Murfreesboro Spinal Injury Lawyers
A serious spinal injury can change a person’s life in an instant. Activities that once seemed effortless, such as walking, working, driving, or caring for family members, may suddenly become difficult or impossible. Some people face months of rehabilitation and uncertainty about their recovery. Others must adjust to permanent disabilities, chronic pain, or the need for lifelong assistance.
At Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, our Murfreesboro Spinal Injury Lawyers understand that the consequences of a spinal injury extend far beyond the initial hospitalization. These injuries can affect your independence, your career, your relationships, and your family’s financial security. When someone else’s negligence causes such a devastating injury, you deserve compensation that reflects everything you have lost and the challenges you may face in the future.
Attorneys Joe Weir and Tony Kestner are committed to helping spinal injury victims throughout Murfreesboro and Rutherford County pursue meaningful financial recoveries. Both began their careers representing insurance companies, giving them valuable insight into how insurers evaluate catastrophic injury claims. Today, they use that experience to advocate for injured people and their families.
The Different Types of Spinal Injuries
The spine is a complex structure consisting of vertebrae, discs, nerves, ligaments, and the spinal cord. Injuries to any of these structures can cause substantial pain and limitations, but damage to the spinal cord itself can be especially devastating.
Spinal injuries generally fall into two broad categories: injuries affecting the spinal column and injuries involving the spinal cord.
Spinal column injuries may include fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, damaged ligaments, or other structural damage. These conditions can produce severe pain, restricted movement, and neurological symptoms when surrounding nerves are compressed or damaged.
Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the bundle of nerves responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, a spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete paralysis.
The effects of spinal injuries can include:
- Chronic back or neck pain
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the extremities
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Loss of sensation below the injury
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Muscle spasms and impaired coordination
- Respiratory difficulties in severe cases
Even when an injury does not cause paralysis, it may substantially reduce a person’s ability to work, remain physically active, or perform ordinary daily tasks.
Paralysis and Permanent Disabilities Following Spinal Cord Injuries
Some of the most serious spinal cord injuries result in paraplegia or tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia.
Paraplegia generally affects movement and sensation in the legs and lower portions of the body. Tetraplegia affects all four limbs and may also impair the muscles responsible for breathing and other essential functions.
Spinal cord injuries are also classified as complete or incomplete. A complete injury results in the absence of preserved sensory and motor function in the lowest sacral segments, while an incomplete injury preserves some function below the neurological level of injury. The distinction can have significant implications for rehabilitation and long-term care, although outcomes vary considerably from person to person.
Someone living with paralysis may require a wheelchair, specialized transportation, home modifications, personal care assistance, and continuing medical treatment. The physical challenges are often accompanied by emotional and financial difficulties that affect the entire family.
Our attorneys recognize that compensation for a permanent spinal cord injury must address much more than current medical bills. It should account for the resources necessary to maintain the injured person’s health, dignity, independence, and quality of life over the long term.
Spinal Injuries Caused by Car and Truck Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are a major source of serious spinal injuries. The sudden forces involved in a collision can fracture vertebrae, damage discs, compress nerves, or injure the spinal cord. Head-on collisions, rollovers, and high-speed crashes can be particularly dangerous. However, serious spinal injuries may also occur in rear-end collisions and other accidents that initially appear less severe.
Commercial truck accidents present additional risks because of the enormous size and weight of tractor-trailers. A collision involving a large truck on Interstate 24, Interstate 840, or another roadway near Murfreesboro can expose occupants of smaller vehicles to tremendous forces.
At Weir & Kestner, we represent people who suffer spinal injuries in a variety of circumstances, including:
- Passenger vehicle collisions
- Tractor-trailer and commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Falls on dangerous property
- Other accidents caused by negligent individuals or businesses
Regardless of the circumstances, our priority is pursuing the financial recovery needed to address the injury’s consequences.
Securing Compensation for a Lifetime of Medical and Personal Needs
One of the greatest challenges in a catastrophic spinal injury case is determining how much compensation will be needed over the injured person’s lifetime. A settlement that appears substantial today may prove inadequate if it does not account for decades of medical treatment, personal assistance, and reduced earning capacity. For example, a person with a permanent spinal cord injury may require ongoing physical therapy, specialized medical equipment, treatment for secondary complications, and periodic replacement of mobility devices. Some individuals need assistance with bathing, dressing, transferring between surfaces, preparing meals, or other daily activities. Others require accessible housing or modifications to their vehicles.
