{"id":3566,"date":"2026-07-06T07:08:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T07:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spinaladvocacygroup.com\/catastrophic-injury-claims\/catastrophic-injury-claims-common-causes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:20:15","slug":"catastrophic-injury-claims-common-causes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/catastrophic-injury-claims\/catastrophic-injury-claims-common-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"Causes of Catastrophic Spinal Cord &#038; Back Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-secondary-background-color has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"Wheelchair user looking forward with quiet resolve after a catastrophic spinal injury.\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/wheelchair-user-looking-forward-with-quiet-resolve-after-a-c-photo-5.jpg\" width=\"1408\" height=\"768\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Catastrophic Injury Resources \u2014 Florida &amp; Nationwide<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">How Catastrophic Spinal Cord &amp; Back Injuries Happen<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);\">Understanding the causes of paralysis and permanent spinal damage is the first step toward protecting your rights. Our licensed Florida attorneys explain the facts in plain language.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Focused Advocacy for Catastrophic Spinal Injuries<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Bilingual<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">English &amp; Spanish resources<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Florida Bar<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Admitted, licensed attorneys<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Nationwide<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Cases accepted across the U.S.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Catastrophic<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Our sole practice focus<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published July 13, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>Causes of Catastrophic Spinal Cord and Back\/Neck Injuries<\/h2>\n<p>If you or someone you love just suffered a spinal cord injury, one of the first questions is usually the hardest: <em>How did this happen, and could it have been prevented?<\/em> This page answers that question in plain language, using data from recognized medical and research authorities rather than guesswork.<\/p>\n<p>We focus only on <strong>catastrophic<\/strong> harm \u2014 injuries that cause permanent, life-altering impairment such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or lasting paralysis. We do not cover whiplash, sprains, or a herniated disc without a catastrophic complication.<\/p>\n<p>This is a supporting resource. For the broader picture, see our pillar page on <a href=\"\/resources\/catastrophic-injury-claims\/\">catastrophic injury claims<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/person-using-a-wheelchair-looking-forward-with-quiet-resolve-photo-62.jpg\" alt=\"a person who uses a wheelchair looking forward with quiet resolve, catastrophic spinal injury\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What Counts as a Catastrophic Spinal or Back\/Neck Injury<\/h2>\n<p>Your spinal cord carries signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When strong force damages the cord or the vertebrae around it, you can lose feeling and movement below the injury site.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>, the effects depend on where the cord is injured:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tetraplegia (quadriplegia)<\/strong> affects the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. It usually results from injuries to the <em>cervical<\/em> (neck) region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paraplegia<\/strong> affects the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs, and usually results from <em>thoracic<\/em> or <em>lumbar<\/em> (mid- and lower-back) injuries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Doctors also classify injuries as <strong>complete<\/strong> (no feeling or movement below the injury) or <strong>incomplete<\/strong> (some function remains). Medical teams grade the damage using the <a href=\"https:\/\/asia-spinalinjury.org\/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci\/\">ASIA Impairment Scale<\/a>, which many families first hear about in the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the cause is often the first step toward understanding whether anyone else&#8217;s negligence played a role.<\/p>\n<h2>How Common Is Spinal Cord Injury?<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nscisc.uab.edu\/\">National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC)<\/a> at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is the primary source for U.S. spinal cord injury data. Its research consistently identifies a handful of leading causes \u2014 motor vehicle crashes, falls, violence, and sports\/recreation \u2014 as responsible for the large majority of traumatic spinal cord injuries each year. We cite that authority rather than repeating an unsourced &#8220;#1 cause&#8221; claim you&#8217;ll find on many pages.<\/p>\n<p>The categories below reflect those recognized causes.<\/p>\n<h2>Motor Vehicle Accidents<\/h2>\n<p>Vehicle crashes are among the most common causes of catastrophic spinal and neck injuries. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> identifies motor vehicle accidents \u2014 cars and motorcycles \u2014 as a leading cause of new spinal cord injuries.<\/p>\n<p>The physics are unforgiving. A high-speed impact whips, twists, or throws the body, which can fracture or dislocate vertebrae and compress the cord. Rollovers and ejections raise the risk further. In the cases our attorneys review, cervical (neck) injuries from these crashes are common \u2014 and a neck injury can affect the arms, legs, and even breathing.<\/p>\n<p>Motorcyclists, unbelted occupants, and people struck by large commercial trucks face elevated risk of catastrophic outcomes.<\/p>\n<h2>Falls<\/h2>\n<p>Falls are a leading cause of catastrophic spinal injury, and the risk is not spread evenly. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> notes that falls are the most common cause of spinal cord injury in adults age 65 and older.<\/p>\n<p>Falls from height \u2014 off a roof, ladder, or scaffold \u2014 can shatter vertebrae, driving force through the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Even a same-level fall can cause devastating harm when the head or neck takes the impact. Wet floors, broken stairs, and poor lighting are recurring factors. When an unsafe property causes the fall, the owner&#8217;s failure to maintain safe premises may be part of the legal picture.