---
title: Has a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Told You No?
description: Seeking out a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney takes time, courage, and attention to detail, so being turned away from one attorney can be profoundly demoralizing.
image: http://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/img/Has_a_Spinal_Cord_Injury_Lawyer_Told_You_No_Blog_IMG.png
---
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# Has a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Told You No?
Author: [Kristen Collins, Esq.](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)
Publish Date: August 03, 2016
A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down. You may wonder about how you'll complete even the most mundane everyday tasks, how you'll keep working, and whether you'll ever feel like yourself again. Seeking out a [Spinal Cord Injury Attorney](http://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/575040/fc58c095-0ab9-462a-9c99-2a36373e26e3) takes time, courage, and attention to detail, so being turned away from one attorney can be profoundly demoralizing.
But the law is a subjective endeavor. That's why courts routinely disagree about what the law says, and why even highly skilled lawyers may disagree about whether a case has merit. If your case has been rejected, consider seeking a second opinion, since there is no need to give up based on the word of one person.
Some common reasons personal injury lawyers reject spinal cord injury cases include:
## **Inexperience **
Spinal cord injuries are among the most challenging [types of personal injury ](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-personal-injury-claims)cases to litigate. They require a lawyer to comb through thousands of documents, and may involve multiple claims, including claims against doctors for medical malpractice, businesses for providing unsafe conditions, or individuals for contributing to your injuries.
Your lawyer must determine who is liable, assess whether that person is able to pay a judgment, review insurance policies, and peruse recent case law. He or she will certainly have to hire expert witnesses, and will need enough medical knowledge to accurately estimate your lifetime medical expenses.
Spinal injury cases are not for inexperienced lawyers. Many personal injury lawyers turn these cases away because they know they have inadequate experience. If this is the case, your attorney should tell you so, though not all do. Your lawyer's inexperience may also convince him or her that your case has no merit, even when it does. Even a lawyer who has litigated a handful of spinal cord injury claims may not have the experience necessary to properly assess your case, so you should always seek a second opinion if the first lawyer you speak to turns you away.
## **Concerns About the Value of the Case **
Litigating a spinal cord injury case is very expensive, involving reams of documents, endless depositions, and myriad of expert witnesses. To be worth your attorney's time and attention, your case must be worth quite a bit of money. If you only stand to recover a few thousand dollars, or if the policy limits on the responsible party's insurance will not fully compensate your loss, a lawyer may turn your case away. After all, personal injury cases are contingency cases, which means that a case that produces a low award will also produce limited attorney's fees.
Of course, attorneys can and do underestimate the value of cases, and a skilled [spinal cord injury lawyer](http://www.swoperodante.com/) may be able to find ways to get around insurance issues and other restrictions. If the first lawyer you speak to indicates your case isn't worth much, double-check this opinion with another attorney before giving up.
## **Costs of Litigation **
Just as it makes no sense for a lawyer to take on a case of limited value, it is also a problem for your lawyer to take your case if the costs of litigation exceed the value of the case. If your case involves lots of esoteric medical details, numerous expert witnesses, and lots of travel time, but has only limited value, your attorney might turn your case away. Likewise, even if you have a high value case, a lawyer who does not have have the funds to cover your case might turn you away.
## **Challenging Legal Hurdles **
Legal precedent on important issues like jurisdiction and liability, can also determine whether your case ever sees the inside of a court room. Your attorney will have to sort through recent legal decisions to determine what is and is not relevant to your case. And even a case that seems like a clear winner may not be if a recent opinion limits your ability to seek damages. If an attorney tells you that legal issues preclude bringing a claim, seek a second opinion, since even the most skilled lawyers can misread precedent.
## **Time Constraints **
The [statute of limitations](https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/infographic-the-complete-timeline-for-a-personal-injury-claim) means that you cannot bring a claim years after your injuries and the statute of limitations is different in each case. If you are outside this time frame, your lawyer will have to decline your case. And if you are close to the statute, your lawyer might worry that it will be impossible to file your case in time.
Time constraints matter, so it's important to [consult with a lawyer as quickly as possible](https://www.spinalcord.com/your-guide-to-knowing-when-to-get-a-lawyer). Your lawyer likely has many other cases, so it's unfair to expect that he or she will immediately be able to drop everything and file your case. But if time constraints have caused your case to be declined, seek a second opinion, and do so quickly. Time is of the essence with spinal cord injury cases, it would be tragic to be unable to recover damages solely because you missed a filing deadline.
## **Personal Issues**
Lawyers are people just like the rest of us. They have families and histories that may make certain cases more difficult for them to litigate than others. Your lawyer might turn your case away if it brings up bad memories, causes undue worry about his or her family, or otherwise triggers the myriad personal idiosyncrasies we all have. By law, an attorney must tell you if they have a conflict of interest in your case and if your case is turned away for personal reasons, since this is a good reason to seek another lawyer, and does not suggest that your case is unwinnable or has no value.
