PERSONAL INJURY

New Jersey Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

If you’ve suffered a back, neck, or spinal cord injury, you could be left with chronic pain, diminished mobility, and thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages. But if someone else is to blame for your injury, you shouldn’t bear these burdens alone. The law firm of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman can help you demand the compensation you are owed and hold the party responsible for your injury accountable for their actions. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey back, neck, and spinal cord injury lawyer.

How Our New Jersey Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Can Help

For nearly a century, the trial and litigation law firm of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman has served the needs of injured people throughout New Jersey. Our respected personal injury attorneys have earned a reputation as a go-to team for complex cases, having recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of thousands of clients. That reputation is why four out of every five of our clients are referred to us by a friend, family member, co-worker, or another attorney.

Our firm is staffed with seasoned negotiators and skilled trial lawyers who are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect our clients’ best interests. Despite our team’s considerable size and resources, our attorneys want to develop personal relationships with each client and devote careful attention to their case.

If you or someone close to you has suffered a back, neck, or spinal cord injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault, don’t hesitate to get in touch and learn how we can help.

From our clients

I would recommend Richard Isolde to my family and friends, and he was accommodating in handling our case. He was always available by text, phone calls, and email. Most significantly, he helped us get what we deserved. Richard Isolde is always there for his clients and does whatever he can to get the job done.

Richard Isolde worked very hard on my case, making the impossible possible.
He was able to get the full amount up to the policy limit and then get punitive damages in addition. I understand that is a rare accomplishment. I am grateful for that and I congratulate him. Your firm was recommended to me by a friend and I will pay it forward by recommending him as well as PRA.

I used Mr. (SQ) Lee for a personal injury matter and could not have been any more pleased with his services. He understood my injury and helped me every step of the way. He was courteous and kind and I always felt better after speaking with him. His assistant, Sherrill, was also wonderful and together they made a great team! I would absolutely recommend them, and the firm, to anyone.

What Are the Differences Between Spinal Cord Injuries and Other Back and Neck Injuries?

Back and neck injuries like herniated discs, muscle strains, and whiplash frequently have painful and long-lasting effects, but most of these remain isolated to the back or neck and many eventually resolve with treatment and time.

Spinal cord injuries are distinct from these injuries for two key reasons. First, the spinal cord is the core of the nervous system, which controls our ability to feel and move. When the spinal cord becomes compressed or damaged, it can prevent the brain from transmitting signals below the injury site, potentially resulting in partial or total paralysis.

The other key difference is that, unlike most other soft tissues, the specialized nervous tissue of the spinal cord doesn’t automatically regenerate after trauma. Consequently, most spinal cord injuries are effectively irreversible.

Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

The two main types of spinal cord injuries are complete and incomplete. A complete SCI thoroughly damages the spinal cord and results in a total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site. On the other hand, an incomplete SCI is a less severe injury that results in only a partial loss of movement and sensation below the injury site.

In addition to these two types of SCI, medical professionals typically categorize SCI into the four following levels, which are based on the location of the injury:

Cervical SCI – The cervical spinal cord is located in the neck. A cervical SCI is typically considered the most severe since it results in the partial or total loss of movement and sensation below the neck.
Thoracic SCI – The thoracic spinal cord runs through the upper and mid-back. Thoracic SCI victims sometimes retain function in their arms but often lose function in the lower half of the body.
Lumbar SCI – The lumbar spinal cord is situated in the lower back. A lumbar SCI typically results in a loss of function in the hips and legs.
Sacral SCI – The sacral spinal cord is located at the base of the spine, just above the tailbone. A sacral SCI can impair function in the hips, buttocks, and legs, but many sacral SCI patients can retain or relearn the ability to walk.

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms and Impairments

The symptoms and impairments accompanying a spinal cord injury can vary significantly depending on the severity and location of the SCI. Examples include:

Complete or total loss of motor function
Loss of or altered sensation
Loss of the ability to feel heat or cold
Muscle spasms and exaggerated reflexes
Changes in sexual function and fertility
Pain and stinging sensations from nerve damage
Difficulty coughing and clearing secretions in the lungs

Our Victories

Nursing Home Settlements

Settlements from nursing home neglect cases involving contraction of pressure ulcers, falls with fractures or other injuries and infections have resulted in the following outcomes.

