A spinal cord injury changes everything about how you live, work, and care for your family. Medical bills pile up. Income stops. And the physical pain is only part of what you’re facing. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to pursue compensation for everything you’ve suffered and lost.
A San Antonio spinal cord injury lawyer with Ryan Orsatti Law can help you fight for the recovery you need. These cases require an attorney who understands the lifetime impact of catastrophic injuries and knows how to hold negligent parties accountable. Attorney Ryan Orsatti works directly with each client, providing the personal attention and aggressive advocacy these serious cases demand.
San Antonio Spinal Cord Injury Guide
Legal Representation for San Antonio Spinal Cord Injury Cases: Key Takeaways
- Spinal cord injuries often result in lifetime medical costs exceeding $1 million, not including lost wages, pain and suffering, or diminished quality of life.
- Car crashes and other motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries in Texas.
- Texas law allows spinal cord injury victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
- There is a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Texas.
- Ryan Orsatti Law offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis.
Why San Antonio Families Trust Ryan Orsatti Law
Choosing the right San Antonio spinal cord injury law firm matters. These claims involve substantial damages, complex medical evidence, and aggressive opposition from insurance companies. You need someone who will fight for full and fair compensation.
Direct access to Attorney Ryan Orsatti
Unlike larger firms where cases get handed off to junior associates, Ryan Orsatti Law offers a different approach. Attorney Ryan Orsatti personally handles each case from consultation through resolution. You’ll have his direct phone number and email. When you have questions or concerns, you’ll speak with the attorney actually working on your case.
A relentless advocate for injured Texans
Insurance companies know which attorneys will accept lowball offers and which ones will take cases to trial if necessary. Ryan Orsatti has built a reputation for thorough preparation and aggressive negotiation. When insurers know a trial-ready attorney is on the other side, they’re more likely to offer fair settlements.
No upfront costs, ever
Spinal cord injury victims face enough financial stress without worrying about legal fees. Ryan Orsatti Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free, and there are no hidden costs along the way.
Help beyond legal representation
Dealing with a spinal cord injury means managing countless details while trying to recover. Ryan Orsatti Law helps clients arrange transportation to medical appointments and connects them with doctors who may treat patients without requiring upfront payment. This support allows you to focus on what matters most: your health and your family.
Bilingual services available
Ryan Orsatti Law serves San Antonio’s diverse community with representation available in both English and Spanish. Language barriers shouldn’t prevent anyone from accessing quality legal help after a catastrophic injury.
What Happens When the Spinal Cord Is Damaged?
The spinal cord carries signals between your brain and body. When the cord is damaged through trauma, those signals are disrupted or completely blocked. The result may be partial or total loss of movement, sensation, and bodily functions below the injury site.
Spinal cord injuries fall into two main categories:
- Complete injuries result in total loss of motor function and sensation below the damage.
- Incomplete injuries allow some signals to pass through, leaving the victim with partial function.
The location of damage also determines severity. Injuries higher on the spine affect more of the body. Cervical (neck) injuries may cause quadriplegia, affecting all four limbs. Thoracic and lumbar injuries typically result in paraplegia, affecting the lower body.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 18,000 Americans suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries each year. The average age at injury has risen to 43, and roughly 79% of new cases involve men.
Symptoms and complications beyond paralysis
Paralysis is often the most visible consequence of a spinal cord injury, but it’s far from the only one. Damage to the spinal cord disrupts the body’s entire communication network, affecting systems you may not immediately associate with your spine.
Chronic pain and spasticity. Many spinal cord injury victims experience neuropathic pain, a burning or stabbing sensation caused by damaged nerves sending faulty signals to the brain. Others struggle with spasticity, involuntary muscle spasms that affect up to 78% of people with chronic spinal cord injuries.
Bladder and bowel dysfunction. Loss of bladder and bowel control is common regardless of where the injury occurs. Many victims require catheterization or other daily management strategies, significantly affecting independence and quality of life.
Respiratory complications. Breathing problems pose serious risks, particularly for cervical injuries. Damage between the C1 and C4 vertebrae may paralyze the diaphragm, requiring mechanical ventilation. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, pneumonia and other respiratory issues are the leading cause of death among people living with spinal cord injuries.
Secondary health risks. Spinal cord injuries create ongoing vulnerability to additional medical problems, including:
- Blood clots from reduced circulation in the legs
- Pressure sores from prolonged immobility
- Sexual dysfunction affecting intimacy and relationships
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition causing dangerous spikes in blood pressure
Psychological impact. Depression and anxiety are common as victims adjust to dramatic changes in their abilities, independence, and daily routines. The emotional toll affects not only the injured person but their entire family.
The reality is that a spinal cord injury touches every part of a person’s life. Careers end or change dramatically. Relationships are tested. Simple tasks that once took seconds may now require assistance or adaptive equipment.
When someone else’s negligence causes this level of disruption, Texas law allows victims to seek compensation that accounts for the full scope of their losses, not just medical bills.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in San Antonio
San Antonio’s busy highways, including I-35, I-10, Loop 410, and Loop 1604, see thousands of serious accidents each year. Many result in catastrophic injuries to the spine.
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 38% of all traumatic spinal cord injuries
- Falls cause about 32% of cases and are the leading cause for people over 65
- Violence including gunshot wounds represents roughly 15% of injuries
- Sports and recreation activities account for approximately 8%
- Construction and workplace accidents involving falls, falling objects, or equipment failures
Whether your injury happened on a San Antonio highway, at a construction site near downtown, or in any other preventable accident, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. A San Antonio spinal cord injury attorney with Ryan Orsatti Law can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
The True Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive medical conditions to treat. The financial burden extends far beyond initial hospitalization, which is why working with an experienced San Antonio spinal cord injury lawyer matters. You need someone who understands how to calculate and pursue the full value of these catastrophic claims.
