San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating consequences of accidents in San Francisco. A complete spinal cord injury at or above the cervical level results in permanent paralysis below the injury site. Even incomplete injuries — where some function is preserved below the level of injury — involve chronic pain, sensory deficits, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and limitations that reshape every aspect of a person's life. Attorney Michael Rehm represents people who have sustained spinal cord injuries in accidents throughout San Francisco and San Francisco County. These claims are filed in San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister Street.

Mechanism and Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain through the vertebral column to the lower back. Injury occurs when the column is fractured, dislocated, or destabilized and the resulting force compresses, lacerates, or contuses the cord. The level of the injury — cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral — determines the extent of functional loss. Cervical injuries (C1–C8) affect the arms, trunk, and legs and at the highest levels affect breathing. Thoracic injuries (T1–T12) preserve arm function but eliminate trunk and leg function below the injury level. Lumbar and sacral injuries affect leg function and pelvic organ control to varying degrees.

Surgical Intervention in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal Decompression Surgery

When fracture fragments, herniated disc material, or hematoma compress the spinal cord, surgical decompression is performed to relieve that pressure and reduce the risk of secondary injury. Decompression procedures include laminectomy (removing the posterior arch of one or more vertebrae), laminotomy (removing a portion of the arch), and discectomy (removing herniated disc material). The decision to decompress urgently versus waiting for the patient to stabilize involves neurological and surgical judgment. Delays in decompression have been associated with worse neurological outcomes in certain injury patterns, making the timing of surgical intervention relevant to causation analysis.

Spinal Fusion and Instrumentation

When the spinal column is unstable following injury, fusion surgery is performed to stabilize the injured segment. Fusion involves placing bone graft between vertebrae supplemented by titanium instrumentation (rods, screws, and plates). Multi-level fusions are common in high-energy trauma. Fusion permanently alters the biomechanics of the spine and redistributes stress to adjacent segments, which are at elevated risk for degeneration — a factor relevant to future medical cost projections.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

In cervical spine injuries involving disc herniation compressing the cord, ACDF is a common surgical approach. The surgeon accesses the cervical spine from the front of the neck, removes the damaged disc, decompresses the cord and nerve roots, and inserts a bone graft or synthetic cage to maintain disc height and promote fusion. ACDF is typically combined with a cervical plate for additional stability. Adjacent level disease following ACDF is a recognized long-term complication requiring ongoing monitoring and potentially additional surgery.

Long-Term Surgical and Medical Needs

People living with spinal cord injuries face recurring surgical and medical needs throughout their lives. Hardware loosening or breakage may require revision surgery. Syringomyelia — a fluid-filled cavity within the cord that develops in some SCI survivors — may require surgical shunting. Pressure sores from immobility may require surgical debridement or skin grafting. Urological procedures, including suprapubic catheter placement, are commonly required. A life care plan developed by a certified life care planner, in consultation with the treating neurosurgeon and physiatrist, is essential to capturing these future costs in the damages model.

Liability in San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Civil Code § 1714 imposes a duty of ordinary care on any person whose negligence causes injury to another. In motor vehicle-related SCI cases, the at-fault driver, employer if the driver was acting in the scope of employment, and vehicle owner all bear potential liability. Claims against SFMTA for Muni-related injuries require a government tort claim under Government Code § 911.2 within six months. Claims against the City and County of San Francisco for dangerous road or sidewalk conditions are governed by Government Code § 835, also subject to the six-month claim deadline. Missing the government claim deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit against any public entity. Tolling may apply depending on the facts.

Damages in San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal cord injury damages are among the highest in personal injury law. Economic damages include all past and future medical expenses, the full cost of lifetime attendant care (which for complete SCI can require 24-hour coverage), adaptive equipment including power wheelchairs and vehicle modifications, home modification costs, and lost wages and earning capacity. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and the comprehensive loss of physical function and quality of life. California does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases except those involving medical malpractice under Civil Code § 3333.2.

Filing Deadlines for San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Claims

The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against public entities require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. None of these deadlines are self-executing and tolling may apply — contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific timeline in your case.

Attorney Michael Rehm represents spinal cord injury victims throughout San Francisco on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.

San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754