Skip to main content
New Jersey Criminal Defense
Spinal Cord Injuries
New Jersey criminal defense attorneys with more than 20 years of combined prosecution experience.
Call Today: 856-399-0089
YouTube video
Award-Winning Criminal Law Attorneys
  • justia lawyer rating 10
  • 2024 MH Award
  • national top 100 trial lawyers
  • US Jersey
  • Mercer County
  • Gloucester County
  • Camden County
  • Burlington County
  • Camden County Bar

Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis in New Jersey

Key Takeaways

  • Trial-built strategy = stronger settlements: The firm builds SCI cases for trial, which signals risk to insurers and helps avoid low offers; free consultations available.
  • Full damages pursued: Medical bills (past/future), lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, consortium, permanent disability—and punitive damages in egregious cases.
  • Real-world cost modeling: They account for surgeries, hospitalization, rehab/therapy, mobility equipment & home mods, in-home care, and long-term wage loss and quality-of-life impact.
  • Experienced litigators with leverage: Former prosecutors now trial lawyers who investigate thoroughly and retain top medical/economic experts to value lifetime needs.
  • Clear next steps after an SCI: Get care, document the scene, preserve records, don’t speak to adjusters alone, and contact an NJ spinal cord injury lawyer promptly.
Spinal Cord Injury

Experienced Trial Attorneys Fighting for Maximum Compensation

Few injuries are as devastating and life-altering as a spinal cord injury. When the spinal cord is damaged, victims often face partial or total paralysis, loss of mobility, chronic pain, and the inability to return to their prior way of life. For families, this type of injury doesn’t just mean medical bills — it means lifelong care, loss of income, and emotional devastation.

At Lackey & Miller, LLC, we understand the catastrophic nature of spinal cord injuries and the profound effect they have on victims and their loved ones. As experienced litigators and trial attorneys, we don’t just settle cases quickly — we build them for trial. Insurance companies know which firms are willing to fight in court, and our reputation as tough trial lawyers means our clients are taken seriously from the start.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury or paralysis due to an accident in New Jersey, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when the bundle of nerves that run down the back is damaged, disrupting the brain’s ability to communicate with the body. These injuries may result in:

  • Paraplegia – paralysis of the lower body
  • Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia) – paralysis of all four limbs and torso
  • Partial Paralysis – loss of function or sensation in specific areas
  • Chronic Pain and Mobility Issues – even without total paralysis, victims may suffer lifelong impairments

Spinal injuries are classified as either “complete” (total loss of function below the injury site) or “incomplete” (partial function or sensation remains). In either case, the medical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in New Jersey

Spinal cord injuries often result from sudden, forceful impacts or unsafe conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents – Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and truck collisions are leading causes of spinal cord damage.
  • Falls – Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents, particularly from heights, often lead to severe back and spinal injuries.
  • Workplace and Construction Accidents – Falls from scaffolds, falling objects, or heavy equipment accidents are common in construction-related spinal injury cases.
  • Sports and Recreation Accidents – Football, diving, skiing, and other activities can result in catastrophic spinal cord damage.
  • Acts of Violence – Gunshot wounds, assaults, and other violent acts may leave victims permanently paralyzed.
  • Medical Malpractice – Surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or delayed treatment can cause spinal cord damage that could have been prevented.

The Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive medical conditions to treat and manage over a lifetime. Victims and their families often face:

  • Emergency Medical Care & Surgeries
  • Extended Hospitalization & Rehabilitation
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Wheelchairs, Medical Equipment, and Home Modifications
  • Ongoing In-Home Nursing or Caregiving
  • Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

In addition to these financial costs, victims experience profound emotional losses — loss of independence, loss of hobbies, strain on relationships, and reduced quality of life.

Compensation Available for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

When a spinal cord injury is caused by someone else’s negligence — whether a careless driver, unsafe property, or a reckless employer — the law provides a way to recover damages. In New Jersey, spinal cord injury victims may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical Expenses – past, present, and future care
  • Lost Income and Loss of Future Earning Capacity
  • Pain and Suffering – physical pain and emotional distress
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life – inability to participate in activities you once loved
  • Loss of Consortium – impact on relationships with a spouse or partner
  • Permanent Disability or Disfigurement

If the injury resulted from particularly reckless or intentional behavior, punitive damages may also be available.

Why You Need an Experienced Trial Attorney

Insurance companies know that spinal cord injury claims involve massive potential payouts. Their goal is to minimize what they pay, often by denying responsibility, undervaluing future care needs, or pressuring victims into low settlements.

At Lackey & Miller, LLC, we have decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom — as former prosecutors and now as personal injury trial lawyers. We understand how to investigate complex injury claims, retain top medical and economic experts, and present cases effectively to a jury. Our willingness to take cases to trial gives us leverage in settlement negotiations and ensures our clients are not pressured into accepting less than they deserve.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury in New Jersey

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury:

  • Get Immediate Medical Care – Your health and safety come first.
  • Document the Accident – Save photos, witness names, and accident reports.
  • Preserve Evidence – Keep medical records, employment information, and correspondence with insurance companies.
  • Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone – Insurance companies may try to get you to admit fault or accept a low offer.
  • Contact a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer – The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case will be.

Call Lackey & Miller, LLC – New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

A spinal cord injury changes everything. You need a law firm that understands the lifelong impact of paralysis and catastrophic back injuries — and knows how to fight for the compensation you and your family need.

At Lackey & Miller, LLC, we stand with spinal cord injury victims across New Jersey. Our trial-tested attorneys will hold negligent parties accountable and fight aggressively for your future.

Call us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights and secure the justice you deserve.

 

Jeremy Lackey

Written By Jeremy Lackey

Partner

Jeremy Lackey is a seasoned criminal attorney who served as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and as a Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, before co-founding the firm Lackey & Miller, LLC.

Recent Resource Articles

Jeremy Lackey and Derek Miller share their wealth of knowledge through our free blog.

    Don’t Fight Alone

    We’re Here to Help!
    With over 20 years of combined service, our team at Lackey & Miller, LLC has encountered situations similar to yours, and we possess the knowledge to adeptly guide you through the challenges you are facing.
    YouTube video