$36.0M
Recovery for a pedestrian who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle.
Personal Injury
California Paralysis Injury Lawyer
Has an accident left you or a loved one paralyzed? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help paralysis victims pursue compensation for lifetime care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review — no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
- 7X"BEST LAW FIRM" AWARDS
- 24/7AVAILABILITY & SUPPORT
- 500+LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
Understanding Your Spinal Cord & Paralysis Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has represented numerous clients with catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Our attorneys investigate how your paralysis happened, work with life care planners and economic experts to document the full lifetime impact of your injury, and handle every conversation with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovery. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Paralysis is generally classified by how much function is lost and which part of the body is affected. A complete injury causes total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site, while an incomplete injury preserves some function. Paraplegia is the loss of function in the lower limbs and trunk, typically from a thoracic or lumbar spinal cord injury. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is the loss of function in all four limbs and the trunk, usually from a cervical (neck) injury and sometimes requiring ventilator support. Hemiplegia and monoplegia affect one side of the body or a single limb.
Most traumatic paralysis injuries trace back to preventable negligence. The leading cause is motor vehicle accidents, including freeway-speed collisions and crashes involving commercial trucks. Other common causes include falls on construction sites (from scaffolding, ladders, and elevated platforms), pedestrian accidents, defective products, and diving or other recreational accidents. Identifying the at-fault party is central to your claim, and our attorneys handle that investigation for you. Injured on the road? Los Angeles truck accident lawyer →
Paralysis victims in California can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages, and the lifetime cost of these injuries is significant — national data shows care for high cervical quadriplegia can exceed $5.5 million and paraplegia can exceed $2.4 million. Economic damages commonly include emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future medical expenses, home modifications (ramps, roll-in showers, lift systems), adaptive equipment such as powered wheelchairs and modified vehicles, attendant and skilled nursing care, and lost wages and earning capacity. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. California does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases.
In most California paralysis injury cases you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Claims against a government entity have a much shorter deadline — generally a government tort claim must be filed within six months. Because missing a deadline can end your case, and because evidence like vehicle data recorders and surveillance footage can disappear, it's best to speak with a legal professional early.
Meet Our Spinal Cord & Paralysis Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. Guest, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$28.5M
Recovery for victims of a rear-end collision involving a commercial truck.
$14.5M
Recovery for a victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury due to unsafe property conditions.
$14.0M
Recovery for a victim injured in a motorcycle accident.
$13.5M
Recovery for victims injured in a collision involving a commercial truck.
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Paralysis Injury Claim in California?
You likely have a valid paralysis injury claim if another party's negligence caused your injury, you suffered real damages, and the evidence supports your account. Negligence means someone — a driver, property owner, employer, or product maker — failed to act with reasonable care. Damages include your medical bills, lifetime care needs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Evidence includes accident reports, medical records, and expert analysis. California's two-year statute of limitations generally applies, so contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review.
Start Your Free Spinal Cord & Paralysis Case Review
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Record breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
1–1 of 17
#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement
2024
#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
2024
#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
2023
#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Negligent Security Settlement
2023
#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
2023
#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
2023
#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
2022
#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
2022
*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Spinal Cord & Paralysis FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Paraplegia affects the lower body and legs, while quadriplegia (tetraplegia) affects all four limbs and often breathing and hand function. Quadriplegia typically requires more extensive lifelong care, which usually means a larger damages calculation, though both are serious injuries that can support a claim. If your injury occurred in the Los Angeles area, our Los Angeles paralysis lawyer page has more information.
Paralysis brings decades of expenses — attendant care, wheelchairs and adaptive equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing treatment for related complications. A life-care plan and economic experts document these future costs so a settlement covers a lifetime, not just current bills.
Generally yes. Under California's "eggshell plaintiff" principle, a defendant is responsible for the full harm they caused even if a pre-existing condition made you more vulnerable to paralysis. The defendant takes you as they find you.
Generally two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity may be responsible, a written claim is usually due within six months first. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly.