How Much is the Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injury in PA?

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Author: John Mattiacci | Owner Mattiacci Law
Published January 28, 2025

Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are life-changing events that can cause permanent disability, chronic pain, and significant financial strain. Victims often face paralysis, loss of mobility, and diminished quality of life, prompting many to ask: How much is the average settlement for Spinal Cord injury in Pennsylvania?

The average settlement for a spinal cord injury in Pennsylvania typically ranges from $500,000 to over $2 million. Factors such as the severity of the injury, long-term medical costs, lost earning capacity, and the impact on quality of life significantly affect the final settlement amount.

  • Mild to moderate injuries: Settlements often fall between $100,000 and $500,000.
  • Severe injuries: Cases involving permanent paralysis or extensive long-term care can result in settlements exceeding $1 million.

As a seasoned personal injury attorney with decades of experience helping spinal cord injury victims secure maximum compensation, I’ve seen firsthand how settlements vary based on individual case details.

I’ll break down the key factors that influence spinal cord injury settlements in Pennsylvania and provide insights to help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

 

What is a Spinal Cord Injury and How Serious is It?

A spinal cord injury refers to any damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal that can cause changes in sensation, strength, and bodily functions. Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) typically result from accidents, falls, or violent events like car crashes, workplace accidents, or even criminal acts. However, spinal cord injuries can also result from diseases such as cancer or infections.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on both the location of the injury and its extent. Injuries to the spinal cord can result in a variety of conditions, ranging from partial mobility loss to total paralysis. The extent of the injury often dictates the type of care required and, therefore, the overall settlement value.

 

Image of a spinal cord injury

 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are typically classified into two categories:

  • Complete Spinal Cord Injury: This type of injury results in total paralysis below the level of injury. A person with a complete spinal cord injury loses all sensory and motor functions in the affected body parts.
  • Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In these cases, the spinal cord is only partially damaged. People with incomplete injuries may retain some sensation or motor function below the level of the injury, which can vary significantly from one case to another.

 

Levels of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are categorized based on where the injury occurs along the spine. These levels include:

  • Cervical (Neck): Injuries to the cervical spine (C1-C7) often result in quadriplegia (paralysis of both arms and legs) and may require lifelong care.
  • Thoracic (Upper and Mid-Back): Injuries to the thoracic spine (T1-T12) typically result in paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body) but allow for some arm movement and function.
  • Lumbar and Sacral (Lower Back): Injuries to the lumbar and sacral regions may result in varying degrees of paraplegia, affecting the legs and lower body, though some people retain some function in their upper body.

Injury severity can be further classified from mild to severe, and these factors significantly influence the total value of a spinal cord injury case.

 

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What Determines the Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injury?

Several key factors come into play when determining the compensation for a spinal cord injury. While every case is unique, understanding these factors can help set realistic expectations for your potential settlement.

1. Severity of the Injury

The most important factor in determining the settlement value for a spinal cord injury is the severity of the injury itself. More severe injuries typically require a higher settlement to cover the extensive medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, and emotional damages.

  • Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs): This is one of the most severe forms of spinal cord injury. Individuals with quadriplegia require constant care, specialized medical treatment, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. This typically results in the highest settlement amounts.
  • Paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body): While paraplegia does not require 24/7 care, it still involves significant lifestyle changes, long-term rehabilitation, and assistance with daily activities. Settlements for paraplegia injuries tend to be substantial.
  • Incomplete injuries: In cases of incomplete injuries where some function remains, the settlement value will depend on how much the person can recover, how their day-to-day life is impacted, and the cost of ongoing medical care.

2. Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs

A spinal cord injury is likely to involve significant medical costs, both immediate and ongoing. The settlement should cover both current and future medical expenses, as victims often face lifetime medical needs. Here are some of the expenses that can be included:

  • Hospitalization: Initial hospitalization after a spinal cord injury can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Surgical Procedures: Surgeries to stabilize or decompress the spine are often necessary following spinal cord injuries.
  • Rehabilitation: Long-term physical and occupational therapy is often required to help the victim regain as much function as possible. This may continue for months or years.
  • Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, prosthetics, home modifications, and specialized equipment like ventilators or adaptive vehicles can significantly increase medical costs.
  • Home Care: In severe spinal cord injury cases, the injured party may require full-time care from a professional caregiver, or even a family member, which can be expensive over time.

3. Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

A spinal cord injury may prevent a person from returning to their job, or significantly impact their ability to work in the future. The settlement should take into account the lost wages during the period of recovery as well as the future earning capacity that will be lost due to the disability.

For example, the financial impact could be substantial if an individual was a highly skilled worker or a professional before the injury. A person with paraplegia or quadriplegia may not be able to return to their former career, and the settlement will reflect the wages they could have earned if the injury had not occurred.

