Nashville Spinal Cord Injury Medical Malpractice Attorney

Filing a Lawsuit for a Spinal Cord Injury Caused By Medical Malpractice in Tennessee

Paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, or nerve damage can result from many different types of spinal cord injuries. One of the most tragic causes of spinal cord injuries is medical negligence or malpractice.

While doctors and medical professionals are supposed to help prevent injuries, they can sometimes act in a negligent manner, causing more harm to a patient. When this happens, it's important to have a strong personal injury lawyer on your side to pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

At Kinnard Law, we are very experienced in these cases. We are familiar with the unique considerations that apply in these cases, and we know how to get results. With 150+ years of experience and counsel from Board-Certified Medical Malpractice Specialists, we are the team you want on your case.

Contact us at (615) 933-2893 to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients throughout Tennessee.

Accomplished Trial Attorneys in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

We are aggressive trial attorneys who prepare every case as if it will go to court. Many cases settle for a lesser amount after a period of negotiation, but opposing counsel and insurance companies know that we have the courtroom skills to get maximum compensation for our clients.

In March of 2010, Randy Kinnard from our firm won a $22 million record-setting verdict for a woman and her husband in a spinal cord injury medical malpractice case.

While performing surgery to repair our client's broken leg, doctors inserted an epidural catheter that led to a spinal bleed because they failed to take into account the blood thinner medication she was on. The woman was paralyzed from the waist down. We obtained a $19 million verdict for the woman—the largest in Tennessee history in a case of this type. We also obtained a $3 million verdict on behalf of her husband.

The Danger of Medical Error & Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries caused by medical malpractice can arise from various negligent actions or omissions by healthcare professionals. Here are some common types:

• Surgical Errors: Mistakes during spinal surgery, such as improper technique, accidental injury to the spinal cord, or failure to monitor vital signs, can result in significant spinal cord injuries. Examples include incorrect placement of screws or grafts or unintentional damage to the spinal cord during surgery.
• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: If a spinal condition (like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spinal cord tumor) is misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in a timely manner, it can lead to the progression of the condition and result in permanent spinal cord damage.
• Improper Treatment: Inadequate or incorrect treatment of spinal injuries or conditions can exacerbate the damage. This might include prescribing the wrong medications, using inappropriate physical therapy techniques, or failing to provide necessary immobilization or support.
• Medication Errors: Administering incorrect medications or dosages can lead to complications affecting the spinal cord. For example, improper use of anticoagulants might increase the risk of spinal hemorrhage.
• Failure to Monitor: Inadequate monitoring of patients with known spinal conditions or post-surgical patients can result in undetected complications, such as pressure sores or worsening of spinal injuries.
• Birth Injuries: In some cases, improper handling or delivery techniques during childbirth can cause spinal cord injuries to infants. This can result from excessive pulling during delivery, use of forceps or vacuum extraction, or failure to recognize and manage complications during delivery.
• Diagnostic Errors: Incorrect interpretation of imaging studies or other diagnostic tests can lead to improper treatment decisions, potentially worsening a spinal condition.

Regardless of the cause, the victim is left with a lifetime of consequences.

Our knowledgeable medical malpractice attorneys in Nashville offer dedicated personal attention and determined advocacy for clients in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama who have suffered an injury to the spinal cord due to the negligence of a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare professional.

Do You Have a Case?

Determining if your spinal cord injury was caused by medical malpractice involves the following steps:

1. Review Your Medical Records: Start by collecting all relevant medical records related to your spinal cord injury, including treatment histories, diagnostic test results, and healthcare provider notes. Carefully review these documents to understand the care you received and any potential errors or omissions. This will help you identify any discrepancies or issues in your treatment.
2. Consult with a Medical Expert: Seek a qualified medical expert to evaluate whether your spinal cord injury was due to a deviation from standard care. The expert will compare your treatment to accepted medical practices and determine if any negligence contributed to your injury. Their opinion will be crucial in understanding if the care you received was appropriate.
3. Evaluate the Timeline and Treatment: Examine the timeline of your injury and the treatments you received. Assess whether the care was timely and appropriate for your condition. This will help you determine if there were any delays or errors in your treatment that may have worsened your injury.
4. Consider the Cause of the Injury: Identify if specific events or errors led to your spinal cord injury, such as surgical mistakes, misdiagnoses, or medication errors. Determine if these factors contributed to the severity of your injury. Understanding the cause will help clarify if negligence played a role.
5. Assess the Impact of the Injury: Evaluate how your spinal cord injury has affected your daily life, mobility, and overall well-being. Consider the long-term implications for your quality of life and ability to work. This assessment will help you understand the full extent of the injury and its impact on your life.
6. Seek Legal Advice: Consult with a medical malpractice attorney who can review your case and provide guidance on legal options. They will analyze your medical records, expert opinions, and evidence to determine if you have a viable claim. Our team will help you navigate the legal process and seek appropriate compensation. 

Using Experts to Build Strong Cases

One of the keys to getting results in any personal injury lawsuit is expert testimony. Our firm is proud to provide access to a nationwide network of doctors, nurses, and medical specialists who can evaluate your case and help determine who is at fault for your spinal cord injury.

We also employ financial experts who can help us evaluate your case and the long-term damages you have suffered in terms of lost wages, as well as estimating the likely cost of ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, any future medical procedures, and long-term care.

Trust in Our Team at Kinnard Law

If you need the help of an experienced and dedicated team of legal, contact our offices today to schedule a consultation with a respected personal injury lawyer. We care about our clients and care about getting them the compensation they deserve for their suffering.

Call Kinnard Law at (615) 933-2893 to speak with our Nashville spinal cord injury medical malpractice lawyers today!