Here in Minnesota, we know how quickly life can change—especially after a serious injury like damage to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries (SCI) aren’t just physically and emotionally overwhelming—they often come with a mountain of medical bills, long-term treatments, and a lot of uncertainty about the future.

If your injury happened because someone else was careless, it’s not just frustrating—it’s infuriating. And trying to figure out your legal options or whether a settlement offer is even fair while you’re still in pain? That’s too much for anyone to handle alone.

At TSR Injury Law, our Bloomington team is here to help you through it. We fight hard for injured Minnesotans, and while many cases settle, we never hesitate to take things to court if that’s what’s needed to get you the full compensation you deserve.

Call TSR Injury Law today for a free, no-pressure case review: (612) TSR-TIME.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury encompasses a range of medical conditions following damage to any part of the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Victims may suffer partial or full loss of function, mobility, or sensation to the area of the spine that was injured. These injuries vary widely in severity and can affect any portion of the spinal column from the neck to the lower back.

• Complete Spinal Cord Injuries: When a victim sustains a complete spinal cord injury, they have total loss of function below the injury site. The victim loses sensation and voluntary movement in the affected areas.
• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries: Victims with incomplete spinal cord injuries may retain some degree of function below the injury location, with varying levels of mobility and sensation remaining intact.
• Vertebral Fractures: Occurs when the bones protecting the spinal cord break during the intense force of a crash, potentially causing instability or spinal cord compression.
• Herniated Discs: This painful injury occurs when the cushioning discs between vertebrae rupture or shift due to crash impact. Victims may experience excruciating pain and neurological symptoms due to the vertebrae pressing against nerves.
• Spinal Contusions: Involves bruising of the spinal cord tissue from crash forces, creating temporary or permanent neurological effects depending on severity.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Trauma-Related Spinal Cord Injuries?

Car crashes undoubtedly are responsible for the majority of spinal cord injuries in this country. Although slip and falls, workplace incidents, and sports activities also cause these life-altering injuries.

Each type of incident presents unique legal considerations and potential liability issues that can impact the outcome of a case.

Car Crashes

Motor vehicle crashes generate powerful acceleration and deceleration forces. The severity and extent of a trauma-related spinal cord injury depends on the type of crash, as well as the force of impact and the point of impact.

Certain types of vehicle crashes create dangerous conditions where spinal cord injuries are more likely to occur, due to the specific forces and impacts involved.

• Rear-End Collisions: The sudden impact from the rear of a vehicle often causes whiplash. While many insurance companies try to minimize these injuries, they can cause significant damage to the cervical spine when the head violently snaps forward and backward suddenly.
• Rollover Crashes: Occupants involved in a rollover crash are subjected to multiple impact points and crushing forces. The violent and forceful nature of these crashes can fracture vertebrae or directly injure the spinal cord.
• Side-Impact Collisions: The impact to the side of a vehicle transfers tremendous force to occupants’ spines from lateral directions to a part of a vehicle that offers the least structural protection.
• High-Speed Crashes: The extreme forces generated in a high-speed crash can compress, stretch, or twist the spinal column beyond its natural tolerance.
• Ejection From Vehicles: When drivers or passengers get ejected, there are no protective barriers. Crash victims are far more vulnerable to direct spinal trauma upon impact with other objects or surfaces.

These types of crashes demonstrate why spinal cord injuries from vehicle collisions are often life-altering. Victims with spinal cord injuries can greatly benefit from having an experienced legal team managing their claim to protect their interests and secure maximum compensation.

TSR Injury Law is prepared to fight for the compensation you need and deserve to help you move forward after a spinal cord injury caused by another party’s negligence.

Slip and Fall Incidents

Falls are another common cause of trauma-related spinal cord injuries, particularly during Minnesota’s harsh winter months when ice and snow create hazardous walking conditions.

Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises may face liability when visitors suffer spinal trauma from slipping on icy sidewalks, wet floors, or poorly maintained stairways. Construction sites are especially at a high risk of workers falling from scaffolding and other high places. Retail establishments and residential properties all have unique fall risks that can result in serious spinal injuries if the owner has failed to take reasonable measures to resolve or remove hazards.

Workplace Injuries

Industrial and construction environments pose substantial risks for spinal cord damage, but even office staff can suffer serious slip-and-fall injuries in the workplace and sustain damage to their spinal cord.

Heavy machinery incidents, falling objects, and equipment malfunctions all create crushing forces that could fracture someone’s vertebrae or compress the spinal cord. Workers in high-risk occupations such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation have an especially high risk of these injuries.

Depending on the circumstances that led to the injury, people who sustain life-altering spinal injuries on the job may qualify for both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party liability claims.