4. Pain and Suffering

In Pennsylvania, pain and suffering are non-economic damages, meaning they are not tied to actual costs, but they still play a crucial role in determining settlement amounts. Pain and suffering compensation is intended to cover both the physical and emotional toll of the injury. For example:

  • Physical pain: Constant or intermittent pain that results from the injury, including the need for pain management.
  • Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress resulting from the loss of physical function, independence, and the ability to engage in activities that were once enjoyed.

The greater the pain and suffering, the higher the potential settlement. In severe cases, where someone experiences full paralysis or has a drastically altered life, the pain and suffering component may be significant.

5. Age and Life Expectancy

Younger victims are likely to receive a higher settlement for spinal cord injuries, especially when the injury results in long-term care needs. A person who is expected to live another 40 or 50 years after a debilitating injury will require significant financial support throughout their lifetime.

  • Older individuals may have a lower settlement value due to their reduced life expectancy, but their settlement can still be substantial, particularly if the injury prevents them from continuing to work or performing everyday tasks.

 

How Much Can You Expect to Receive From An Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania?

While spinal cord injury settlements vary widely, we can provide a general range based on the severity of the injury.

Injury Severity Potential Settlement Range Description
Mild to Moderate Injuries $500,000 to $1.5 million Injuries like partial paralysis or limited mobility, requiring medical care but not lifelong assistance.
Severe Injuries (Paraplegia) $1.5 million to $3 million Paraplegia or significant mobility loss, requiring extensive medical care and possible lifelong assistance.
Extreme Cases (Quadriplegia) $3 million to $5 million+ Full paralysis, extensive medical care, and the need for lifelong, around-the-clock assistance.

These numbers can vary depending on several factors, including the fault of the responsible party, the injury level, and the victim’s specific needs. For example, someone with a quadriplegic injury that requires full-time care for the rest of their life will typically receive compensation in the upper range of these estimates.

 

Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injury

 

Why You Should Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s crucial to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in spinal cord injury cases. An attorney can help you throughout your claim’s legal proceedings, ensure you receive fair compensation, and handle the negotiation with insurance companies or opposing parties.

Key Benefits of Hiring an Attorney:

  • Expert Knowledge: Personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the factors that affect settlement amounts. They will help assess the value of your case and fight for the highest possible compensation.
  • Access to Experts: Experienced attorneys often work with medical experts, rehabilitation specialists, and economists who can testify to the long-term impact of the injury on your life.
  • Aggressive Negotiation: Insurance companies may offer an initial settlement that is far lower than what you are entitled to. An attorney will advocate on your behalf to secure a fair offer.
  • Peace of Mind: Dealing with a spinal cord injury is challenging enough without the added stress of dealing with a legal case. Having a lawyer handle the details allows you to focus on your recovery.

 

Collect the Compensation You Deserve Today!

The average settlement for a spinal cord injury in Pennsylvania can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million, depending on the severity of the injury, medical costs, lost wages, and the emotional and physical pain experienced. Cases involving quadriplegia or paraplegia often result in the highest settlements due to the long-term care required and the impact on the person’s quality of life.

If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury, consulting with a skilled personal injury lawyer is essential. They can help ensure that your spinal cord injury claim is thoroughly evaluated, your medical expenses are fully covered, and your long-term care needs are accounted for in the final settlement.

Working with the right lawyer can make a significant difference in securing the compensation spinal cord injury victims deserve. Don’t settle for less—contact an experienced attorney today by calling us at (215) 914-6919.

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FAQs About the Average Settlement for Spinal Cord Injuries

How much can I expect to receive for a spinal cord injury settlement in Pennsylvania?

The settlement amount for a spinal cord injury in Pennsylvania can range widely, typically between $500,000 to $5 million depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. More severe cases, such as quadriplegia, typically result in higher settlements due to the long-term care needs and lifelong disabilities.

What factors influence the settlement amount for a spinal cord injury?

Several key factors influence the settlement amount:

Severity of the injury (quadriplegia vs. paraplegia)
Medical expenses (hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation)
Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
Pain and suffering, including both physical pain and emotional distress
Age and life expectancy of the injured person
Liability and fault in the accident

Can I still receive a settlement if the spinal cord injury was partly my fault?

Yes, Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your settlement may be reduced based on the percentage of fault you bear. For example, if you're found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your settlement could be reduced by 20%.

How long does it take to settle a spinal cord injury case in Pennsylvania?

The length of time it takes to settle a spinal cord injury case depends on several factors, including the extent of the injury and whether the case goes to trial. On average, most cases take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to settle. Cases that involve severe injuries or disputed liability can take longer for spinal cord injury victims.

Are spinal cord injury settlements taxable in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, personal injury settlements are generally not taxable. Compensation for physical injuries, including spinal cord injuries, is typically exempt from state and federal income tax. However, any portion of the settlement that is designated for lost wages or interest could be subject to taxation. It’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional to understand your situation.
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