Not every spine injury looks the same, and they don’t all show up right away. Some people know within seconds that something is seriously wrong. Others walk away from a crash or a fall feeling fine, only to find weeks later that the pain in their back or numbness in their leg hasn't gone away and isn't going to on its own. Both scenarios can lead to years of treatment, missed work, and exorbitant medical bills, and both deserve a serious look at what caused the injury and who should be held responsible.
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we represent people across New Orleans who have suffered spinal cord injuries in car accidents, workplace incidents, falls, and other events caused by someone else's negligence. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there's no cost to bring a claim unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Helping Survivors of All Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
“Spine injury” is a broad term, including a wide variety of different injuries. The cases we take reflect that range.
Some of the more common diagnoses include:
Herniated or bulging discs
Fractured or compressed vertebrae
Spinal stenosis brought on by trauma
Nerve root damage and radiculopathy
Spinal cord contusions or bruising
Chronic soft tissue and ligament damage in the back and neck
In the most severe cases, damage to the spinal cord itself can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, permanent paralysis affecting the lower body or all four limbs, respectively. While all spinal cord injuries are serious, these carry their own set of long-term care and legal considerations.
How Spine Injuries Happen
Any serious accident or traumatic event can result in a spinal cord injury, but some incidents are statistically more likely to result in this type of damage.
Some of the most common causes of spine injuries here in New Orleans include:
A high-impact, rear-end collision or high-speed car accident on local roadways like I-10, Claiborne Avenue, or the Pontchartrain Expressway
A slip, trip, or fall on a poorly maintained sidewalk, defective staircase, or other hazardous property
A workplace accident involving heavy equipment, defective machinery, or repetitive strain on the job
A recreational boating accident or maritime incident tied to the region's shipping and offshore industry
Identifying exactly how the injury happened matters, because it determines who can be held liable and what evidence will support the claim.
Treatment Costs Add Up Quickly
Spine injuries often mean physical therapy, epidural injections, and in many cases, surgery, such as a discectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion. Recovery can stretch on for months, and some injuries never fully heal, leaving a person with permanent restrictions on lifting, sitting, or standing for long periods.
When we build a spinal cord injury case in New Orleans, our attorneys work as a team, drawing on different backgrounds and extensive experience to fully dig into medical records, carefully consult with treating physicians, and account for future care needs, not just the bills that have already come in. We understand the immense impact these injuries have on victims’ lives, and we are committed to fighting for every penny they are owed.
Long-Term Effects of a Spine Injury
A serious spine injury can affect far more than a person's physical health. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, individuals may experience lasting changes that affect their mobility, independence, employment, and overall quality of life. Some people may require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, assistive equipment, or help with everyday activities.
Long-term effects can include chronic back or neck pain, weakness, numbness, reduced range of motion, balance problems, and partial or complete paralysis. In more severe cases, a person may need a wheelchair or other mobility equipment. Some spinal injuries can also lead to complications that require continued medical monitoring and treatment.
The impact can extend into a person's professional and financial life. Someone who previously performed physically demanding work may no longer be able to perform the same duties. Even when returning to work is possible, permanent restrictions may require a different position, reduced hours, or a career change. Lost earning capacity can become a significant concern when an injury affects a person's ability to earn income over many years.
Spine injuries can also place new demands on family members and caregivers. A person may need assistance with transportation, household responsibilities, personal care, or home modifications. These changes can create expenses and challenges that continue long after the initial accident.
When a spine injury results from another party's negligence, understanding the potential long-term consequences can be important when seeking compensation for medical care, lost income, and other losses.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Spine Injury in New Orleans?
Depending on the severity of the injury, compensation in a spine injury case can include:
Emergency treatment, imaging, and surgical costs
Ongoing physical therapy and pain management
Lost income during recovery
Reduced earning capacity, if restrictions become permanent
Costs of assistive devices, such as braces or mobility aids
Pain and suffering tied to the injury and its impact on daily life
Two legal rules shape nearly every spine injury claim in this state. First, Louisiana now follows a modified comparative negligence standard, effective January 1, 2026. Under this rule, an injured person can recover compensation as long as they're found 50% or less at fault for the accident, though the award is reduced by that percentage. Being found more than 50% at fault bars recovery entirely, which is why insurance adjusters often push hard to place blame on the injured party.
Second, it’s important to be aware that you don’t have forever to sue for damages; there's a filing deadline. For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana law generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Older injuries may still fall under the previous one-year deadline. Waiting to speak with an attorney can mean losing evidence, witnesses, or the claim altogether.
Discuss Your Case with an Attorney Today
If a serious spine injury has upended your routine, your income, or your ability to do the things you used to do, call our firm as soon as possible for a free consultation. Our attorneys have recovered over $700 million for injured clients, and we have earned a reputation for never backing down when it comes to securing the justice our clients deserve.
Yes, you may still have a case. Delayed-onset symptoms are common with spine injuries, and a late diagnosis doesn't necessarily disqualify a claim as long as it can be connected back to the accident.
This is one of the most common tactics used to reduce or deny spine injury claims. Medical records and the account of how the injury occurred can help draw a clear line between what existed before and what changed after the accident.
Most personal injury cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it's headed to court. That preparation tends to carry weight during settlement negotiations with insurance companies and large corporations.
When you choose Frischhertz & Impastato, you pay nothing upfront. We handle spine injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so payment only comes out of a settlement or verdict.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
Before You Sign AnythingThat Settlement Offer Isn't Their Final OneIt's Their First One
Adjusters open low on purpose, betting you won't push back. We push back for a living. Let us look at the offer before you accept it — it costs nothing, and it might be the most valuable five minutes you spend on this case.