$2M

$2 Million Settlement in SUV Accident Case

A passenger in a SUV suffered a broken neck and other injuries when the vehicle rolled over because of the negligence of the driver and the failure of a tire.

$750K

$750,000 for Defective Product in “Scalding Water Leak” Injury

A delivery driver brought his car in to the dealer for a water leak repair. A week later he returned because the leak continued. He was told to continue driving the car and return a few days later.

$4.47M

$4.47 Million in Paralyzing Injury from Swimming Pool Diving Accident

When a 19-year-old woman dove into an above ground swimming pool, she fractured her neck and became a quadriplegic for life. There were no warning signs at the pool, although the law requires diving warnings.

$425K

$425,000 for Neck & Spinal Injuries in Missile Silo Clean-up “Missing Floor Fall”

While cleaning up an abandoned US Air Force missile silo, our client fell through an unmarked missing floor in a dark room. He suffered serious neck and spinal injuries, requiring two surgeries.

$1.1M

$1.1 Million Pre-Trial Settlement for Bus Accident Victim

A construction foreman, driving his pick-up truck south on the NJ Turnpike, was struck from behind by a commercial bus and forced across two lanes of traffic.

$700K

$700,000 to Diabetic Plumber Injured at Construction Site

Climbing down a ladder, a union plumber stepped on a nail protruding from wood left at a construction site in Jersey City by the general contractor or sub-contractors that had performed framing on the construction site.

$1.4M

$1.4 Million Dollar Settlement in Truck Accident

We obtained a $1.4 million dollar settlement on behalf of a driver whose vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer’s blown-out tire. Our client was driving his company vehicle when the Defendant’s tractor trailer had a tire blowout.

$95K

$95,000 for Man Injured in Auto Accident

A 47-year-old man received $95,000 in a settlement to compensate him for a serious fracture to his right wrist suffered in an auto accident. Although the fracture required surgery, the man made a good recovery from his injury.

$250K

Car accident victim suffering severe injuries awarded $250,000

A New Jersey driver swerved into an improperly installed guardrail/partition which, upon impact, impaled the vehicle and severed our client’s left leg. Despite a series of complex circumstances impacting liability, and our client passing away due to an unrelated medical condition, we settled the case for $250,000.

$200+ Million

Recovered for Clients

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Attorney Average Years in Practice

Our personal injury attorneys know that behind each accident victim is a personal tragedy, a story to be told, responsibility to be taken, wrongs to be righted, and closure needed.

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Other Types of Back and Neck Injuries

Accidents can cause a variety of other injuries to the back and neck. While other back and neck injuries may not result in paralysis like spinal cord injuries, they frequently cause debilitating pain and discomfort.

Some examples of common back and neck injuries from accidents include:

Fractured vertebrae

The force exerted on the spinal column in an accident can fracture the bones called vertebrae that make up the spine.

Disc injuries

The vertebrae are separated by soft, rubbery discs that cushion the bones and allow the backbone to bend. Trauma to the spine can cause discs to slip out of place or bulge (herniate), leading to pain, inflammation, and discomfort in the area.

Joint injuries

Spinal facet joints between the individual vertebrae can sustain damage from the blunt force of an accident. Joint injuries in the back frequently cause pain and stiffness, limiting the injured person’s mobility.

Whiplash

This injury to the neck and upper back typically results from an accident that causes the victim’s head to violently jerk back and forth like the cracking of a whip. Whiplash typically involves damage to the soft tissue in the back and neck. It can be painful, debilitating, and long-lasting.

Sprains, strains, and tears

Forces in an accident can sprain, strain, or even tear soft tissues in the neck and back, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often cause acute back pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms.

Spinal stenosis

This involves the narrowing of the cavity in the vertebral column the spinal cord passes through. Trauma from an accident can cause the vertebrae to shift or fracture, narrowing the passage for the spinal cord. Pressure on the nerves can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, pain, and other adverse effects.

Isthmic spondylolisthesis

This injury occurs when a vertebra slips out of alignment and onto the vertebra below it in the spinal column. The results can include muscle spasms, pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling.

