MN Bar #0402606Se Habla Español5.0 ★ Google Rating

Spinal Cord Injury Litigation

A spinal cord injury can change every aspect of your life in an instant. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal injury due to another party's negligence, Andrade Law fights to recover the lifetime compensation you need for medical care, lost income, and the full impact on your quality of life.

Free Case Review (651) 800-1313

Free Consultation: No fees unless we win your case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This information is for educational purposes only.

Quick Summary

Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Minnesota

Covers complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries from all accident types
Pursues lifetime medical care, lost income, and future rehabilitation costs
Minnesota statute of limitations allows up to six years to file
Contingency representation — zero fees unless we recover compensation
Attorney Gabriel E. Andrade personally manages every spinal injury case

Spinal cord injury cases require immediate evidence preservation. Early action protects critical medical records, accident reports, and witness testimony.

Six-year filing deadline under Minn. Stat. § 541.05
MRI and imaging evidence degrades over time
Insurance company adjusters begin investigating immediately
Lifetime care projections require early expert engagement

Call (651) 800-1313 Now

24/7

Availability

Upfront Costs*

Understanding Your Injury

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) range from mild nerve compression to complete paralysis. The type and severity of injury directly affects the compensation you can recover, the medical treatment you will need, and the long-term impact on your independence. Under Minnesota law, victims of SCI caused by another party's negligence have the right to pursue full damages for both economic and non-economic losses.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site. Complete injuries typically result from severe trauma to the vertebrae and carry a high likelihood of permanent paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care, mobility equipment, and personal assistance.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Some preserved function, sensation, or movement below the affected area. Incomplete injuries vary widely in severity. Rehabilitation may restore partial function, but victims often face permanent limitations, chronic pain, and ongoing therapy needs.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower body, typically resulting from injury to the thoracic or lumbar spine. Paraplegic patients lose function in the legs and lower trunk, requiring wheelchairs, home modifications, and specialized rehabilitation programs.

Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)

Paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, resulting from injury to the cervical spine. Quadriplegia is the most severe form of SCI and creates extraordinary lifetime care costs, including 24-hour nursing, ventilator support, and full home accessibility modifications.

Each type of spinal cord injury affects your legal claim differently. Andrade Law works with medical experts, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to document the full scope of your injury and project your lifetime needs accurately.

Your Attorney

Gabe Andrade

Minnesota Personal Injury Attorney

Gabriel E. Andrade brings a personal commitment to every case. As a dedicated personal injury attorney serving the Greater Twin Cities, Gabe combines legal expertise with genuine compassion for clients facing difficult times.

MN Bar #0402606

5.0 ★ Google Rating

Se Habla Español

Available 24/7

Professional Associations

How These Injuries Happen

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries result from sudden, violent impacts to the spine. In the St. Paul area, the most frequent causes involve motor vehicle crashes, falls, and workplace incidents. Identifying the precise cause of your injury is essential to establishing legal liability and determining which parties owe you compensation.

Car accidents — rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, and high-speed impacts that compress or fracture vertebrae
Truck crashes — commercial vehicle collisions involving catastrophic force due to size and weight differentials
Slip and fall incidents — falls on icy sidewalks, wet floors, or uneven surfaces that cause spinal trauma
Pedestrian collisions — being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist, often causing cervical spine damage
Falls from heights or workplace injuries — construction site falls, ladder accidents, and heavy equipment incidents

Minnesota-Specific Consideration

Minnesota's harsh winter conditions contribute significantly to spinal cord injuries. Icy parking lots, unplowed sidewalks, and snow-covered stairs create hazardous conditions. Property owners in St. Paul have a legal duty under Minnesota premises liability law to maintain reasonably safe conditions, including timely snow and ice removal.

Recognizing the Signs

Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury symptoms may appear immediately following trauma or develop gradually in the hours and days after an accident. Any of these warning signs following an accident should prompt immediate emergency medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and documentation strengthen both your medical prognosis and your legal claim.

Loss of movement or coordination in the arms, legs, or torso
Numbness, tingling, or complete loss of sensation below the injury site
Chronic pain or intense pressure in the neck, back, or head
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from the lungs
Spasms, exaggerated reflexes, or changes in sexual function

Diagnostic confirmation typically involves MRI imaging, CT scans, and neurological assessments. These medical records form the foundation of your injury claim, and Andrade Law works with your medical team to ensure thorough documentation from day one.

How Your Case Works

The Spinal Cord Injury Litigation Process

Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. The lifetime value of an SCI case can reach millions of dollars, requiring meticulous evidence gathering, expert testimony, and experienced legal strategy. Here is how Andrade Law handles your case from the initial consultation through resolution.

Free Case Evaluation

Attorney Gabriel E. Andrade reviews the circumstances of your injury, examines available medical records, and assesses your legal options. We identify all potentially liable parties and outline the projected timeline for your claim. There is no cost and no obligation for this initial consultation.

Investigation and Evidence Collection

We gather accident reports, medical imaging (MRI, CT scans), witness statements, and scene evidence. For catastrophic injury cases, Andrade Law engages accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists early to establish the mechanism of injury and link it directly to the defendant's negligence.

