Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer | Englander Peebles
If you’re searching for a Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer, you’re likely facing a serious medical diagnosis and a long list of questions. Spinal cord injuries can disrupt mobility, limit independence, and create immediate financial strain—from hospital stays to time away from work.
Whether your injury came from a crash on I-95, a fall at a local business, or a surgical error, you deserve straightforward answers and legal support from a team that knows what’s at stake.
Englander Peebles helps individuals and families throughout Fort Lauderdale and Miami pursue compensation after spinal trauma. Call (954) 500-4878 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Englander Peebles for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
After a spinal cord injury, the law firm you choose matters. Englander Peebles provides direct attorney access, legal strategies backed by real courtroom experience, and a commitment to cases involving life-changing trauma.
Located in Fort Lauderdale, the firm understands local courts, hospitals, and insurers—critical knowledge when handling serious injury claims. The attorneys have handled cases involving paralysis, mobility loss, and long-term neurological damage. While no result is ever guaranteed, every case receives the focused attention it needs.
Clients pay nothing upfront. Legal fees apply only if compensation is recovered. This contingency fee model complies with Florida Bar rules and helps reduce financial pressure during recovery.
What Qualifies as a Spinal Cord Injury in a Florida Injury Claim?
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) disrupt the nerve communication between the brain and the rest of the body. These injuries can result in lasting disabilities and emotional trauma.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms may include:
- Loss of movement or sensation (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
- Chronic pain or muscle spasms
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Breathing difficulties
- Sexual dysfunction
Florida law allows personal injury claims even when the injury is not classified as “permanent.” However, for motor vehicle accident cases, recovery of non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering—generally requires proof of a permanent injury under Florida’s no-fault law (PIP statute).
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
Many spinal injuries in Broward County result from preventable accidents. These incidents often involve someone else’s negligence or failure to follow safety regulations.
1. Car and Motorcycle Accidents
Vehicle collisions remain one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in Florida. Whether it’s a rear-end crash on U.S. 1 or a motorcycle accident on the Turnpike, the force of impact in a traffic collision can severely damage the spine.
In fact, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that motor vehicle crashes account for nearly 40% of all spinal cord injuries nationwide—making them the single leading cause across age groups.
2. Falls on Dangerous Property
Accidents involving hazardous conditions such as uneven surfaces, broken railings, or poorly maintained areas frequently lead to spinal injuries. Under Florida premises liability law, property owners may be liable if they failed to correct a known hazard.
3. Workplace Accidents
Construction workers, roofers, and delivery drivers face a higher risk of spinal injuries due to falls or heavy equipment accidents. These cases may involve both workers’ compensation and third-party injury claims.
4. Medical Negligence
Improper spinal surgeries, delayed diagnoses, or anesthesia errors can lead to preventable spinal cord injuries. These types of medical mistakes may cause long-term complications when providers fail to follow established standards of care during spine-related procedures.
When that happens, the resulting damage may give rise to a medical malpractice claim. These cases require a pre-suit investigation, expert certification, and may have a statute of limitations that begins upon discovery of the injury rather than the date of the incident.
What Compensation Can a Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Pursue?
When a spinal cord injury results from someone else’s negligence, the financial and emotional costs often extend far beyond the initial trauma. Under Florida law, individuals suffering from a spinal cord injury in Fort Lauderdale may be entitled to pursue both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim.
A Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury attorney evaluates the full scope of losses—not just emergency medical care, but the long-term impact on daily life and future health.
This includes compensation for hospital bills, surgical procedures, and rehabilitation services, as well as ongoing needs like in-home care, assistive equipment, and specialized therapy. Many individuals also require modifications to their homes or vehicles to maintain some level of independence.
Lost wages are another major factor, particularly if your spinal cord injury limits your ability to return to work or forces a permanent career change. A strong claim also considers reduced earning capacity in the years ahead.
These claims also account for emotional losses—such as pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life— that often come with permanent changes in mobility, independence, and relationships.
In certain situations, additional punitive damages may apply if the at-fault party’s actions rise to the level of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. While not common, these damages are meant to punish extreme behavior and deter similar future conduct.
What to Do After a Spinal Injury—Once You’re Home From the Hospital
You’ve left the ER or trauma unit. What happens next?
The period after discharge is one of the most important for building a spinal cord injury claim in Florida. These steps can help protect your case while you focus on recovery:
- Start a recovery journal – Track how the injury affects your daily life. Record pain levels, sleep issues, mobility limitations, emotional struggles, and medical appointments. These personal details may help support claims for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Collect bills and receipts – Keep all documentation related to treatment and expenses. This includes hospital bills, prescriptions, rehab sessions, medical equipment, transportation costs, and any modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Request full medical records – Ask for copies of all relevant documentation, including MRI results, surgical notes, therapy reports, and follow-up evaluations. These records show the extent of your spinal cord injury and may serve as key evidence.
