How We Help Patients and Families

A spinal cord injury can affect mobility, independence, work, and family life. If your injury was caused by medical malpractice, you may be able to bring a legal claim for medical bills, lost income, future care, and pain and suffering. Our team guides you through the process, gathers the evidence needed to support your claim, and works to recover full compensation for you. We work on a contingency basis which means you won’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation for you.

We represent patients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in claims involving spinal cord injury caused by medical negligence. Consultations are free and confidential.

Common Medical Malpractice Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Medical mistakes can cause spinal cord injuries in many places: emergency rooms, operating rooms, hospital units, and clinics. Common causes include:

  • Failure to diagnose or treat spinal cord compression: Missed herniation, tumor, hematoma, or postoperative swelling that requires prompt intervention.
  • Delayed treatment of cauda equina syndrome: Missed red flags like saddle anesthesia, severe back pain, new weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control can lead to permanent issues if imaging and surgical decompression are not performed in time.
  • Delayed treatment of a spinal epidural abscess: Failure to recognize infection signs, order an urgent MRI, start antibiotics, or consult surgery can cause compression and ischemia of the cord.
  • Failure to order appropriate tests: Unnecessary delays in MRI, CT, myelography, or lab work, despite neurological symptoms can allow a reversible condition to become permanent.
  • Surgical errors: Inappropriate surgical technique, improper positioning, retained foreign objects, or inadequate intraoperative neuromonitoring.
  • Postoperative negligence: Ignored neuro checks, delayed return to the OR for new weakness, failure to address infection or hematoma.
  • Medication and anesthesia errors: Anticoagulation management mistakes that cause epidural hematoma, intrathecal dosing errors, or failure to reverse sedation that masks problems.
  • Hospital medical malpractice: Negligent patient transfers, improper use of spinal precautions, inadequate monitoring after spine procedures, or anesthesia errors can cause or worsen injury.

If you have been harmed by the negligence of your healthcare provider, our team can help you get answers.

Why Choose Morris James

Our attorneys provide compassionate, experienced legal support to injured patients and their families in spinal cord injury cases. We offer:

  • Dedicated medical malpractice attorneys. This is what we do every day. We know how to gather the necessary evidence, properly value all of your damages (past and future), and stand up to powerful healthcare systems and insurers. Before representing injured patients, our medical malpractice attorneys defended healthcare providers and insurers, which gives us insight into their defense strategies and how to anticipate and counter them.
  • Robust network of medical experts. We work with physicians, surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and other medical experts, to review your care and give clear, credible opinions.
  • No fee unless we recover. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case, and we work on a contingency basis so you won’t pay any attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you.
  • Local, responsive representation. You’ll have direct access to your team, frequent updates, and clear communication. We represent clients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Your Legal Timeline

Medical malpractice deadlines are strict and differ by state. Missing a deadline can mean losing your right to file a legal claim. Evidence also becomes harder to obtain with time so it is crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that records are preserved, legal deadlines are not missed, and your rights are protected. We can advise you on the deadlines in your specific situation in your initial consultation.

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Team Leader

Ryan T. Keating
Partner

What To Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

  1. Get medical care now. Ask for copies of your records, MRI/CT reports, and the actual images on a CD/USB or through your online patient portal.
  2. Write a simple timeline. Include dates when symptoms started or changed, who you saw, what tests were ordered, and what you were told. Include notes about your daily physical and emotional challenges and discomfort.
  3. Save your paperwork. Keep discharge papers, medication lists, and a record of all the providers that you have seen. Also, keep copies of wage or income information.
  4. Contact a medical malpractice attorney. Our team offers a free, confidential review of your case. We’ll assess whether negligent care caused or worsened your injury and explain your options.

Spinal Cord Injuries FAQs

What is a spinal cord injury caused by medical negligence?

It is harm to the spinal cord that results from a healthcare provider’s failure to meet accepted standards of care, such as delaying urgent imaging for cauda equina, missing a spinal epidural abscess, or mishandling postoperative neuro changes.

How do you prove negligence in a spinal injury case?

To prove medical negligence, it is necessary to show four separate elements:

  1. Duty: The provider was responsible for your care.
  2. Breach: Their care fell below an acceptable standard (for example, no timely MRI or surgery).
  3. Causation: The provider's breach caused your spinal cord injury.
  4. Damages: You were harmed physically, emotionally, or financially.
Will I have to go to court?

Many cases settle before trial. If a trial is needed for a fair result, we’re ready to present your case to a jury.

What compensation am I entitled to for a spinal cord injury?

Every case is different, and recoverable damages will depend on the facts of your case. Compensation could include:

  • Past and future medical care, rehabilitation, and daily caregiver support
  • Lost wages (past) and loss of earning capacity (future)
  • Mobility aids, medical equipment, and home or vehicle modifications
  • Pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship
Who can be held responsible in a spinal injury malpractice case?

Depending on the facts of your case, the hospital, surgeon, emergency physician, anesthesiology group, radiology group, or nursing staff, may be legally responsible. We will evaluate your medical records and care to determine who may be legally liable in your case.

What if the injury happened months (or years) ago?

You may still have a case, but strict deadlines apply in each state. Contact a medical malpractice attorney promptly to protect your rights.

How long will my case take?

It depends on the facts, medical issues, and the court’s schedule. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your case and keep you updated.

How much does a medical malpractice case cost?

There are no upfront legal fees. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee, meaning you don’t pay attorneys' fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Do you handle cases outside Delaware?

Yes. We represent clients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Talk to a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

If you believe medical negligence caused your spinal cord injury, we are ready to help you get answers and compensation. Call 302.888.6857 or submit our online form below for a free, confidential consultation. We can review your situation, explain your options, and start protecting your rights today.

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Ryan T. Keating

Ryan T. Keating

Partner