Compensation in a spinal injury claim may include:
- Emergency treatment, hospitalization, and surgery
- Rehabilitation and ongoing medical care
- Wheelchairs, mobility devices, and assistive technology
- Home and vehicle accessibility modifications
- In-home nursing or personal care assistance
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Permanent disability and diminished quality of life
Our attorneys work to pursue compensation that addresses both present expenses and reasonably anticipated future losses. We understand that a spinal injury settlement is not simply a payment for what happened in the past. For someone with a permanent disability, it can be an essential source of financial support for the rest of their life.
Protecting Murfreesboro Spinal Injury Victims From Inadequate Insurance Settlements
Insurance companies may recognize that spinal injuries are serious while still disputing the amount of compensation an injured person deserves. For instance, an insurer might argue that certain treatments are unnecessary, that a person can return to employment despite significant limitations, or that future care expenses are exaggerated. Claims involving herniated discs and other spinal conditions may also encounter arguments that the symptoms resulted from age-related degeneration or a preexisting condition rather than the accident.
Joe Weir and Tony Kestner understand how insurance companies approach these disputes because they previously represented insurers and their policyholders. Their experience provides insight into how insurance companies assess exposure, evaluate damages, and attempt to limit settlement payments. Our firm uses that knowledge to advocate for settlements that fairly reflect our clients’ losses. When an insurance company refuses to offer appropriate compensation, we are prepared to pursue the case through litigation.
We believe people who have suffered catastrophic injuries should not have to accept less than they deserve simply because an insurance company wants to minimize its financial responsibility.
Compassionate Representation for Injured People and Their Families
A serious spinal injury affects the entire household. Spouses, parents, children, and other loved ones may become caregivers while also managing employment, household expenses, and emotional stress. At Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, we recognize that our clients need more than legal representation. They need a team that listens, communicates clearly, and treats their concerns with respect. When you contact our firm, you can speak with an attorney promptly about your circumstances. Every client also receives a dedicated case manager who helps provide updates, answer questions, and keep the legal process organized.
We take pride in being a Rutherford County law firm with deep local roots. Unlike practices that expanded into Murfreesboro from other communities, Weir & Kestner was founded here. Our commitment to personal service reflects the relationships we have built in the community we call home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Injury Claims
Can I recover compensation for a spinal injury if I am not paralyzed?
Yes. Paralysis is not required to pursue compensation for a serious spinal injury. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, and other spinal conditions can cause chronic pain, permanent limitations, and substantial medical expenses. The value of your claim depends on the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
What if my spinal injury requires surgery several years after the accident?
Future medical expenses may be included in a personal injury claim when they are reasonably anticipated and supported by appropriate medical evidence. If doctors believe additional surgery or treatment may be necessary, those potential expenses should be considered before resolving the case. Once a final settlement is accepted, you generally cannot seek additional compensation from the released parties for later medical costs.
Can I pursue compensation if I had back problems before the accident?
Yes. A preexisting spinal condition does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Under Tennessee law, a negligent party may be responsible for aggravating an existing injury or condition. The important distinction is between problems that existed before the accident and additional harm caused by the negligent conduct.
How is the value of a permanent spinal cord injury claim determined?
The value depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the injured person’s age, anticipated lifetime medical expenses, future care requirements, lost earning capacity, and the effect on independence and quality of life. Available insurance coverage, liability issues, and Tennessee law can also influence the amount ultimately recovered.
How long do I have to file a spinal injury lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee generally requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within one year, although exceptions and special rules may apply. Because spinal injury claims can involve substantial future damages and complicated legal issues, it is important to speak with an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Contact Our Murfreesboro Spinal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious spinal injury because of another person’s negligence, Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers is ready to stand beside you. We understand that your future may feel uncertain. Our goal is to help you pursue the financial resources needed for medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, and the lasting changes to your life.
Our Murfreesboro spinal injury attorneys serve clients throughout Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee, providing attentive representation and the benefit of years of experience handling claims involving insurance companies.
Contact Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. You will not owe attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.