Spinal Cord
Injury Lawyer Serving
Missouri & Illinois
Or call (217) 214-4333 to speak with us today.
A Spinal Cord Injury Can Change Every Aspect of Your Life
A spinal cord injury can permanently affect nearly every part of your life. Victims often face emergency medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, lost income, and lifelong physical challenges. Depending on the severity of the injury, paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of independence may become daily realities.
If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, future care, pain and suffering, and other damages. Attorney Ryan Schuenke represents clients throughout Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois who have suffered life-changing spinal cord injuries.
Ryan Schuenke represents clients with spinal cord injury claims throughout Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury occurs when damage to the spinal cord interrupts communication between the brain and the body. Depending on where the injury occurs and how severe it is, victims may experience partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, or loss of bladder and bowel control.
Some spinal cord injuries heal over time, while others result in permanent disabilities requiring lifelong medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Key Facts About Spinal Cord Injuries
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Every spinal cord injury is unique. The long-term effects depend on the location and severity of the injury and may range from temporary impairment to permanent paralysis.
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Recovery often requires long-term medical care. Many people need ongoing rehabilitation, therapy, assistive technology, and home or vehicle modifications.
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Compensation may include both current and future losses. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, future medical care, and pain and suffering.
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Early legal guidance can make a difference. Prompt action can help preserve evidence, protect your legal rights, and allow an attorney to begin investigating your case.
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Attorney Ryan Schuenke has represented injury victims for more than 24 years. He serves clients throughout Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois, offers free consultations, and you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are often caused by preventable accidents involving negligence. Some of the most common causes include:
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Truck Accidents – The force of a collision with a commercial truck can cause devastating spinal cord injuries and permanent paralysis.
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Car Accidents – High-speed crashes, rollovers, and side-impact collisions are leading causes of spinal cord trauma.
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Motorcycle Accidents – Riders have little protection, making them especially vulnerable to severe spinal injuries.
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Construction Accidents – Falls, collapsing structures, and heavy equipment accidents frequently result in spinal cord damage.
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Farm Accidents – Tractor rollovers, livestock incidents, and machinery accidents can cause catastrophic spinal injuries.
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Falls – Falls from ladders, roofs, stairs, or unsafe property conditions are a common cause of serious spinal injuries.
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Defective Products – Faulty vehicles, equipment, or safety products can contribute to spinal cord injuries.
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Medical Negligence – Surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, or other medical mistakes can sometimes result in spinal cord damage.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as either complete or incomplete, depending on whether the spinal cord has completely lost function below the injury.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
A complete spinal cord injury causes a total loss of movement and sensation below the level of the injury. These injuries often result in permanent paralysis and require lifelong medical care.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
An incomplete spinal cord injury allows some movement or sensation below the injury. Recovery varies depending on the severity and location of the injury.
Common Conditions
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Paraplegia
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Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)
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Partial Paralysis
Compensation Available After a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury often results in significant financial and personal losses that can continue for years or even a lifetime. If another person's negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both your current and future damages.
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Medical expenses
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Future medical treatment
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Rehabilitation and therapy
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Lost wages
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Loss of future earning capacity
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Pain and suffering
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Home and vehicle modifications
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Wheelchairs and assistive technology
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Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Choose Ryan Schuenke?
Choosing the right attorney after a spinal cord injury can make a significant difference in your case. Attorney Ryan Schuenke has represented injury victims for more than 24 years and understands the lifelong impact these catastrophic injuries can have on individuals and their families.
Ryan personally works with clients throughout Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois. He offers free consultations, keeps clients informed throughout the process, and there are no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Related Practice Areas
How much is a spinal cord injury case worth?
Every spinal cord injury case is different, but severe spinal cord injuries often involve substantial compensation because of lifelong medical care, lost income, and permanent disabilities.
The value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and how the injury affects your daily life. Attorney Ryan Schuenke can evaluate your case during a free consultation.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit?
The deadline to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit depends on the laws of the state where the injury occurred.
Waiting too long could prevent you from recovering compensation. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help protect your legal rights and preserve important evidence.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Possibly. In many cases, injured victims may still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for an accident.
Every case is different, and the amount of compensation available may be reduced depending on the facts and the applicable law.
What should I do after suffering a spinal cord injury?
Seek immediate medical care, follow your doctors' recommendations, and avoid discussing your case with the insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Preserving medical records, photographs, witness information, and other evidence can help strengthen your claim.
How much does it cost to hire Ryan Schuenke?
There is no cost to speak with Attorney Ryan Schuenke about your case.
Schuenke Law Firm offers free consultations, and you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
Speak With a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
A spinal cord injury can have lifelong physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you or someone you love was injured because of another person's negligence, Attorney Ryan Schuenke is here to help. Contact Schuenke Law Firm today to request your free consultation and learn about your legal options.
Attorney Ryan Schuenke proudly represents spinal cord injury victims throughout Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois, including Hannibal, Palmyra, Quincy, Kirksville, Macomb, Pittsfield, Canton, and the surrounding communities. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else's negligence, contact us today for a free consultation.
Or call (217) 214-4333 to speak with us today.