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Spinal Injury Lawyers
Back Injury - Car Accident
The case was set for trial. Stephenson and Rife hired an animation company to prepare a video exhibit to help the jury understand the complexity of the surgery C.M. had to endure. Our attorneys shared the exhibit with State Farm at mediation shortly before trial. State Farm paid $850,000 to settle the case.
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Indianapolis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. McNeely Stephenson is here to help. Talk to our Indianapolis spinal cord injury lawyer about your case. If you've suffered a spinal injury due to someone else's negligence, you deserve compensation for the challenges you're facing.
Traveling from the base of the skull down to the tailbone, the spine is one of the most vital parts of the human body. When it is damaged — in a motor vehicle collision, a fall, or a sports-related accident — the consequences can be life-altering… and life-ending.
The Indianapolis spinal injury attorneys at the McNeely Stephenson law firm have helped many accident victims recover compensation for back injuries caused by the negligence of others. Call (317) 825-5200 for a free consultation.
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What Sets McNeely Stephenson Apart…
Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury
Expenses that Could Be Covered in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
We Demand Payment for All Your Damages
What to Expect in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
We've Built Our Reputation on The Results We've Achieved For Clients
How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Cost?
The Costs of Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injuries
The Expenses From a Spinal Cord Injury Necessitate Tough Legal Representation
Other Spine Injuries
Why Spinal Cord Injury Cases Are Unique
Basics of How The Spine Works
Ask Our Indianapolis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Whether You Have a Case
We're not like other personal injury law firms. We focus primarily on catastrophic injuries. That means we are comfortable with complexity, and we welcome cases against well-funded, well-staffed opponents. Our spinal cord injury lawyers have faced the biggest insurance companies in the business, and we get results.
Mike Stephenson has been recognized by his peers as one of the top attorneys in Indiana. He has been given the highest rating possible by Martindale Hubbell and named a Super Lawyer in Indiana. Mike has handled litigation in 18 states and served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials. Mike and Brady Rife have successfully handled several complex cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries.
Our Indianapolis spinal cord injury lawyers use state-of-the-art software to integrate sound, still photos and moving images, creating powerful presentations that demonstrate the causes and consequences of the serious injuries our clients have suffered. We consult world-renowned experts to help us make our cases to juries.
Our reputation precedes us when we enter negotiations with insurance companies and other attorneys. They know that we are thoroughly prepared and willing to take a case all the way to trial to get our clients maximum compensation. That reputation gives our clients an advantage from the moment they hire us to represent them.
As relentless as we are with the opposition, we are dedicated, sympathetic allies to our clients. Our team prides itself on the exceptional, responsive service we provide. Let us tell you more about how we can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Contact a spinal cord injury lawyer at McNeely Stephenson today by calling (317) 825-5200 or filling out our online contact form. We offer free case evaluations to help you better understand your legal options.
Car accidents account for nearly half of all spinal cord injuries (SCI), and this type of injury causes significant and life-long disability. Each year there are about 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury in the U.S., and currently there are approximately 256,000 Americans living with an SCI.
Spinal cord injuries are categorized as complete or incomplete, and the degree of disability varies accordingly. Generally, the closer the injury is to the head, the more dysfunction the person will experience. When trauma occurs to the high cervical nerves (C1-C4), the following impairments are typical:
Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs; if all four limbs are affected, this is known as quadriplegia.
Inability to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowels or bladder
Requires complete 24-hour care, including assistance in eating, dressing, bathing, and transferring
May be able to use powered wheelchairs
Will not be able to drive a car on their own.
Obviously, the medical and personal care expenses following a spinal cord injury are enormous, both immediately after the accident and for the rest of the patient's lifetime.
At McNeely Stephenson, our spinal cord injury attorneys vigorously assert our clients' right to sufficient compensation for both past and future expenses, relying on analysis from medical experts and life planners.
In addition to doctor and hospital charges, adequate financial compensation for a spinal injury victim also includes expenses such as:
Durable equipment and assistive devices
Lost income, present and future
Household assistance.
These are just a few examples of the many expenses you might be facing. We work closely with our clients to make sure they get compensation that reflects all the challenges they encounter because of a serious spinal cord injury.
Contact the Indianapolis spinal cord injury attorneys at McNeely Stephenson by calling (317) 825-5200 or filling out our online contact form to get started with a free consultation.
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most costly, painful and debilitating injuries imaginable. When you file a personal injury claim to get compensation for the costs – or damages – you are facing, you should factor in all the financial consequences of your injury, such as medical bills or lost income.
However, the damages you are facing encompass much more than the financial costs of your spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries impact a person's ability to perform routine tasks. They affect our relationships and enjoyment of life. A spinal cord injury victim might face severe depression, anxiety, PTSD and a diminished quality of living.
A skilled, experienced spinal injury lawyer knows how important it is to demand payment for all of the consequences of an injury. We will not only pursue payment for the financial damages you are owed, but also the non-economic damages, such as mental and physical pain and suffering.
When we accept a client's case, we get to know them and their loved ones, so we can determine the toll an injury has had on their lives. These injuries can have tragic impacts on people's relationships, families and communities. Once we know the full extent of our client's suffering, we can then determine how much we should demand from the at-fault party and their insurance company.
