Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

The pain, the uncertainty about your future, the burden of your medical bills, and possibly the terrifying loss of sensation and mobility--these are the extreme challenges that many people must confront every day after suffering a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. 

If you or a loved one has suffered such a life-altering injury, you need someone in your corner to fight tirelessly for the justice and compensation you need, not to just get by, but to live a life of dignity and promise. 

At Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, P.C., our Albuquerque spinal cord injury lawyers have the experience and dedication to help you rebuild your life. Whether you're grappling with complex medical decisions or are overwhelmed by financial strain, we are here to guide you through every step of the process.

Serving clients in Albuquerque and Los Lunas, we strive to shield you from the stress of legal battles while you focus on recovery. You have a partner in us. Reach out to us today for the support and representation you need.

Table of Contents

• Why Trust Gauthier & Maier Law Firm With Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
• Life After a Spinal Cord Injury
• Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Albuquerque
• Recognizing the Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
• Challenges and Complications From Spinal Cord Injuries
• Establishing Negligence in Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Cases
• Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
• An Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Make a Difference
• Protecting the Value of Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim
• Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Cases
• Call Gauthier & Maier Today for Help

Why Trust Gauthier & Maier Law Firm With Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?

When you’ve endured a spinal cord injury, choosing the right legal team can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case. At Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, we offer more than legal services. We offer compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to helping you restore your life after a devastating accident. Here’s why we stand out:

Proven Results

Our track record speaks volumes about the lengths we go to for our clients. With multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $36 million jury verdict, our firm has consistently delivered results that allow clients to rebuild their lives.

Experience That Matters

Our attorneys, Chance Gauthier and Shane Maier, are former insurance defense lawyers. This background gives us a unique perspective on how insurance companies operate, enabling us to anticipate their tactics and push back effectively on your behalf.

Personalized Support

At Gauthier & Maier, you’re not just another case number. You’ll work directly with your attorney from day one. We take the time to understand your story, tailoring our strategies to meet your unique needs.

Commitment to Justice

We fight aggressively to hold negligent parties accountable, whether they’re large corporations, government institutions, or powerful insurance companies. Our unwavering advocacy ensures you’ll receive the justice you deserve.

Life After a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is among the most devastating injuries someone can experience. The spinal cord acts as the body’s communication highway, transmitting messages between your brain and body. Any damage to this delicate structure can impact motor function, mobility, and sensation, leaving victims to face lifelong challenges.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), more than 18,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. every year. Survivors often grapple with immense physical and emotional pain, compounded by financial strain due to ongoing medical expenses and lost income.

Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Albuquerque

Accidents that result in spinal cord injuries are often sudden and unexpected, leaving victims with long-term, life-altering consequences. Knowing the common causes can help you understand your rights if someone else’s negligence played a role in your injury. Some of the most frequent causes include:

Car Accidents

Albuquerque’s busy streets and interstates are often the site of devastating collisions. Severe impacts can damage or sever the spinal cord, especially in high-speed accidents.

Truck Accidents

Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries in collisions. Even non-litigation cases require skilled negotiation to maximize your compensation.

Slips and Falls

From poorly maintained sidewalks to hazardous conditions in businesses, falls are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, especially among older adults.

Construction Accidents

Albuquerque is no stranger to construction activity. Workers face risks of falls, crush injuries, and other severe incidents that can lead to spinal cord damage.

Acts of Violence

Gunshot wounds and other violent acts are some of the less common, but equally devastating, causes of spinal cord injuries.

If your spinal cord injury was caused by any of these circumstances, you may have the right to pursue compensation.

Recognizing the Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Not all spinal cord injuries are the same, and the extent of the damage will depend on several factors, including the location and severity of the injury. Here’s an overview of the different types:

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the cord is fully severed, resulting in a total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site. This often leads to conditions like paraplegia (loss of movement in the lower body) or quadriplegia (loss of movement in both the upper and lower body).

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Incomplete injuries mean that some communication between the brain and body remains, allowing for a partial recovery of motor or sensory function. These injuries are highly variable, with outcomes depending on the specific areas affected.

Tetraplegia / Quadriplegia

This is one of the most severe forms of SCI, involving paralysis of both the upper and lower parts of the body. Victims with tetraplegia often require significant medical care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications to accommodate their needs.

Paraplegia

A spinal injury below the chest or waist can result in paraplegia, affecting movement and sensation in the legs. While individuals with paraplegia may regain some independence with the use of wheelchairs or mobility aids, the need for ongoing therapy and care often persists.

Spinal Cord Contusions

Bruising of the spinal cord, known as contusion, can cause swelling and temporary loss of function. While some recoveries are more favorable, others still face residual complications.

The care, support, and advocacy that your specific type of spinal cord injury requires play a central role in your claim for compensation. 

Challenges and Complications From Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries often lead to a cascade of complications that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Beyond the initial trauma, SCI victims may face months or even years of rehabilitation and secondary health issues. Knowing these complications can help you prepare for the road ahead and strengthen your compensation claim.

• Chronic pain
  Many spinal cord injury survivors endure persistent nerve pain near the injury site. This pain can disrupt daily activities and diminish quality of life.
• Loss of mobility
  Depending on the type and severity of the injury, victims may lose their ability to walk or move parts of their body, requiring the use of wheelchairs or mobility aids.
• Respiratory issues
  Damage to the spinal cord can interfere with your ability to breathe independently, especially if the injury is high on the spine. This often necessitates the use of ventilators or other medical interventions.
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction
  SCIs frequently disrupt bladder and bowel control, leading to incontinence and dependency on medical devices.
• Mental health challenges
  The emotional toll of dealing with such an injury cannot be overstated. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common among SCI victims and their families.
• Pressure sores
  Reduced mobility often increases the risk of developing pressure sores or ulcers, which require costly and ongoing medical care.
• Secondary complications
  Victims may also face a higher likelihood of infections and other serious health complications due to their weakened state.