<\/p>\n<h2>Violence and Gunshot Wounds<\/h2>\n<p>Acts of violence, most often gunshot wounds, are a recognized cause of catastrophic spinal cord injury nationwide, per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A bullet or blade can tear directly through the cord. This penetrating trauma may cause complete or incomplete paralysis, depending on the location and depth of the wound. These injuries are sudden, and families are often left facing a permanently changed life with no warning.<\/p>\n<h2>Sports and Recreational Accidents<\/h2>\n<p>Sports and recreation cause many severe neck injuries. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> names diving into shallow water as a common recreational cause.<\/p>\n<p>When someone dives head-first into a shallow bottom, force loads straight down the neck \u2014 an &#8220;axial loading&#8221; mechanism that can crush the cervical vertebrae in an instant. Hyperextension injuries (bending the neck too far back) and high-impact <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">contact<\/a> sports also carry risk. In Florida, with year-round access to beaches, pools, springs, and lakes, shallow-water diving injuries are a real and preventable concern.<\/p>\n<h2>Workplace and Construction Accidents<\/h2>\n<p>Construction, warehouse, and industrial work carries a higher risk of catastrophic spinal injury from falls from height, falling objects, crush injuries, and scaffold or equipment failures.<\/p>\n<p>Importantly, a workplace injury can involve more than an employer. A defective machine, a careless subcontractor, or an unsafe product may create a claim against a party outside the workers&#8217; compensation system. Identifying every responsible party is why the full factual picture matters.<\/p>\n<h2>Medical Negligence<\/h2>\n<p>Not every catastrophic spinal injury begins with an accident. Substandard medical care can cause or worsen permanent nerve damage \u2014 for example, errors during spine surgery, anesthesia mistakes, or a delayed diagnosis of cord compression.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes the harm comes from what a provider <em>fails<\/em> to do: not properly stabilizing a spinal injury, or missing warning signs until treatable damage becomes permanent paralysis. Birth-related negligence can also cause lasting neurological injury. Our firm handles catastrophic cases arising from medical negligence, not only accidents.<\/p>\n<h2>Other Causes<\/h2>\n<p>Pedestrians and bicyclists struck by vehicles frequently suffer severe spinal trauma. Defective products \u2014 a broken safety device or a faulty vehicle part \u2014 can fail at the worst possible moment. Boating and off-road vehicle accidents also appear regularly in Florida. Some spinal cord damage comes from disease rather than trauma; this page focuses on injuries tied to accidents and negligence, where another party may be legally involved.<\/p>\n<h2>When Someone Else&#8217;s Negligence May Be Involved<\/h2>\n<p>Negligence means a failure to act with reasonable care. When that failure contributes to a catastrophic injury, the responsible party may be legally accountable. Concrete, verifiable examples include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A driver who was speeding, impaired, or distracted in violation of Florida traffic law.<\/li>\n<li>A property owner who ignored a known hazard, such as an unmarked wet floor or a broken stair rail.<\/li>\n<li>A manufacturer whose product lacked a required safety guard or contained a defect.<\/li>\n<li>A medical provider whose care fell below the accepted standard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Two Florida legal rules that many national pages leave out<\/h3>\n<p>If a claim falls under Florida law, two rules matter early:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Deadline to file (statute of limitations).<\/strong> Under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099\/0095\/Sections\/0095.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a795.11<\/a>, most general negligence lawsuits must be filed within <strong>two years<\/strong>. Medical-malpractice claims have their own timing rules. Waiting can permanently bar an otherwise valid claim.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Shared fault (modified comparative negligence).<\/strong> Under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0768\/Sections\/0768.81.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7768.81<\/a>, a person found <strong>more than 50% at fault<\/strong> for their own harm generally cannot recover damages. If they are 50% or less at fault, damages may be reduced by their share of responsibility.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This is general information, not legal advice about your specific situation. Deadlines and exceptions vary, so it is worth confirming yours promptly.<\/p>\n<h2>How These Injuries Change Daily Life<\/h2>\n<p>Catastrophic spinal injuries affect mobility, employment, and long-term medical care \u2014 often all at once. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/todays-care\/living-with-paralysis\/stats-about-paralysis\/\">Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation<\/a> estimates that nearly 1 in 50 people in the U.S. lives with some form of paralysis. Behind each figure is a person and a family adjusting to a new life.<\/p>\n<p>Costs mount quickly \u2014 power wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, ongoing therapy, attendant care, and lost income. Understanding the cause early helps families weigh their legal options while evidence is still available.<\/p>\n<h2>Talk With a Catastrophic Injury Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>If a catastrophic spinal or back\/neck injury has changed your family&#8217;s life, our attorneys are here to listen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHG Personal Injury Lawyers<\/strong> is a Florida-based firm. Our attorneys are admitted to <strong>The Florida Bar<\/strong> and handle catastrophic cases nationwide. We serve clients across <strong>Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville<\/strong>, and beyond \u2014 in both <strong>English and Spanish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot promise any particular outcome, and no honest lawyer can. What we can do is review what happened and explain your options in clear terms. <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us for a free case evaluation<\/a>, or read more on our <a href=\"\/resources\/catastrophic-injury-claims\/\">catastrophic injury claims<\/a> resource page.