How Expensive Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

The spinal cord is involved in virtually all bodily movement. Running from the base of the brain all the way to the pelvis, the spinal cord acts as the body’s transmission belt, with neurological signals going up and down the body 24 hours a day. Any spinal cord injury can have dramatic effects on your ability to handle daily tasks and work. Unsurprisingly, many accident victims struggle financially following a spinal injury. At Snyder Heitman, LLC, we remain committed to helping victims and their families defray the costs of accidents and receive justice. Below, we look at some of the costs associated with this major injury.

Average Medical Expenses

Medical treatment is focused initially on stabilizing the spine and preventing the injury from worsening. Multiple surgeries are common. Patients usually need time in the Intensive Care Unit to monitor vital organs.

Once their condition stabilizes, accident victims usually need some sort of therapy, including:

• Physical therapy, which can help a person regain the ability to use their limbs.
• Occupational therapy, to teach victims ways to do daily tasks, such as getting dressed.
• Behavioral therapy to help with the emotional fallout of a catastrophic injury.

The amount of medical care will depend on the severity of the injury. Someone with an incomplete injury will try to regain some function. Physical therapy could help someone strengthen their muscles so they can walk again or use their arms.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, a paraplegic typically needs $700,000 in care for the first year, and around $90,000 for each subsequent year. An injury higher on the spinal cord could require $6 million or more in medical care.

Income Loss

Accident victims may also seek compensation for lost wages or income. The amount will depend on your job, as well as your level of impairment. A surgeon will be entitled to more compensation than a secretary. Someone who can still go back to work with some disability could receive less than someone who is permanently impaired.

For example, someone paralyzed from the neck down will probably never hold a job again. If they made $60,000 a year, then they could qualify for all lost income or wages, along with lost benefits.

Getting the Compensation You Deserve

One challenge with major, catastrophic injuries is maximizing your financial recovery. Many people need millions of dollars in medical care, but the person responsible for the accident doesn’t have nearly that amount of money. Often, spinal cord injury victims cannot receive full compensation unless they are hurt by a business defendant with a large business liability policy.

Reach out to Snyder Heitman, LLC. Our firm knows how to increase the size of settlements. For example, we might be able to sue multiple defendants for an accident where they all share fault. That can increase the amount of insurance available. Some defendants also have umbrella or other policies which can come into play.

Experienced Lawyers for Serious Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are devastating. Families need support, as well as compensation when another person is legally to blame for the accident. Snyder Heitman can help. Contact our Greenville spinal cord injury lawyers for a free, no risk consultation. We also service those in Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina.

Source:

bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.uab.edu/dist/f/392/files/2026/03/Facts-and-Figures-English-03.25.2026-Accessible.pdf