---
title: How to Choose a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
description: Before you sign a contract, consider these factors for how to choose a spinal cord injury attorney.
image: http://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/How-to-Choose-a-Spinal-Cord-Injury-Attorney.jpg
---
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# How to Choose a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Author: [Zawn Villines](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)
Publish Date: February 01, 2016
Collectively, lawyers aren’t always viewed as the most like-able professionals. It is true that there are bad lawyers, just as there are bad doctors and priests and accountants. Much of the backlash against lawyers, though, centers around the radical change they can bring to fruition for their clients.
Insurers and other entities don't like it when good lawyers cost their clients money, so don't buy into the anti-lawyer hype! The right lawyer has the power to change your life, protect your family, and zealously advocate for your rights.
If you have suffered a [spinal cord injury](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury), you need to act quickly. State statutes of limitations preclude old claims, with most states having a limitation of about two years. Once you hire a lawyer and file your suit, you're in the clear in terms of the statute of limitations, so don't delay! Before you sign a contract, consider these factors for how to choose a spinal cord injury attorney.
## **Experience With Spinal Cord Injuries **
An attorney who boasts 30 years of legal experience and a degree from a top-tier law school might sound impressive. The truth, though, is that many highly experienced attorneys are woefully ill-equipped to tackle [spinal cord injury cases](https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/what-qualifies-for-a-spinal-cord-injury-lawsuit). This area of the law is complex and highly specialized, and an attorney who has litigated hundreds of cases can still wreak havoc on your case if he or she has no experience with spinal cord injury litigation.
Ask about your attorney's spinal cord-injury specific experience. In most cases, you will be better off with a lawyer who has five years of experience litigating only these cases than a lawyer who has 20 years of experience but who only does general-purpose civil litigation.
If your lawyer is skilled in this area of the law, his or her legal record will reflect that, so ask about specific cases, clients, and outcomes. If the lawyer has litigated a case that is substantially similar to your own, that is even better.
## **Knowledge About Spinal Cord Injuries **
Spinal cord injury litigation is complex, and while you can't expect your attorney to be a doctor, it's reasonable to expect him or her to have adequate knowledge to make quick and intelligent decisions in your case. At minimum, your lawyer should know which experts to contact, which hospitals routinely work with spinal cord injury patients, and how it typically takes to litigate these cases.
It is also helpful for your lawyer to be linked up with the SCI community. After all, your injuries are not the only reason to sue. You might eventually face disability discrimination or need to file a Social Security disability claim. Should that occur, a knowledgeable lawyer can refer you to the right attorney for your needs. Remember, no lawyer is able to litigate every type of case.
## **Continuing Legal Education **
It's easy to impress you with a list of cases your lawyer litigated 10 or 15 years ago. After all, any attorney can get lucky with a few wins. The world of spinal cord injuries is constantly changing, and the legal precedent of today can render the legal strategies of yesterday totally obsolete.
Skilled litigators remain up-to-date on changes in the law by joining local bar associations, attending continuing legal education seminars, and reading relevant cases. Ask potential spinal cord injury lawyers what he or she does to ensure his or her legal knowledge is at the cutting edge of legal changes.
## **Quality of Legal Work **
Humans have a built-in cognitive bias that encourages them to pay more attention to what people say about themselves than what they actually do. Counteract this by reminding yourself that some of the best lawyers undersell their legal skills precisely because they understand the complexity of spinal cord injury cases.
Rather than relying on overstated promises or lots of fancy-looking awards, ask your attorney about the outcome in his or her five most recent cases. Remember, even the best lawyers lose cases. What matters, then, is why your lawyer lost.
Did he or she forget to file something important, or fatally misread a new legal precedent. Or did the jury simply not buy his or her story? Reading through prior cases can take some time and research, but if doing so helps you win your case, it is well worth the effort.
## **Personalized Attention **
Good lawyers often have a long list of clients and cases, so it's unreasonable to expect your attorney to immediately return your emails or always answer the phone when you call. Think about your own career; odds are good you frequently have to delay meetings or phone calls when something urgent comes up.
So don't judge your lawyer according to how quickly he or she gets into contact, and remember that in most cases, calling every day or even every week is highly unreasonable.
Instead, look at the quality of information you receive when you do talk to the lawyer. Does he or she give you personalized attention? Clear and specific information? Does he or she make it clear that he or she understands your case? Does your lawyer correct you when you are wrong about the law, or simply stroke your ego by constantly telling you you are right?
Good lawyers are thoughtful critical thinkers who give your case their full attention—but only when it's time to turn their attention toward your case.
## **Professional and Personal Reputation **
The world of legal advertising is increasingly misleading. Sites such as Avvo give users who pay them for memberships higher rankings, and irrelevant choices such as writing reviews for other lawyers can increase a lawyer's ranking even higher. Don't fall prey to these sites.
Instead, look at a spinal cord injury attorney's professional and personal reputation by:
- Checking his or her reputation with your local bar association, to see if he or she has a disciplinary record.
- Asking for a list of references.
- Reading online reviews to see if any themes emerge, but remember that online reviews are not a definitive guide to the quality of legal services. Some clients leave negative reviews when they are angry they lost a case.
- **Reading your lawyer's website to see if you agree with his or her legal philosophy and trust his or her knowledge. **
## **Resources Dedicated to Your Case **
Spinal cord injury lawsuits are complex matters that demand the use of experts, legal precedent, and often, legal workers such as paralegals and secretaries. Ask your lawyer who will be working on your case, and whether you can talk to them.
You should trust the entire legal team involved in your case, and feel confident in each individual team member's knowledge. You have final say over who is allowed to work on your case, so if you have any concern about the experts with whom your spinal cord injury attorney has chosen to work, raise these early in the process.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/575040/7777360c-974a-4e6e-9fa9-9cbf0c2096c9)
**Topics:** Spinal Cord Injury, Legal
### Stay Updated on Advancements On Traumatic Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries
About the Author
#### Zawn Villines
Zawn Villines is a writer specializing in health and legal journalism. Raised by a lawyer and lobbyist who advocated for spinal cord injury survivors, she is a lifelong advocate for spinal injury victims and their loved ones. You can connect with Zawn on Google+ below.
[Learn More About the Author](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)
**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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