First-year medical costs alone may exceed $1 million for severe injuries affecting all four limbs. Annual expenses for ongoing care, equipment, and medications typically range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, depending on the severity of the injury.
Lifetime costs vary based on age at injury and severity. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, estimated lifetime expenditures for spinal cord injury patients range from $700,000 to millions in direct medical costs.
These figures do not account for:
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Home modifications such as ramps, lifts, and accessible bathrooms
- Specialized vehicles and mobility equipment
- Long-term nursing care or personal assistance
- Pain and suffering
Types of Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Victims
Texas law allows spinal cord injury victims to recover damages when another party’s negligence caused their harm. Compensation may include:
Economic damages
These cover your measurable financial losses. They include past and future medical expenses, lost wages or income, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and any property damage from the accident.
Non-economic damages
These address losses that don’t come with receipts. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium all fall into this category. For permanent injuries like paralysis, these damages are often substantial.
Punitive damages
In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, Texas courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
How Negligence Leads to Spinal Cord Injuries
Most spinal cord injury claims are based on negligence. To recover compensation, your attorney must show that someone else owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries as a result.
Examples of negligence causing spinal cord injuries in San Antonio
Many preventable accidents result in catastrophic spinal trauma. Common scenarios include:
- Reckless drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, or speeding cause high-impact collisions that injure motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists
- Trucking companies that push drivers beyond federal hours-of-service limits or fail to maintain their fleets create dangerous conditions on Texas highways
- Property owners who neglect hazards such as wet floors, broken stairs, or inadequate lighting may be liable when visitors suffer serious fall injuries
- Employers and contractors who ignore OSHA regulations and safety protocols put workers at risk for falls, struck-by accidents, and equipment-related injuries
When corporations or large insurers are involved, they often have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts. Having a dedicated spinal cord injury lawyer in San Antonio levels the playing field.
Steps to Protect Your Claim After a Spinal Cord Injury
If you’ve already received emergency medical care for a spinal cord injury or you’re still undergoing treatment, there are additional measures that can strengthen your legal claim. Beyond medical treatment, consider the following:
- Hire a San Antonio spinal cord injury attorney right away. Legal representation preserves evidence, handles insurance communications, and protects you from early settlement offers that undervalue your claim. The sooner your attorney begins working, the stronger your case.
- Attend all medical appointments and follow treatment plans. Consistent care creates a clear record connecting your injuries to the accident. Missing appointments or ignoring doctor recommendations gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.
- Keep a daily journal documenting your experience. Record your pain levels, mobility limitations, emotional struggles, and how the injury affects daily activities. Written or video entries provide solid evidence of your non-economic damages.
- Avoid discussing your case on social media. Insurance adjusters search for posts that contradict injury claims. Even innocent photos or comments may be taken out of context and used against you.
- Do not sign anything from an insurance company without legal review. Early settlement offers rarely account for lifetime medical needs, lost earning capacity, or the full extent of your suffering.
Your focus right now should be on healing and adapting to life after injury. Let a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer in San Antonio handle the legal strategy, evidence gathering, and negotiations.
FAQs About San Antonio Spinal Cord Injury Claims
What is the deadline for filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Texas?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. This means you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.
Certain exceptions exist for minors or cases involving government entities, so consult a San Antonio spinal cord injury lawyer promptly to understand your specific timeline.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident that caused my injury?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your total recovery would be reduced by 20%. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured victims to protect their bottom line, making experienced legal representation essential to protect the value of your claim.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury attorney?
At Ryan Orsatti Law, consultations are free and we work on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows injured victims to access an experienced San Antonio spinal cord injury attorney regardless of their current financial situation.
How long do spinal cord injury cases take to resolve?
Every case differs. Factors affecting the timeline include the severity of your injuries, whether liability is disputed, how many parties are involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Your attorney will give you realistic expectations based on the specific circumstances of your claim.
What does my attorney need to prove to win a spinal cord injury case in Texas?
To recover compensation, your experienced attorney must prove the defendant’s negligence caused your injury. You must prove four key elements: the defendant owed you a duty of care, the defendant breached that duty through a careless action or inaction, the defendant’s breach directly caused your spinal cord injury, and you suffered quantifiable damages as a result.
What evidence helps prove a spinal cord injury claim?
Strong spinal cord injury cases typically include medical records documenting the injury and treatment, accident reports, witness statements, expert testimony from medical professionals, documentation of lost wages and expenses, and evidence showing how the injury has affected your daily life. Your San Antonio spinal cord injury attorney will gather and organize this evidence while you focus on recovery.
Call Ryan Orsatti Law Today and Take Control of Your Future
Spinal cord injuries are generally irreversible, and while you can’t change what happened to you, you can control what happens next. You have the right to pursue compensation from those responsible for your injuries. You have the right to quality legal representation that puts your interests first.
Attorney Ryan Orsatti is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your options. The consultation is free. There’s no obligation and no pressure.
Call Ryan Orsatti Law today or contact us online for your free case evaluation. We serve spinal cord injury victims throughout San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and all of Texas.
Ryan Orsatti Law – San Antonio Office
Address: 4634 De Zavala Rd
San Antonio, TX 78249
P: (210) 525-1200