Once you hire McNeely Stephenson to handle your case, you will hand off all aspects of your claim to our team. We will file paperwork, build your case, correspond with insurance companies and other attorneys, interview witnesses and consult world-class experts.
We will demand payment that reflects all of the hardships you are facing. Typically, we begin negotiating with the other side if they are willing to cooperate and meet our demands. If we reach an agreement with the other side, then the case will result in a settlement. If no settlement is possible or if an offer fails to meet your needs, then we will take the case to trial.
At McNeely Stephenson, we prepare every case to go to trial. Doing so lets the other side know we are willing to take a case all the way, if necessary. This allows us to come to the negotiating table from a position of strength. Though most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, we know how important it is to be thoroughly prepared.
Once we obtain a settlement or a verdict, you will start receiving payment for your injury. When these payments begin and how they are structured depends of the circumstances of your case and the terms agreed to by both sides.
Every case is different. If you want to know more about how your case might unfold, we encourage you to contact the Indianapolis spinal cord injury attorneys at McNeely Stephenson to schedule a free consultation with our team. We know how to get our clients results.
Call McNeely Stephenson by calling (317) 825-5200 or filling out our online contact form to get started.
Reputation matters in the legal field. Though there are countless attorneys and several courts, the parties involved in these lawsuits frequently encounter the same names and faces. One of the major benefits of working with McNeely Stephenson is our reputation. Insurance companies and other attorneys know that the attorneys at McNeely Stephenson will be prepared, aggressive and relentless in protecting our client's interests.
When you hire McNeely Stephenson, you aren't just hiring our legal team — you're also putting our resources and our reputation to work for you. Let us fight for you, so we can get you the compensation you deserve. Get started today by filling out our online contact form or calling (317)-825-5200.
Though attorneys can choose how they want to be paid, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means that we get paid only if we win your case. If your claim is unsuccessful, our services cost nothing. If we win you compensation, we will take our fee out of the verdict or settlement.
We are confident in our team's ability to earn you compensation. We also want to ensure that you don't pay the price for an unsuccessful claim. By working on a contingency fee, we put the burden on us to win your case. We also eliminate the possibility of our clients being burdened financially.
Spinal injuries are one of the leading causes of paralysis. The Reeve Foundation said that 1.2 million people in the U.S. are currently living with paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. The most common causes of these injuries are vehicle accidents, falls, sports and recreational activities, medical and surgical procedures, and violence.
Paralysis is incredibly expensive. Lifetime costs of living with paralysis depend on the severity of the injury and the age of the sufferer. For example, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that the direct lifetime costs of a complete tetraplegia (total loss of all limbs) is $4,729,788. That doesn't include indirect costs such as loss of productivity and loss of income.
Paralysis can be debilitating and life-altering due to both the physical changes in your body and the costs of treatment. If your injury was caused by neglectful actions of others, you may have a legal claim. Contact an Indianapolis spinal injury lawyer at McNeely Stephenson by calling (317)-825-5200 for help today.
Consider the extreme costs of a spinal cord injury. The direct costs in the first year of these injuries can range from approximately $347,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the severity of the injury, according to the Reeve Foundation.
People with severe spinal injuries require ongoing medical care, assistive medical devices and accessibility modifications around the home. Unfortunately, the ability to earn adequate income is greatly impaired by a spinal cord injury. The NSCISC reports that after one year of a spinal injury, only 12 percent of SCI patients are employed. This makes coping with the high costs of a spinal cord injury even more difficult.
When a spinal cord injury sufferer files a personal injury claim to receive compensation, they need aggressive legal representation that will fight to get them the payment they deserve. Mike Stephenson has a reputation for being a fierce advocate for his clients. If you have experienced a debilitating injury, contact an Indianapolis spinal cord injury lawyer at McNeely Stephenson to learn more about how we hold negligent parties accountable for the damages our clients have suffered. Call us at (317)-825-5200.
Accidents can also cause injuries that are less severe than spinal cord injury but are still very painful and disabling. One of the most common injuries sustained in highway collisions is whiplash, caused by quick and jarring movement of the neck.
The bones of the spinal column may be fractured by a forceful impact. Spinal fractures may be treated non-surgically with a brace or may require surgical procedures and the insertion of metal screws, rods and cages. In addition to the risk of spinal fluid leaks, these surgeries are subject to the same complications as other surgical procedures, including blood clots and infection.
Sudden traumatic force may also cause injury to the material between vertebrae, or herniated disks. The pain associated with a herniated disk ranges from slight to debilitating, is usually intensified by movement, and typically occurs along the sciatic nerve, down the back of the leg. A herniated disk may also cause numbness, muscle weakness and paralysis. Read more about how our attorneys help clients with back injury claims.
Not every personal injury case is the same. The damages in a spinal cord injury case are often more significant than injuries involving soft-tissue damage or minor fractures. The lifetime costs of a serious spinal injury can range up to several million dollars. These injuries are often permanent, and a sufferer will be forced to change their life in fundamental ways. They may no longer be able to work or perform basic, routine tasks.
