A spinal cord injury changes everything — instantly and permanently. The medical costs alone can reach millions over a lifetime, and that doesn’t account for lost income, lost independence, adaptive equipment, home modification, and the immeasurable non-economic impact. Texas Legal Giants builds the comprehensive lifetime compensation cases that spinal cord injuries demand.
Attorney BJ Kemp represents SCI victims throughout Greater Houston on a contingency basis. No fee unless we win.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Severity and location of the injury determine function loss — and lifetime compensation needs.
Complete SCI — Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)
Complete loss of motor and sensory function below the neck. Typically C1–C7 level. Lifetime care costs frequently exceed $5 million. Requires 24-hour attendant care, ventilator support in high cervical cases, and extensive adaptive technology.
Complete SCI — Paraplegia
Complete loss of function below the chest or waist. Thoracic, lumbar, or sacral level. Victim may retain full arm and hand function but loses leg use and often bladder/bowel control. Lifetime costs commonly exceed $2–3 million.
Incomplete SCI
Partial preservation of motor or sensory function below the injury level. Outcomes vary widely. Some victims regain significant function with intensive rehabilitation; others have permanent partial deficits. Compensation must account for the realistic ceiling of recovery.
Central Cord Syndrome
Most common incomplete SCI — greater weakness in arms than legs, with variable sensory and bladder dysfunction. Often caused by hyperextension in car accidents, particularly in older victims with pre-existing cervical stenosis.
Herniated Disc / Nerve Root Damage
While not classic SCI, severe disc herniations caused by trauma compress nerve roots producing radiculopathy, chronic pain, and functional loss. Many car and truck accident victims suffer these injuries which require surgery and produce permanent limitations.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Compression of the nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord. Causes loss of bladder/bowel control, saddle anesthesia, and leg weakness. A surgical emergency — delay in treatment can cause permanent damage.
Insurers offer lump sums that feel large but fall catastrophically short of actual lifetime needs. We retain life care planners and forensic economists who project every cost: attendant care (often $100K–$300K/year), medical equipment, home modification, vehicle modification, lost earning capacity, and future medical care. We will not settle until the offer covers the real number.
What is the average settlement for a spinal cord injury in Texas?
Complete SCI (paraplegia or tetraplegia) cases in Texas typically settle or verdict between $2 million and $10+ million, depending on the victim’s age, pre-injury income, level of injury, and the defendant’s insurance coverage and conduct. Incomplete SCI cases vary more widely based on functional outcome. The correct question is not the “average” — it’s what your specific lifetime needs cost, which requires a formal life care plan from a credentialed expert.
What causes most spinal cord injuries in accident cases?
In Texas personal injury cases, the leading causes of traumatic SCI are motor vehicle accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles), falls (workplace and premises liability), and diving accidents. High-speed commercial truck crashes are particularly associated with severe cervical and thoracic SCI due to the forces involved. Workplace accidents — especially falls from heights in construction — are also a major source of SCI claims in the Houston area.
How Insurers Fight SCI Claims — And How We Counter
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a spinal cord injury lawsuit take in Texas?
SCI cases are among the most complex personal injury matters. Because we wait for MMI before settling, and because the litigation itself involves multiple expert witnesses and often multiple defendants, SCI cases typically take 2–4 years from injury to resolution. We move as efficiently as the facts allow while never sacrificing your right to full lifetime compensation.
Can I get a structured settlement for a spinal cord injury?
Yes — structured settlements can provide tax-advantaged, guaranteed future income streams particularly valuable for SCI victims facing decades of medical costs. We evaluate whether a structured settlement, lump sum, or combination best serves your specific circumstances, and involve financial advisors experienced with catastrophic injury settlements.
What if the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover my SCI?
We investigate all sources of available coverage: the driver’s personal policy, any umbrella policy, employer liability (if they were working), the vehicle owner’s policy, and your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. In commercial truck cases, carrier policies of $1M–$5M are common. We exhaust every available source before advising on settlement.
What is the statute of limitations for a spinal cord injury claim in Texas?
Two years from the date of injury under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. However, we recommend contacting an attorney immediately after any serious spinal injury — critical evidence (black box data, surveillance footage, accident scene conditions) disappears quickly, and the complexity of SCI cases requires early engagement of experts.
Do I need surgery before I can settle my SCI case?
In most cases, yes — we recommend waiting until MMI, which means completing all surgeries, initial rehabilitation, and stabilization of your condition. Settling before MMI risks undervaluing your claim because the full extent of permanent deficit is not yet known. The extra time required is worth it: lifetime needs must be fully documented before any settlement is final.
Related Practice Areas
Spinal Cord Injury Resources
BJ Kemp
Texas State Bar #24116608 • Houston, TX
BJ Kemp handles spinal cord injury cases throughout Greater Houston, building comprehensive lifetime compensation cases that insurers cannot lowball. Every case is handled on a pure contingency basis — nothing unless we win.
(346) 971–7333 — Free Consultation