Advocacy for Spinal Cord Injury Survivors & Their Families
A spinal cord injury can take away a person's independence in an instant, whether it happens in a highway crash on I-10, a fall from scaffolding at a construction site, or an offshore accident tied to the Port of New Orleans. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are among the most severe outcomes of a spinal cord injury, and both carry lifelong physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If someone else's negligence caused the injury, the person affected and their family may be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost income, and the broader toll the injury has taken on their lives.
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we represent people throughout New Orleans who are living with paraplegia or quadriplegia after an accident, along with their families. Our attorneys bring a combined 85+ years of experience to personal injury cases and focus exclusively on representing injured people, never insurance companies.
Call (504) 276-6962 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Paraplegia refers to paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, typically caused by damage to the spinal cord in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral region. Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, affects both arms and legs and usually results from an injury higher up, in the cervical spine near the neck.
Both conditions can be complete, meaning no function remains below the point of injury, or incomplete, meaning some sensation or movement is retained. The level and completeness of the injury generally determine what kind of long-term care and assistance a person will need.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in New Orleans
Spinal cord injuries can and do happen in many settings, but certain causes come up often in the New Orleans area, including:
While these causes are varied, one thing they have in common is that they often arise from the negligent or wrongful conduct of others. When that’s the case, victims and their families have the right to pursue justice, and our New Orleans paraplegia and quadriplegia lawyers can help.
Life After a Spinal Cord Injury
Paraplegia and quadriplegia often require a lifetime of adjustment. Many survivors need wheelchairs or other mobility equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing physical or occupational therapy. Quadriplegia in particular can bring additional complications, including respiratory issues, pressure sores, and the need for round-the-clock attendant care. Families frequently take on caregiving roles themselves or must arrange for professional in-home support, and the financial strain of long-term care can be significant even with insurance coverage in place.
What Compensation May Cover
The compensation available in a spinal cord injury case depends on the severity of the injury and how it has changed a person's life.
Damages may account for:
Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation
Long-term or in-home attendant care
Wheelchairs, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we are committed to securing the full, fair compensation our clients are owed. We prepare every case for trial, because that’s often what it takes to make insurance companies and defense attorneys see we are serious about maximizing our clients’ recoveries.
Fault Isn't Always All-or-Nothing, But Timing Is
Insurance companies handling high-value paralysis claims often look for any reason to argue the injured person shares some of the blame. Under Louisiana's current comparative negligence rule, effective January 1, 2026, that argument only goes so far: a person found 50% or less at fault can still recover a reduced award, but anyone found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing. That threshold makes early evidence gathering, such as accident reconstruction and witness statements, especially important in contested cases.
There's also a clock running and a hard deadline for filing these claims. Louisiana generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years of the date of injury for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024. With a paralysis diagnosis, it can take time just to understand the full scope of care someone will need, but, unfortunately, that timeline doesn't pause the filing deadline. Reaching out to a paraplegia or quadriplegia attorney in New Orleans early on in the process gives a case room to develop properly instead of being built under pressure.
85+ Years of Combined Experience in Complex Injury Claims
Paraplegia and quadriplegia cases involve some of the highest stakes in personal injury law, and insurance companies often fight hard to limit what they pay in claims involving lifelong care needs. Our attorneys prepare every case as though it's headed to court, because that preparation often makes a difference, not only at the negotiating table but also in front of a jury. We've stood up to large insurance companies, powerful employers, and big corporations on behalf of injured clients throughout New Orleans, and we've recovered over $700 million for our clients to date.
When you hire Frischhertz & Impastato, you're not getting just one attorney. You're getting a full team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, all working collaboratively on your case. Several of our attorneys have been recognized by respected legal organizations, including Super Lawyers, Lead Counsel, and Martindale®. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay any attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you or someone you love is living with paraplegia or quadriplegia after an accident in New Orleans, call (504) 276-6962 today or contact us online to talk about what happened and what your options may be.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
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