## **Get a Second Opinion**
You should seek out a second opinion if you have been turned away by a spinal cord injury attorney for any of the above reasons. Like any professional, attorneys are still human and their opinion is just that -- an opinion. It can be disheartening to hear that an attorney does not want your case but don’t give up just yet.
Do you have questions about the legal factors of your case? We are here to answer your questions anytime.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/575040/a2b12cbb-11ba-43c8-9935-baa8cc768ee9)
**Topics:** Spinal Cord Injury, Injury Support & Groups, Legal
### Stay Updated on Advancements On Traumatic Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries
About the Author
#### Kristen Collins, Esq.
Kristen Collins is a former attorney at Swope, Rodante PA. She has a history of supporting causes that directly impact the SCI community and those with disabilities. During law school, Ms. Collins clerked with a prestigious law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and the ACLU of Georgia. While clerking she advocated for those with disabilities and strived to help those who needed it most. Recently she has been actively involved in Push Nation, an annual Florida event designed to bring together and empower all members of the paralysis community.
[Learn More About the Author](http://www.swoperodante.com)
**Leave a Comment**
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/575040/dc8bc979-ba55-463a-9400-f92cbdebcb1a)
true
### Spinal Cord Injury
- [Types of Spinal Cord Injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Secondary Complications](https://www.spinalcord.com/secondary-complications-after-sci-spinal-cord-injury)
- [Causes](https://www.spinalcord.com/signs-symptoms-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Symptoms](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Prognosis](https://www.spinalcord.com/prognosis-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Legal Help](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-legal-help-get-a-lawyer)
### Brain Injury
- [Types of Brain Injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-traumatic-brain-injury)
- [Causes](https://www.spinalcord.com/causes-of-traumatic-and-acquired-brain-injuries)
- [Symptoms](https://www.spinalcord.com/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi-symptoms)
- [Prognosis](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-prognosis-for-tbi-abi)
- [Legal Help](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-legal-help-get-a-lawyer)
### Finding Treatment
- [Physician Directory](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-and-spinal-cord-injury-physician-directory)
- [Rehabilitation Directory](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-hospitals-rehabilitation-directory)
- [Technology Advancements](https://www.spinalcord.com/sci-technology-advancements)
- [Prevention](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-prevention)
### Legal Options
- [Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer)
- [Brain Injury Lawyer](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-lawyer)
- [Types of Personal Injury Claims](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-personal-injury-claims)
- [Where To Start](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-where-to-start)
- [Local Assistance](https://www.spinalcord.com/florida-personal-injury-claims)
#### [About Us](https://www.spinalcord.com/about-us)
Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families. They cause disruptive changes to every aspect of your life and there is a lot of new information to navigate and understand. Our experts have collected everything in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get assistance navigating your next move.
[Learn More About SpinalCord.com →](https://www.spinalcord.com/about-us)
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"articleBody" : "The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as a contusion. Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.\n\nWhat Is a Spinal Contusion?
\n![\"Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image\"](\"https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=300&name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg\")
\nMuch like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather unlike bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.
\nFor example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.
\nA contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of physical symptoms such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.
\nWarning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For
\nFirstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” according to Dr. Wong, an orthopedic physician.
\nSymptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016). Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:
\n\n- Spinal shock — or the "loss of feeling or movement below site of injury" (Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) that can last between hours and weeks
\n- Loss of bladder or bowel function
\n- Difficulty breathing
\n- Muscle spasticity
\n- Difficulty understanding speech
\n- Problems with attention
\n- Memory challenges
\n- Heart rate and blood pressure problems
\n
\nUnfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.
\nUnderstanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.
\nIf you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our guide to understanding a spinal cord injury.",
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"description":"The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as a contusion. Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.
What Is a Spinal Contusion?
Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image
Much like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather unlike bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.
For example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.
A contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of physical symptoms such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.
Warning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For
Firstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” according to Dr. Wong, an orthopedic physician.
Symptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016). Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:
Spinal shock — or the loss of feeling or movement below site of injury (Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) that can last between hours and weeks
Loss of bladder or bowel function
Difficulty breathing
Muscle spasticity
Difficulty understanding speech
Problems with attention
Memory challenges
Heart rate and blood pressure problems
Unfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.
Understanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.
If you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our guide to understanding a spinal cord injury.",
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"description":"The authors at SpinalCord.com come from diverse backgrounds including doctors, attorneys, medical journalist, and survivors of spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Each author brings with them different experiences and expertise which when combined provide clinically accurate information which is useful to all individuals in the spinal cord and traumatic brain injury communities. Within the content you will find citations to medical journals, scientific research, as well as national and local resources to provide immediate support to families in need of assistance. Content is reviewed and updated regularly with changes in the clinical guidelines, new resources, and fresh ways to understand the content such as videos and infographics. ."
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