Detroit Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer: Long-Term Recovery and Justice

You didn’t expect it. No one ever does. But in a single moment—after a crash, a fall, a violent incident—everything you knew was torn apart.

Now you're facing a spinal cord injury that may leave you paralyzed, in constant pain, or struggling to regain basic independence. Walking, working, driving, hugging your child—it all looks different now. And while your physical recovery may take years, your financial, emotional, and legal burdens are immediate.

At Marko Law, we understand the gravity of spinal cord injuries—and we take them personally.

This isn’t the time to settle for a quick insurance payout. This is the time to fight for every dollar you’re owed.

We don’t just represent spinal injury victims—we go to war for them. We bring in top medical experts, dig through every detail of your accident, and confront the corporations, doctors, or property owners who put your life at risk.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when damage to the spinal cord disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This damage can result from a traumatic incident—like a car crash, fall, or violent assault—or from medical negligence, such as a surgical error.

There are two major types of SCIs:

• Complete Injury: Total loss of function and sensation below the level of the injury. No movement, no feeling—full paralysis.
• Incomplete Injury: Partial damage that may allow some degree of movement or sensation. The extent varies case by case.

Common Outcomes of Spinal Cord Injuries

• Paraplegia: Paralysis of the legs and lower body
• Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: Paralysis of both arms and legs
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Chronic pain and nerve dysfunction
• Loss of sexual function
• Psychological trauma, including depression and PTSD

Who May Be Held Liable

Negligent Drivers

Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of spinal trauma. Whether you were hit by a distracted driver, struck on your motorcycle, or injured as a pedestrian, the at-fault driver—and often their insurance provider—can be held liable for:

• Unsafe driving
• DUI
• Speeding
• Reckless or distracted behavior

Employers (Under Respondeat Superior)

If you were injured on the job—or by someone working at the time of your injury—the employer may be liable. This is known as respondeat superior, a legal doctrine that holds companies accountable for their employees’ negligent actions.

This often applies in:

• Construction site accidents
• Commercial driving injuries
• Unsafe machinery operations

Property Owners (Premises Liability)

Slipped on icy steps? Fell through a defective railing? If your injury happened due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, the owner may be responsible under premises liability law.

Common claims involve:

• Apartment complexes
• Hotels
• Retail stores
• Parking structures

Medical Providers (Malpractice Claims)

Spinal cord injuries can also be caused—or worsened—by medical malpractice. Examples include:

• Botched spinal surgeries
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of spinal conditions
• Failure to immobilize the spine after trauma

Product Manufacturers

Defective or unsafe products can also lead to spinal trauma. At-fault parties may include:

• Car or motorcycle manufacturers (e.g., faulty seatbelts or airbags)
• Safety equipment makers (helmets, harnesses)
• Medical device producers

Legal Grounds for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Negligence and Gross Negligence

Negligence is when someone fails to act with the level of care a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation. In spinal injury cases, this often involves:

• A driver texting behind the wheel and causing a collision
• A landlord ignoring a broken railing or icy stairs
• A supervisor allowing untrained employees to use heavy equipment

When the conduct is especially reckless or indifferent to your safety, we may argue gross negligence, which opens the door to punitive damages—financial penalties meant to punish and deter future misconduct.

Premises Liability

Spinal injuries frequently occur due to unsafe property conditions. Under Michigan's premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to maintain safe environments for tenants, guests, and even some trespassers.

You may have a case if you were injured due to:

• Loose floorboards or carpeting
• Icy sidewalks or parking lots
• Poor lighting in stairwells
• Collapsing balconies, decks, or staircases
• Lack of warning signs in hazardous areas (construction zones, pools, etc.)

Product Liability

When defective products cause spinal injuries, we pursue claims under Michigan product liability law. This includes:

• Design defects: unsafe by design (e.g., a bike helmet that fails in low-impact crashes)
• Manufacturing defects: a product that departs from its intended design
• Failure to warn: no adequate instructions or safety warnings

Medical Malpractice

Some spinal cord injuries happen in hospitals or clinics—a medical provider may be liable if they:

• Severed or damaged the spinal cord during surgery
• Failed to diagnose or treat a spinal fracture in time
• Caused infection through unsanitary conditions
• Gave an epidural or anesthesia incorrectly

Workplace Liability and Third-Party Claims

If your injury occurred on the job, Michigan’s Workers' Disability Compensation Act may entitle you to wage replacement, medical care, and more.

But here’s the critical piece: you may also have a third-party claim—if someone other than your employer (like a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer) contributed to your injury.

Compensation You Can Pursue

Past and Future Medical Expenses

Spinal injuries are among the most expensive medical conditions to treat. We seek full reimbursement for:

• Emergency room and hospital bills
• Surgery, imaging, and medications
• Ongoing care: physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management
• Home health aides or long-term nursing care
• Wheelchairs, braces, and medical devices
• Home modifications (e.g., ramps, stair lifts, accessible bathrooms)

Lost Income and Loss of Future Earning Potential

A spinal injury doesn’t just rob you of your current job—it can end entire careers. We fight to recover:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Missed promotions or job opportunities
• Permanent loss of employment or career change
• Future earning capacity reductions

Pain and Suffering

The physical toll of a spinal cord injury is relentless:

• Chronic nerve pain
• Muscle spasms
• Pressure sores
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Total or partial paralysis

Loss of Consortium and Companionship

Spinal injuries can devastate marriages and family life. You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Loss of physical intimacy
• Loss of shared activities and emotional support
• Impact on your ability to parent or partner

Emotional Distress

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma often follow spinal cord injuries. Whether you’ve lost your independence, identity, or ability to live without assistance—your mental health matters, and we demand compensation accordingly.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases of gross negligence or reckless behavior, such as drunk driving or medical fraud, we pursue punitive damages—extra financial penalties meant to punish and deter outrageous conduct.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

Get Immediate Medical Evaluation and Spinal Imaging

Every second matters after a suspected spinal injury. Go to the ER. Get a CT scan or MRI. Insist on seeing a neurologist or spine specialist. Delays in diagnosis or treatment can lead to permanent damage.

This isn't just about health—it’s about building your case. Medical records are your first line of legal evidence.

Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer

They’re not your allies. Insurers are trained to protect their bottom line—not your recovery. Don’t give recorded statements. Don’t accept early settlement offers. Don’t sign anything.

Let Marko Law deal with them. We know their tactics—and we shut them down.

Keep Detailed Records

• Medical bills, imaging reports, and prescriptions
• Out-of-pocket expenses (transport, equipment, home care)
• Work absence records and lost wage documentation
• Emails, texts, or calls from insurance adjusters or the other party
• A daily journal tracking pain, treatment, and emotional impact

Contact a Detroit Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer ASAP

Your case starts now. Evidence fades. Witnesses forget. Deadlines (called statutes of limitations) are ticking.

At Marko Law, we move fast:

• We secure scene evidence and surveillance footage
• We consult with spine specialists and life care planners
• We build a powerful case while you focus on healing

Contact Marko Law Today

At Marko Law, we represent survivors—people who are struggling not just with pain, but with hospital bills, job loss, and fear about what the future holds. Whether your injury was caused by a reckless driver, negligent property owner, unsafe workplace, or medical provider—we’re ready to hold them accountable.

We don’t flinch at million-dollar claims. We don’t cave to lowball offers. And we never stop fighting until justice is served.

Let us take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing, rebuilding, and living your life with dignity.

📞 Call now for a free consultation:
1-833-MARKO-LAW or 1-313-777-7LAW

📍 Visit our Detroit office:
220 W. Congress, 4th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226

🌐 Reach out 24/7 at: www.markolaw.com