There is a lot at stake in a case involving a spinal injury, so it's important to find an attorney with experience handling these cases and a track record of success. If an inexperienced attorney handles your case, you might end up accepting far less than you need and deserve. The insurance company and at-fault party will gladly offer settlements when they know that an injury is worth far more. Don't make the mistake of hiring an attorney who doesn't have experience with these cases.
A skilled spinal cord injury lawyer knows that a successful case requires a great deal of time, effort and dedication. When a client has an injury as catastrophic as a spinal injury, they deserve compensation that will help them cope with the lifetime costs, including ongoing medical care, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
We Know the Impact of a Serious Spinal Cord Injury
The Indianapolis spinal cord injury lawyers at McNeely Stephenson understand what you've been through. We know that these injuries impact not just the injured person, but also their families, loved ones and communities. We won't settle for less than you deserve.
Contact McNeely Stephenson today at (317)-825-5200 to schedule a free consultation.
The spine is composed of small bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. They are generally thought of as being in three sections: the cervical spine, from the skull to the upper chest; the thoracic spine, from the upper chest to the middle back; and the lumbar vertebrae, from the middle to the lower back.
The vertebrae create a channel for the spinal cord, which carries messages from the brain throughout the body.
Between the vertebrae are flexible disks which act as shock absorbers and contain many nerve endings, as well as facet joints which assist in movement.
Muscles and ligaments are necessary to provide support and keep the spinal column in proper alignment. Trauma to any one of these parts of the spine can hamper natural movement, cause extreme pain and disability, and impair one's earning ability and enjoyment of life.
If your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, then you should consider your legal options. In some cases, determining the fault of another party is an easy task. For example, if you were struck by a drunk driver, the at-fault or negligent party is the intoxicated driver. If an employer failed to ensure the safety of the equipment you were using on the job and you suffered a spinal cord injury as a result, then your employer can be held accountable for your damages. Determining fault can be complex in certain situations, and an Indianapolis spinal cord injury attorney can help you figure out who is responsible.
If you aren't sure who was at fault for your injury or whether you have a viable spinal injury claim, that shouldn't prevent you from exploring your options.
We take the hard cases – and win them! Free consultation, no obligation. At McNeely Stephenson, we offer free consultations, call us at (317)-825-5200 so we can learn more about your case and help you figure out a path forward. We offer free consultations.
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We take the hard cases – and win them! Free consultation, no obligation.
more about spinal cord injuries
Paralyzing Injuries
Indiana Spinal Cord Injuries
real-life cases
We have won numerous multi-million dollar cases for our clients.
See examples of how we helped clients whose lives were turned upside down by reckless or negligent acts of others. We took on negligent county officials when D.H. flew over his handlebars while riding on a bridge left in disrepair for years. We brought justice to the family of of J.M. and his wife after a defective tire ended their lives. We held a drunk driver and those who served him alcohol accountable when he seriously injured B.K., who also lost three family members in a crash.
Read more examples of how we get justice and compensation for our clients.
Indiana Spine Injury Attorneys
Located in Indianapolis, the McNeely Stephenson law firm has been successfully representing Indiana accident victims since 1982. See our Case Results page to read about "C.M.," a client who suffered a low back injury in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver and had to have multi-level fusion surgery. We were prepared to take his case to the jury, but were able to obtain an $850,000 settlement shortly before trial was to begin.
If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal injury — in a car or truck crash, a workplace accident, a sports competition or a diving accident — which was due to the negligence of another person, business or manufacturer, let the resources and experience of McNeely Stephenson put you on the path to justice and financial security. Use the convenient online contact form or call 317-825-5200.
January 2, 2020 / Wrongful Death
Who gets the money in a wrongful death settlement?
Many family members are grieving after the death of a loved one, and those feelings are heightened if the person was killed in a vehicle accident or other wrongful death event. After initial confusion and sadness subside, family members can begin to ask questions like "who gets the money in a wrongful death settlement?" The role of attorneys in the wrongful death settlement process is to help navigate the legal system to ensure that you ...
How Many Truck Accidents Happen Annually?
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
AWARDED. CREDENTIALED. PROVEN.
Mike Stephenson is a Super Lawyer in Indiana along with many of his peers at McNeely Stephenson. This is one of the highest honors an attorney can achieve
The AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell is the HIGHEST RATING and considered a significant accomplishment. It is a peer-reviewed process reflecting that other attorneys rank Mike Stephenson at the highest possible level of professional excellence.
Attorney Mike Stephenson is a proud member of The Litigation Counsel of America's Honorary Society. A close-knit, peer-selected, and aggressively diverse honorary society of 3,500 of the "best trial lawyers" in the country. Less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, vigorously vetted for skills, expertise, and service; an invitation-only collegial network.
The American Board of Trial Advocates is an invitation-only organization for attorneys of "high personal character and honorable reputation." ABOTA works for the preservation of the civil jury trial, "Justice by the People," and supports the right of a jury trial.
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers. Membership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys. Indiana attorney Mike Stephenson is proud to be included in this national organization of top trial lawyers.
Our attorneys are proven advocates and trial attorneys. They have served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and have handled litigation in 18 states
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