- Limit social media use – Insurance companies often review social media activity. Photos or comments—even harmless ones—can be used to dispute the seriousness of your injuries or suggest you’re more active than claimed.
- Contact a Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer –The statute of limitations in Florida for personal injury claims is 2 years. Certain exceptions may extend the two-year deadline, such as cases involving minors, incapacitation, or delayed discovery of the injury. Delaying legal action could affect your ability to recover compensation. An attorney can help you take the right steps early in the process.
How a Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Builds Your Case
Initial Investigation and Case Assessment
The first step involves gathering facts. Your attorney will review police reports, incident documentation, and medical records. For workplace or property-related injuries, this may include OSHA reports or building code violations. In medical cases, hospital protocols and treatment notes are examined.
Collecting and Organizing Medical Evidence
Your legal team will obtain all relevant records from hospitals, surgeons, and therapists. This includes diagnostic tests, surgical notes, physical therapy progress reports, and long-term treatment recommendations.
Collaborating with Experts and Life Care Planners
In complex or high-value cases, your Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer may work with medical experts to explain the severity and permanence of your injury, vocational experts to assess your ability to work, and life care planners to estimate future care costs. These professionals help establish the long-term financial impact of your injury.
Claim Negotiation and Litigation Readiness
Once the case is built, your attorney enters negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company. If the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer, your lawyer will file a lawsuit, prepare for trial, and present the evidence before a jury if needed.
Navigating Insurance Companies After a Spinal Cord Injury
Early Settlement Offers and Their Risks
Insurers often contact spinal injury victims early, offering a quick settlement. These offers usually cover immediate expenses—but ignore future surgeries, rehabilitation, or long-term disability. Accepting them may waive your right to seek full compensation later.
Common Insurance Tactics That Can Undermine a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
- Suggesting your injury was pre-existing
- Minimizing the severity of the injury
- Delaying responses or document requests
- Pressuring you to provide a recorded statement
These tactics are designed to reduce the insurer’s payout, not to ensure your long-term wellbeing.
How Legal Representation Changes the Process
When you work with a Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer, they take over communication with the insurance company entirely. This includes responding to requests, managing correspondence, and preventing unnecessary delays.
Your attorney will also handle documentation with care—submitting only what is relevant and necessary to support your claim. They focus on presenting evidence that reflects the full scope of your damages, including long-term medical needs, future care costs, and lost earning potential.
Throughout the process, your lawyer works to protect you from insurance tactics designed to reduce your compensation or undermine your claim. That includes shielding you from pressure to settle early or make statements that may be used against you later.
With legal representation, you’re free to focus on your recovery without the added stress of dealing directly with adjusters or defending the legitimacy of your injury.
FAQ for Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
How do I know if I have a valid spinal cord injury claim in Florida?
If your spinal cord injury resulted from someone else’s negligence—such as a car accident, fall on unsafe property, or a medical error—you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. A Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer can evaluate the facts, medical records, and applicable laws to determine your legal options.
What is the time limit to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Florida?
As of 2023, Florida law gives most personal injury victims two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. This deadline applies under the revised statute of limitations in HB 837. If you miss this deadline, you could lose the right to pursue compensation.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes, although certain limitations apply. Florida adheres to a modified comparative fault rule, which bars recovery of damages if you are determined to be more than 50% responsible for the accident. If your degree of fault is 50% or less, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault.
What types of damages can I recover in a spinal cord injury case?
A spinal cord injury claim in Florida may include compensation for medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, rehabilitation, in-home care, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the conduct was especially reckless.
Does a spinal cord injury lawyer charge upfront fees?
Most spinal cord injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, including Englander Peebles, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay any legal fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. This allows injured individuals to get legal help without worrying about immediate costs.
What if my spinal cord injury was caused by a doctor or hospital?
In that case, you may have a medical malpractice claim. These cases follow different procedures, including a required pre-suit investigation under Florida’s medical negligence statutes. A lawyer familiar with spinal cord injuries and Florida malpractice law can guide you through the process.
Get Legal Help From a Fort Lauderdale Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm That Cares
At Englander Peebles, our legal team supports spinal cord injury victims in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida by handling the legal challenges following serious trauma. If you’re recovering in a hospital or adapting to life with limited mobility, you don’t have to face this process alone.
Regardless of whether your injury resulted from a vehicle collision, a fall, or medical negligence, the firm is ready to pursue the compensation you deserve under Florida law. Call (954) 500-4878 today to schedule your free case evaluation.