A skilled Albuquerque spinal cord injury lawyer with Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, P.C. ensures these challenges are fully documented and factored into your claim. We fight to secure compensation that addresses not just your immediate needs but the lifelong impact of your injury on you and your family.

Establishing Negligence in Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Proving that someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injury forms the foundation of your case. Negligence is built on four key elements, which must be established for your claim to succeed.

1. Duty of care
   Every individual or entity has a duty to act responsibly to prevent harm to others. For example, a driver must follow road safety laws, or a property owner must keep their premises safe.
2. Breach of duty
   This occurs when someone fails in their responsibility. Did a driver run a red light? Did a business fail to fix broken stairs? These actions represent a breach.
3. Causation
   Your spinal cord injury lawyer must demonstrate that the individual’s breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury. For instance, if a speeding driver struck your car and the trauma resulted in your SCI, there’s clear causation.
4. Damages
   Finally, there must be measurable damages resulting from the injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, or emotional pain and suffering.

Our team of personal injury attorneys has extensive experience compiling evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with medical experts to establish all four elements. This forms the foundation of a compelling case that stands up to scrutiny.

Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Claims

New Mexico law recognizes that spinal cord injuries have both immediate and long-lasting effects on your life, and the compensation you obtain should fully reflect this reality.

Knowing what compensation is available and how to claim it is vital for your financial future.

Economic damages

These compensate for financial losses tied to the injury, such as:

• Current and future medical expenses, including surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation
• Lost income and decreased earning potential
• Costs associated with mobility aids, home modifications, and personal care

Non-economic damages

SCI victims also face profound non-financial challenges, which economic damages fail to cover. Non-economic damages aim to compensate for these hardships, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.

Punitive damages

If the responsible party’s negligence was particularly egregious or reckless, you might be awarded punitive damages. These are meant to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future.

Every spinal cord injury claim is unique, and the exact compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the facts of your case. Our Albuquerque spinal cord injury lawyers are committed to maximizing your financial recovery.

An Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Make a Difference

Seeing a spinal cord injury claim through from beginning to resolution is a challenging process. When your family’s future and your quality of life are on the line, you need a trusted spinal cord injury lawyer who knows how to fight for and secure maximum compensation.

 Here’s how working with an attorney can make a difference for you and your family:

• Handling all communication with insurance companies to prevent lowball offers or bad faith tactics.
• Gathering evidence, including police reports, medical records, and expert testimony.
• Organizing and valuing your claim to ensure no damages are overlooked.
• Negotiating aggressively on your behalf to secure the compensation you need and deserve.
• Providing support and guidance every step of the way, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Our experienced team is here to take the weight off your shoulders. We’ll handle the complexities of your case and advocate fiercely on your behalf.

Protecting the Value of Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim

After a spinal cord injury, your health and well-being come first. If you’re already receiving medical care, continue following your treatment plan carefully. If you haven’t yet seen a doctor, it’s vital to get evaluated as soon as possible, even if you feel okay. Prompt medical attention not only protects your well-being but also creates critical documentation of your injuries.

Many clients wonder if there is anything they can do to support their claim. Our Albuquerque spinal cord injury attorneys will do all the heavy lifting for you, but there are some steps to keep in mind that can protect the value of your claim and set you up for the best possible recovery. These measures include:

• Hire a lawyer (if you haven’t already)
  The sooner you retain legal representation, the better. An experienced Albuquerque spinal cord injury lawyer will take charge of your case, ensuring evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and insurance companies are prevented from minimizing your claim. A lawyer advocates for you, so you can focus on your recovery.
• Keep all medical appointments and follow treatments
  Always attend every medical visit and follow your doctor’s prescribed care plan. These steps not only aid in your recovery but also demonstrate your commitment to addressing your injuries. Missing appointments or not complying with treatment can give insurers a reason to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim they are.
• Document your experiences and daily challenges
  Start a written or video journal to capture your pain levels, emotional struggles, and the ways your injury impacts your life. This personal record provides powerful evidence of your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment in life.
• Preserve evidence from the incident
  Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any unsafe conditions that contributed to the incident can serve as crucial proof. Additionally, gather contact information from witnesses and keep records of any conversations about the incident.
• Avoid direct communication with insurance companies
  Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize your settlement by using anything you say against you. Don’t provide a statement or sign anything until you’ve consulted your attorney. Your lawyer will handle all communications on your behalf.
• Save all relevant documents
  Keep copies of medical records, bills, accident reports, and correspondence related to your injury. This documentation shows the extent of your expenses and aids in calculating the full value of your claim.

By taking these steps, you strengthen your claim, protect your legal rights, and improve your chances of achieving the financial support you need to move forward. Most importantly, remember that seeking legal guidance early on can make all the difference in securing a favorable outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Call Gauthier & Maier Today for Help

A spinal cord injury can feel like the end of everything you once knew. While we can’t undo the harm caused, we can fight to secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life after such a devastating event. At Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, we combine compassionate guidance with aggressive advocacy to help you move forward.

Call us today at (505) 226-0009 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you secure justice and full compensation so you can face the future once again with hope and confidence.