Medical Documentation and Life Care Planning

We work with your treating physicians, neurologists, and rehabilitation specialists to document your injury, prognosis, and future care needs. A certified life care planner projects lifetime costs for medical treatment, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and personal assistance — forming the economic foundation of your damages claim.

Demand and Negotiation

Armed with comprehensive documentation, Andrade Law presents a detailed demand to the at-fault party's insurer. We negotiate aggressively, backed by the credible threat of trial. Many SCI cases settle at this stage when the evidence clearly demonstrates liability and damages.

Litigation and Trial

If the insurance company refuses a fair offer, Andrade Law files suit in Ramsey County District Court and prepares your case for trial. Gabriel E. Andrade personally handles depositions, motions, and courtroom presentation. We do not refer cases out — your attorney is your trial attorney.

What You Can Recover

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries generate some of the highest damage awards in personal injury law due to the catastrophic and permanent nature of these injuries. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the average lifetime cost for a person with high tetraplegia can exceed $5 million. Andrade Law fights to recover every dollar you are entitled to under Minnesota law.

Economic Damages

Emergency medical care, hospitalization, and surgical costs
Ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation
Wheelchair, ramp, vehicle modification, and home accessibility costs
Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future income loss
In-home nursing care, assisted living, and personal attendant costs

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering — physical pain and discomfort from the injury and treatment
Emotional distress — depression, anxiety, PTSD, and psychological impact
Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in activities
Loss of consortium — impact on family and spousal relationships

Minnesota does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases, meaning there is no statutory limit on what a jury can award for pain, suffering, and quality-of-life losses. Andrade Law leverages this to pursue maximum recovery in every spinal cord injury claim.

Building Your Case

Evidence That Supports a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Successful SCI litigation depends on thorough, well-organized evidence that connects the defendant's negligence to your injury and quantifies your full damages. Andrade Law collects and preserves the following evidence categories for every spinal cord case.

MRI, CT scan, and X-ray imaging that shows the location and extent of spinal damage
Neurological assessments documenting motor and sensory function loss
Physician documentation, surgical reports, and discharge care plans
Rehabilitation progress records and therapy notes tracking recovery or decline
Expert testimony from neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and life care planners
Vocational expert analysis of diminished earning capacity and workplace limitations

Insurance Coverage

No-Fault Insurance and Spinal Cord Injuries

If your spinal cord injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident, Minnesota's no-fault insurance system covers your initial medical expenses and wage loss regardless of fault. However, no-fault benefits have strict limits — $20,000 for medical bills and $20,000 for wage loss — which are quickly exhausted in catastrophic injury cases.

For severe spinal injuries, the law allows you to step outside the no-fault system and file a third-party liability claim if your medical bills exceed $4,000, your disability lasts 60 or more days, or you suffer permanent injury. Nearly all spinal cord injury cases meet these thresholds, and Andrade Law pursues full third-party recovery to cover your lifetime needs.

When Insurers Deny or Delay Benefits

Insurance companies frequently challenge the extent and necessity of spinal injury treatment to minimize payouts. If your insurer has denied PIP benefits, delayed authorization for surgery or rehabilitation, or undervalued your claim, Andrade Law handles insurance claim disputes and takes legal action to enforce your policy rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spinal Cord Injury FAQ

How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Minnesota? +

Minnesota's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is six years from the date of injury under Minn. Stat. § 541.05. However, filing early is critical in SCI cases because medical evidence, witness memories, and physical evidence degrade over time. Andrade Law recommends contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a spinal injury to begin evidence preservation.

Can spinal cord injury victims sue for emotional distress? +

Yes. Many spinal cord injury victims experience severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and adjustment disorders. Minnesota law allows recovery for emotional distress as part of your non-economic damages. Andrade Law works with psychologists and psychiatrists to document the psychological impact and include it in your total damages claim.

Is long-term care included in a spinal cord injury settlement? +

Yes. Andrade Law engages certified life care planners and economic experts to calculate your projected future care needs. This includes medical equipment (wheelchairs, ventilators), in-home nursing, assisted living, home modifications, vehicle adaptations, and ongoing therapy. These lifetime projections are presented as part of your total damage claim to ensure the settlement covers your needs for decades to come.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident that caused my spinal injury? +

Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50% (Minn. Stat. § 604.01). Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $2 million, you would recover $1.6 million. Andrade Law works to minimize your attributed fault and maximize your recovery.

How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury attorney? +

Andrade Law handles all spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures that every spinal injury victim has access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

What is the average settlement for a spinal cord injury in Minnesota? +

There is no single average because each case depends on the severity of injury, the liable parties, and the available insurance coverage. Complete spinal cord injuries involving paraplegia or quadriplegia typically involve claims valued in the millions due to lifetime care costs. Andrade Law evaluates your specific circumstances and pursues the maximum compensation supported by the evidence in your case.

Reviewed by:Gabriel Andrade, Esq.

Last updated:March 24, 2026