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/person-using-a-wheelchair-looking-forward-with-quiet-resolve-photo-63.jpg\" alt=\"a person who uses a wheelchair looking forward with quiet resolve, catastrophic spinal injury\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What are the most common causes of catastrophic spinal cord injuries?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research authorities such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nscisc.uab.edu\/\">NSCISC<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> identify motor vehicle crashes, falls, acts of violence such as gunshot wounds, and sports accidents like shallow-water diving as leading causes.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a car accident cause permanent paralysis?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. A high-impact crash can fracture the spine and damage the cord, which can cause permanent paralysis, especially with cervical (neck) injuries.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can medical negligence cause a spinal cord injury?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Surgical errors, delayed diagnosis of cord compression, or failure to stabilize an injury can cause or worsen permanent spinal cord damage.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long do I have to file a spinal injury claim in Florida?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099\/0095\/Sections\/0095.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a795.11<\/a>, most negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years, though medical-malpractice timing and other exceptions can apply.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>, paraplegia affects the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs, while quadriplegia (tetraplegia) also affects the arms and hands.<\/p><\/details><footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>This is attorney advertising. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.<\/em><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Leading Causes of Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injuries<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motor Vehicle Crashes<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research authorities such as the NSCISC and Mayo Clinic identify high-impact crashes as a leading cause. Sudden force can fracture vertebrae and damage the spinal cord, resulting in permanent paralysis.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Falls<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Falls from heights, on construction sites, or in poorly maintained properties can cause severe spinal fractures and cord damage \u2014 especially devastating consequences that alter a person&#x27;s life permanently.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acts of Violence<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gunshot wounds and other violent trauma are recognized causes of catastrophic spinal cord injury, often producing complete or incomplete paralysis.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sports &amp; Diving Accidents<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shallow-water diving and high-contact sports can cause serious neck and spinal cord injuries, including quadriplegia when the upper spine is affected.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">A Note on Medical Care<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The information here is educational and is not medical or legal advice for your specific situation. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord or catastrophic back or neck injury, seek immediate medical attention first, then speak with a licensed attorney about your rights.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Talk to an Attorney<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How These Injuries Can Change a Life<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--info\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paraplegia<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Damage to the lower spinal cord can cause loss of function in the legs and lower body, often requiring lifelong care and adaptation.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--info\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quadriplegia<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Injury to the upper spine and neck can affect all four limbs, dramatically impacting independence and daily life.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--info\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Permanent Paralysis<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Complete or incomplete cord injuries may result in lasting impairment that changes work, mobility, and quality of life.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Long-Term Costs<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Catastrophic injuries can bring extensive medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity \u2014 factors that a claim may address.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Why Turn to CHG Personal Injury Lawyers<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Licensed &amp; Admitted<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our attorneys are admitted to the Florida Bar and concentrate on catastrophic spinal and back injury matters.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Empathetic Guidance<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand the weight of a life-altering injury and communicate clearly, without pressure or sensationalism.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bilingual Support<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We publish educational content and offer support in both English and Spanish.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Serving Florida &amp; Beyond<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based in Florida, serving Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, and accepting catastrophic injury cases nationwide.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-secondary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Injured in an accident that caused a spinal or catastrophic back injury? Learn about your options.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn the common causes of catastrophic injuries that lead to paralysis, including car crashes, falls, violence, and medical negligence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":121,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/catastrophic-injury-claims\/catastrophic-injury-claims-common-causes\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": 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