Nerve damage

A pinched or compressed nerve in the neck or back can trigger severe pain, tingling, weakness, numbness, and other problems.

Common Causes of Spine, Back, and Neck Injuries in New Jersey

Many spinal cord, back, and neck injuries are the result of traumatic incidents, such as:

Motor vehicle accidents

The violent energy transfer in a traffic collision can damage the vertebrae, spinal cord, muscles, tendons, nerves, and surrounding structures.

Workplace accidents

When workers do not receive proper safety equipment or training, they can suffer neck, back, and spinal cord injuries from falls or other workplace accidents.

Recreational accidents

High-impact activities such as football, skateboarding, and skiing can result in neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage.

Unsafe products

Defective car parts, power tools, and even dangerous drugs can directly or indirectly contribute to serious spinal cord injuries and injuries to the back and neck.

Unsafe premises

When property owners fail to keep their premises safe, visitors can suffer SCIs and neck and back injuries due to slip-and-falls, animal attacks, or acts of violence.

Nursing home neglect or abuse

Nursing home residents can sustain injuries to the neck, back, and spinal cord if they are left to walk on unsafe floors, bathe unattended, or fall out of bed.

Who Could Be Liable for a Spinal Cord, Back, or Neck Injury?

Any party whose negligent actions or inaction contributed to an injury could be held liable in a subsequent insurance claim or lawsuit. Common examples of responsible parties in neck, back, and spinal cord injury cases include:

Careless or otherwise negligent drivers or road users who contribute to a traffic accident
Property owners who neglect to keep their premises safe and secure
Dog owners who fail to keep their pets adequately confined or restrained
Nursing home staff who participate in or allow resident abuse or neglect
Negligent manufacturers and retailers who design, assemble, or sell defective products

Treatment for Patients with Spinal Cord Damage and Other Back and Neck Injuries

Medical professionals often recommend the following treatments options to improve function, relieve pain, and prevent additional trauma:

Surgery to remove bone fragments, repair herniated discs, and stabilize the spine
Bed rest, with or without immobilization supports, to prevent further injury
Therapeutic traction to stretch or realign the spine and relieve spinal pain
Physical therapy to improve muscle function and rebuild fine motor control

Calculating Losses and Potential Compensation for Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries

No two cases are alike, so it’s impossible to predict precisely how much money will compensate you. The following factors could affect the amount of compensation available to you:

The cost of reasonable and necessary medical care to treat the back, neck, or spinal cord injury
How long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
How the injury impacts your ability to work and live independently
The impact the injury has on you psychologically and emotionally
Whether your actions contributed to the accident in any way
The amount of insurance coverage available to pay for your losses

Why You Need a New Jersey Spinal Cord, Back, and Neck Injury Attorney to Take on Insurers

Spinal cord, neck, and back injury cases are among the most serious matters we handle at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman. Even a relatively minor SCI can result in physical limitations and chronic pain that last a lifetime. As a result, SCI patients and patients with other neck and back injuries typically require costly medical care.

The complex and costly nature of these claims means that at-fault parties and their insurers have an incentive to deny responsibility and refuse to offer a fair settlement. That’s why it’s always a good idea to hire an experienced New Jersey neck, back, and spinal cord injury lawyer who can help you by:

Conducting a thorough investigation into the incident that led to your injury
Identifying and preserving evidence to support your claim or lawsuit
Communicating with insurance providers and other third parties on your behalf
Negotiating aggressively to maximize the compensation you receive
Representing you in court, if the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair and just amount

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, we do not charge you any fees upfront to start work on your personal injury case. We will review your case for free, with no obligation to you. If we believe you have a claim for compensation, we will do all the legal legwork with no out-of-pocket cost to you. When we recover compensation for you, our fee then comes as a percentage of that. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.

Our New Jersey Neck, Spine, and Back Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Listen

If you have suffered a spinal cord, neck, or back injury due to a motor vehicle collision, slip-and-fall, or other traumatic incident, reach out to the trusted New Jersey injury attorneys at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman. We can answer your questions and evaluate your case during a free initial case review.