee, you must first file an administrative claim within six months of the injury or before the suit; only after the claim is denied can you proceed to court.
When the injury victim is under 18 at the time of the incident, the two-year statute is tolled until their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to file.
In rare cases, if the injury or its cause was not reasonably discoverable, the deadline may be extended to two years from the date you discovered—or should have discovered—the harm.
Because these deadlines cannot be extended except in limited circumstances, it is critical to consult an attorney promptly after a spinal cord injury. At Perliss Law Firm, we ensure all claims are filed on time, and any potential exceptions are properly invoked.
"I personally was recommended to Sanford Perliss. My situation was dire. After our first meeting I Immediately felt relieved, I knew I was in good hands. He handled the case diligently and with the utmost professionalism. I don't know where I would be without the help of this man. Thank you Sandy, I will recommend you to anybody I know."
"I can’t thank Perliss Law Firm enough for their outstanding representation. I felt confident I was in good hands from the moment I walked into their office. They explained every step of the process regarding my case and made sure I was fully informed about my options. Perliss Law Firm is professional and cares greatly about their clients. Highly recommend!"
"Perliss Law Firm’s attorneys are extremely experienced and skilled。 They treated me with respect and were always available to answer any questions I had. I am extremely grateful and would recommend their firm if you’re looking for a dedicated and trustworthy defense team."
A spinal cord injury case involves more than simply filing forms—it requires meticulous investigation, strategic negotiation, and, when necessary, persuasive courtroom advocacy. An experienced attorney serves as both advocate and guide, ensuring that medical, financial, and legal complexities are managed efficiently so you can focus on recovery.
Your attorney will gather evidence from the accident scene, obtain police and medical records, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the incident to establish liability.
From neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists to life‐care planners and economists, your lawyer engages knowledgeable professionals to quantify injuries, project future needs, and support your claim.
A detailed demand package outlines your current and future costs, past and projected lost earnings, and non-economic harms. Your attorney then negotiates with insurance adjusters or defense counsel, aiming for a full and fair settlement.
If negotiations stall, your attorney files a lawsuit, handles pretrial motions, and presents your case in court. Skilled examination of witnesses, compelling opening and closing statements, and effective jury instructions are crucial to securing maximum compensation.
Managing deadlines, paperwork, and updates can be overwhelming. Your attorney keeps you informed at every stage and handles logistical details such as medical releases and court appearances.
By taking a comprehensive approach, a spinal cord injury attorney ensures that every aspect of your claim is addressed, from proving negligence to calculating lifelong expenses. At Perliss Law Firm, our team applies over 35 years of experience to advocate for the justice and recovery you deserve.
Perliss Law Firm combines deep personal injury expertise with a client-focused approach to secure the full compensation you deserve after a spinal cord injury. From our first conversation through settlement or trial, we handle every aspect of your claim so you can concentrate on your recovery and well-being.
With over 35 years of combined legal practice, we understand how to navigate complex injury claims and negotiate with insurance companies to maximize your award.
We deploy investigators to document the scene, collect critical evidence, and identify all potentially liable parties, from negligent drivers to property owners or employers.
We work closely with medical specialists, life-care planners, and vocational experts to build a thorough picture of your current needs and future expenses.
Every spinal cord injury is unique. We tailor our legal strategy to your situation, whether negotiating a prompt settlement or taking your case to trial.
Fluent in English and Mandarin, our team ensures clear communication so you always understand your rights, options, and case progress.
We offer no-cost, no-obligation evaluations of your spinal cord injury claim to explain your legal options and outline our approach.
We handle paperwork, coordinate medical releases, meet deadlines, and keep you informed, providing peace of mind when you need it most.
When spinal cord damage disrupts your life, Perliss Law Firm stands ready to stand by your side and fight for the justice and financial security you need to move forward.
At Perliss Law Firm, we believe that everyone deserves access to top-tier legal representation without the stress of upfront costs. That’s why we handle spinal cord injury cases on a contingency basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
You never owe attorney fees or retainers when you hire us. We cover all case-related expenses and only collect our fee if we recover damages on your behalf.
If we do not obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor, you are not responsible for any legal fees. This guarantee aligns our success with yours.
Before we begin, we clearly outline our percentage and any potential costs so there are no surprises. You always know exactly what to expect from the financial side of your claim.
With our contingency fee promise, you can focus on your recovery while we fight to maximize your compensation, without worrying about any out-of-pocket legal bills.
Don’t face the aftermath of a spinal cord injury on your own. Our team is ready to stand by your side and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. With our contingency fee structure, you face no upfront costs and only pay if we achieve a successful outcome, so you can focus on healing rather than worrying about legal expenses. At Perliss Law Firm, we provide free, confidential consultations in English and Mandarin so you can fully understand your rights and options.
We’ll review your case in detail, answer your questions, and craft a personalized strategy that covers everything from evidence gathering and expert coordination to insurance negotiations or trial representation. Contact Perliss Law Firm today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward rebuilding your life. We serve the areas of Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Gabriel.
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