A spinal cord injury can change every part of your life in an instant. Whether caused by a car crash, a fall at work, or a medical mistake, these injuries often lead to permanent paralysis, loss of mobility, and ongoing medical needs that can last a lifetime. If someone’s negligence caused your spinal cord injury, you deserve full and fair compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, our Helena spinal cord injury lawyers represent clients throughout Montana who are facing the life-altering effects of catastrophic spinal cord damage. We combine compassionate client care with decades of courtroom experience to help individuals and families recover the compensation needed to rebuild your future.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages the spinal cord or surrounding nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and body. This type of injury often leads to partial or complete loss of movement and sensation below the point of injury.
The spinal cord doesn’t have the ability to fully heal itself. That means victims often face lifelong challenges that require extensive rehabilitation, specialized equipment, and long-term care. These life-long challenges must be taken into account when considering fair compensation.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are generally categorized as complete or incomplete:
Complete spinal cord injuries cause total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site. Victims may experience paraplegia (loss of movement in the lower body) or quadriplegia/tetraplegia (loss of movement in both the upper and lower body).
Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow for some level of sensation or movement below the affected area. Outcomes vary widely depending on the severity of the trauma and the quality of medical treatment received.
Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Montana
Spinal injuries can happen in many ways, but most cases our personal injury attorneys handle involve some form of negligence. Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle crashes including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Falls from heights or slip and fall accidents on unsafe property
- Workplace accidents, especially in construction, logging, or ranching
- Sports and recreational accidents, including skiing, biking, and diving injuries
- Medical negligence or surgical errors damaging the spinal cord
- Acts of violence or traumatic impacts
Regardless of how your injury occurred, if someone’s carelessness or unsafe actions contributed to it, you may have a valid personal injury claim under Montana law.
How Spinal Cord Injuries Affect Your Life
A spinal cord injury is not just a physical condition. It’s a complete shift in how you live your daily life. You and your family must adjust to new routines, financial pressures, and emotional stress. This could be accessibility changes to your home, vehicle, bed, etc; or much larger adjustments like full time care requirements.
Physical Limitations and Mobility Loss
Depending on the injury’s location and severity, victims may experience:
- Partial or complete paralysis in limbs or torso
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Respiratory challenges or dependence on ventilators
- Muscle spasms, chronic pain, or loss of sensation
- Secondary health problems such as infections or pressure sores
For many, even the simplest tasks like getting dressed or driving require assistance or adaptive equipment. These physical challenges often lead to significant emotional and financial strain. Our team at Wall, McLean & Gallagher works closely with medical experts, rehabilitation specialists, and life-care planners to understand the full scope of your losses and to pursue compensation that reflects your true needs, not just your immediate bills.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
When someone’s negligence causes a spinal cord injury, Montana law allows victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. The goal is to ensure that you can afford necessary care and maintain the highest possible quality of life.
An experienced personal injury lawyer who has worked with spinal cord injuries in Montana will be able to give you an estimate of the amount of compensation you may be able to secure for your claim.
Medical Expenses and Long-Term Treatment
The cost of treating and managing a spinal injury can easily exceed millions of dollars over a lifetime. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency treatment, surgeries, and hospitalization
- Inpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Mobility aids such as wheelchairs or home modifications
- In-home nursing or personal care assistance
- Lifetime medical monitoring and medication costs
Beyond medical expenses, you can also seek damages for:
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior occupation
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium for spouses and family members
In some cases, punitive damages may be available if the responsible party was especially reckless or intentionally caused you harm. These types of damages can stem from cases such as drunk driving or medical malpractice.
Every spinal injury case is unique. At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, we will carefully calculate your total damages to ensure that insurance companies or opposing parties don’t undervalue your claim.
Why You Need an Experienced Helena Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex types of personal injury claims. They often involve catastrophic damages, multiple liable parties, and aggressive defense strategies from insurers. Having an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Montana can make all the difference in protecting your rights and securing the compensation you need.
At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, we understand both the legal and human sides of these cases. Our firm has deep roots in Montana communities, and we’ve built our reputation on standing up for the people of our state.
Our lawyers will:
- Investigate how your accident occurred and identify all liable parties
- Gather medical evidence and expert testimony to prove the extent of your injuries
- Handle all negotiations and communications with insurance companies
- Prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Guide you through every step with compassion, honesty, and clear communication
Why Choose Wall, McLean & Gallagher?
A Wall, McLean & Gallagher lawyer has the experience and gumption to fight for your rights and for fair compensation whether in negotiations or in the courtroom. We have the experience needed for a successful claim:
- Local knowledge and proven results: Our firm has decades of experience representing Montana residents in catastrophic injury and paralysis claims. We know the courts, the laws, and the people we serve.
- Client-first commitment: You will work directly with your attorney, not just staff or assistants. We take time to listen to your story and understand your goals.
- Comprehensive resources: From medical experts to life-care planners, we bring together the professional resources necessary to document your long-term needs and losses.
- Community trust: Wall, McLean & Gallagher has earned the respect of clients and colleagues across Helena and Western Montana for our integrity, preparation, and results.
Standing Up for Spinal Injury Victims Across Montana
From Helena to Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, and across Western Montana, our firm is proud to serve individuals and families facing spinal trauma caused by:
- Car, commercial or large trucks, and motorcycle collisions
- Unsafe worksites or defective equipment
- Dangerous property conditions
- Medical malpractice or surgical errors
- Negligent supervision or safety violations
When your future is at stake, you deserve an attorney who knows how to fight for you. Even if you think the odds are stacked against you, we will be there to help you when you need it most.
Free Consultations – No Fees Unless We Win
We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of financial situation. That’s why our firm handles spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, and no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you.
Contact us today at (406) 442-1054 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal rights, and help you decide on the best next steps for your recovery.