Sports and Recreational Activities

Sports always pose some risk for athletes. Contact sports, especially football and hockey, can lead to spinal cord injuries through high-impact collisions, awkward landings, or equipment failures. Diving, skiing, and gymnastics also carry potential for spinal trauma.

When inadequate safety measures, defective equipment, or negligent supervision contribute to these injuries, victims may have legal recourse beyond their standard insurance coverage.

Can I Sue for a Spinal Cord Injury in Minnesota?

Minnesota law provides multiple legal pathways for spinal cord injury victims to pursue compensation beyond basic insurance coverage, depending on the circumstances surrounding your injury. The availability of legal action depends on factors such as who caused your injury, where it occurred, and what type of insurance applies to your situation.

These are some of the potential legal options that may be available to cover your extensive medical costs and ongoing expenses related to this life-altering injury.

Minneapolis Motor Vehicle Claims

Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system provides the first layer of coverage for spinal cord injuries from vehicle crashes. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, up to the limits, cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. Spinal cord injuries would also likely meet Minnesota’s serious injury threshold, which allows victims to pursue additional compensation in a third-party liability claim.

Premises Liability Cases

Property owners may be held liable if dangerous conditions on their premises cause spinal cord injuries through slip and fall incidents or other hazards. Minnesota law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. Any failure to reasonably address known dangers like icy walkways, poorly maintained stairs, or inadequate lighting can result in legal responsibility for resulting injuries. These cases often involve thorough investigation of property maintenance records and safety protocols.

Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims

Those who sustain spinal cord injuries on the job typically qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of fault. Workers’ comp provides coverage for medical expenses and partial wage replacement. However, if third parties such as equipment manufacturers, contractors, or other companies contribute to your injury, additional claims may be possible beyond workers’ compensation. These dual-track approaches can significantly increase total compensation available for catastrophic workplace spinal injuries.

Product Liability Lawsuits

Defective products that cause spinal cord injuries may result in claims against manufacturers, distributors, or retailers under Minnesota product liability law. Sports equipment failures, defective medical devices, faulty safety equipment, or vehicle design defects are all potential contributors to spinal trauma. These cases focus on whether products contain design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate safety warnings.

What if I Am Partially at Fault for a Car Crash That Caused My Minneapolis Spinal Cord Injury?

Minnesota operates under a modified comparative fault system. This means even if you are partly to blame for the crash that injured you, it may still be possible for you to recover some compensation. However, you must not be more than 50 percent at fault for the crash.

If you are assessed with a percentage of fault for the collision that resulted in your spinal cord injury, any compensation awarded to you would be reduced.

At TSR Injury Law, we fight efforts from the insurance company to unfairly assess fault against our clients. When we manage your claim, we help you avoid common mistakes that could make it easier for insurers to shift blame.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for a Spinal Cord Injury in Minnesota?

Compensation for a spinal cord injury varies widely because it is based on several unique factors related to your specific injury and the ongoing impact it has on your life.

Here are some types of compensation you may be eligible to recover for your losses:

• Medical Costs: Spinal cord injuries result in excessive financial costs for victims and their families. Tangible costs covered in your claim may include the emergency care you received, along with diagnostic testing and initial treatment. Future medical costs you may recover include surgeries to aid your recovery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. If you need home modifications or mobility assistive devices, those costs may be included as well. Medication costs for pain management, both prescribed and over the counter, may also be included, along with your projected future medical needs.

• Loss of Income: Income recovery takes into consideration the wages you lost during your recovery. Permanent physical limitations that reduce your future earning capacity will also be considered.
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: If your injuries are severe enough that you need modifications to your home and vehicle to accommodate mobility challenges, these costs may also be recoverable as part of your claim.
• Pain and Suffering: These damages acknowledge your ongoing physical pain and emotional distress associated with your spinal cord injury. Pain and suffering is subjective, which makes it harder to prove. However, we can guide you on how this evidence is established, such as keeping a daily pain journal, to strengthen your case.
• Loss of Quality of Life: This compensation recognizes how spinal injuries fundamentally alter your life, including your independence and ability to engage in previously enjoyed activities and relationships.

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, spinal cord injury victims generally have six years from the date of a motor vehicle collision to file a lawsuit. However, there are certain circumstances that may cut that time shorter – or, in some cases, extend it. Here are a few examples:

• Minor Crash Victims: Underage crash victims have until one year past their 18th birthday to file a claim.
• Wrongful Death Claims: If the spinal cord injury results in the victim’s death, surviving family members have three years from when their loved one died to bring a file a wrongful death claim in Minnesota on behalf of their loved one.
• Medical Malpractice Claims: Victims who sustained spinal cord injuries due to medical malpractice in Minnesota must file their lawsuits within four years of the injury.

This is not an exhaustive list. Additional exceptions may impact your filing deadline, which is why it is a good idea to consult with an attorney sooner, rather than later. Building a strong case, especially for a spinal cord injury, takes time. The longer you wait to file, the harder it is to get evidence, especially if you are relying on the memory of a witness.

How Do Insurance Companies Handle Spinal Cord Injury Claims?

Insurance companies employ specific tactics when managing high-value spinal cord injury claims, for the simple reason that these cases often involve large potential damages. The catastrophic nature of these injuries prompts insurers to attempt tried and true strategies to minimize their financial exposure.

Assign Specialized Claims Adjusters

Insurance companies may assign specialized catastrophic injury adjusters to work closely with attorneys. These adjusters treat spinal cord injury claims as litigation cases rather than routine settlement negotiations due to the high stakes involved.

Requesting Independent Medical Examinations

Insurers frequently request Independent Medical Examinations (IME) with doctors who specialize in minimizing spinal cord injury severity or attributing limitations to pre-existing conditions. They may seek multiple medical opinions to create doubt about the severity or permanence of spinal cord injuries.

Surveillance and Investigation

Insurance companies may go as far as employing surveillance teams to monitor claimants’ activities, looking for visible evidence of physical movement that contradicts the victim’s reported limitations.

Delay and Financial Pressure Strategies

Insurers may do what they can to delay settlement negotiations, knowing that mounting medical bills and lost income creates financial pressure on injured parties. This strategy can tempt victims to accept lower settlements due to immediate financial needs and extraordinary ongoing expenses.

Causation Challenges

Insurers often try to look for evidence that casts doubt on the link between the incident and the spinal cord injury, particularly if the victim waited to seek treatment. Victims who experienced a delayed onset of symptoms or who have pre-existing spine problems may also have their injuries called into question. They may dispute the necessity of expensive treatments like adaptive equipment, home modifications, or long-term care services essential for quality of life.

What Makes a Strong Spinal Cord Injury Case in Minnesota?

A strong spinal cord injury case contains several key elements. These key elements include:

• Evidence of clear liability to establish the other party’s negligent actions leading up to the incident that injured you.
• Medical documentation establishing a direct link between your spinal cord injuries and the crash that caused them.
• Expert testimony from medical specialists, life care planners, and economic analysts to help quantify the full lifetime impact of permanent spinal cord injuries.
• Detailed documentation of all your injury-related expenses is vital is it creates a tangible and comprehensive record of the financial burden resulting from the crash.
• Compelling evidence of impact to your daily life through before-and-after testimony from family, friends, and even work colleagues.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Claims

Avoiding certain pitfalls can protect the value of your spinal cord injury claim throughout the legal process.

• Waiting to Seek Medical Treatment: Not seeking medical care right away is a huge mistake. It leaves time gaps in your medical records that insurance companies will exploit to dispute the severity or cause of your injuries.
• Agreeing to a Recorded Statement: Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company without legal representation often leads to misinterpreted comments that damage your claim.
• Accepting an Early Offer to Settle: Accepting early settlement offers before understanding the full extent of your injuries can cost you hundreds of thousands after a spinal cord injury. Any additional costs not included in that settlement would have to come out of your own pocket.
• Posting to Social Media: Anything posted to social media can be taken out of context to challenge your reported limitations, even when such activities cause significant pain.
• Ignoring Your Doctor’s Care Plan: Failing to follow your physician’s medical advice gives insurers reason to argue that your own actions worsened your condition rather than the crash itself.

What Should I Do Right After a Spinal Cord Injury in Minnesota?

Taking specific actions immediately following a crash can protect both your health and legal rights when dealing with spinal injuries.

• Call Police: Report the incident to police or complete an accident report to create an official record documenting the incident and preserving critical details about what happened.
• Seek Medical Help Immediately: This step is vital, even if you believe your symptoms seem mild. Spinal cord injuries can worsen rapidly without prompt assessment or treatment.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: You will need to notify your insurer about the incident that injured you, but do not provide detailed statements or accept blame.
• Consult TSR Injury Law: You can contact our law offices 24/7 to request a free case review. We will get back to you quickly to discuss your situation and potential legal options. We can also communicate with your insurance company on your behalf.

Call TSR Injury Law After a Minneapolis Spinal Cord Injury

When you work with TSR Injury Law, you benefit from a highly skilled and compassionate legal team working to build your case. We will thoroughly investigate your crash, consult with medical and economic specialists about your specific injuries, and develop a comprehensive strategy to pursue maximum compensation. We maintain regular communication throughout your case, explaining each development in clear terms, and we are always available to answer your questions or address any concerns you may have.

Contact our law office today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your spinal cord injury claim. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you determine the best path forward during this challenging time.

There are no upfront costs to hire TSR Injury Law. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you.

Ready to take the next step? Call TSR Injury Law today! (612) TSR-TIME