Honolulu Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

At Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, our Honolulu spinal cord injury attorneys understand how debilitating and life-changing a serious back or neck injury can be. Addressing such a significant injury often requires a considerable investment of time and resources from your attorney. 

Our legal team operates on a contingency basis, meaning we only collect fees to cover trial costs, expert witnesses, medical expenses, scene reconstruction, and other related costs if you successfully recover compensation.

What Is A Spinal Cord Injury, and How Serious Can It Be?

A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that can result in partial or complete loss of movement, sensation, or bodily function below the site of the injury. These injuries are often life-altering and may require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.

Spinal cord injuries range in severity from incomplete injuries, where some sensation or movement remains, to complete injuries, which may cause permanent paralysis. The level of the injury along the spine often determines which parts of the body are affected.

Common causes of spinal cord injuries in Honolulu and across Oʻahu include:

• Motor vehicle collisions on roads such as H-1 or Kamehameha Highway
• Motorcycle and pedestrian crashes in high-traffic areas like Waikīkī
• Falls from heights or unsafe property conditions
• Diving accidents in pools or coastal areas
• Workplace or construction accidents

Because Hawaii has a large tourism industry and heavy roadway traffic in certain areas, spinal cord injuries can occur in a variety of settings. Immediate medical care and long-term planning are often critical to protecting a person’s health and future stability.

What Are the Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include auto accidents, which are particularly prevalent in Hawaii. These accidents often result from another driver’s negligent actions. After sustaining a spinal injury, recovery can take months or even years, and the individual’s quality of life may change permanently. If the injury leads to quadriplegia or paraplegia, the affected person will face lifelong disabilities.

A variety of medical issues can arise following a spinal cord injury, including:

• Respiratory problems
• Physical disabilities (loss of sensory and motor functions)
• Bowel and bladder issues
• Psychosocial challenges, such as major depression

What Compensation May Be Available After a Spinal Cord Injury In Hawaii?

Compensation after a spinal cord injury in Hawaii may include coverage for medical expenses, long-term care needs, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Spinal cord injuries frequently involve a significant financial impact. Medical costs alone can include:

• Emergency transport and hospital stays
• Surgical procedures
• Ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Assistive devices such as wheelchairs
• Home or vehicle modifications
• Long-term nursing or in-home care

In severe cases, individuals may not be able to return to work or may need lifelong support. Hawaii personal injury law permits injured individuals to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses when another party’s negligence has contributed to their injury.

Because spinal cord injuries often involve extensive long-term costs, careful documentation and accurate evaluation of future needs are especially important.

How Is Liability Determined In a Honolulu Spinal Cord Injury Case?

In a Honolulu spinal cord injury case, liability is assessed by determining if another person or entity did not act with reasonable care, and whether that failure directly led to the injury.

Proving liability generally requires showing:

• A duty of care existed
• That duty was breached
• The breach caused the spinal cord injury
• Damages resulted from the injury

Depending on how the injury occurred, responsible parties may include:

• A negligent driver
• A property owner who failed to correct unsafe conditions
• An employer in certain workplace injury cases
• A product manufacturer, if defective equipment contributed to the injury

In Hawaii, fault may be shared between parties, and compensation can be affected by each person’s percentage of responsibility. Because spinal cord injuries often involve complex medical and factual issues, a thorough investigation is typically essential.

How Can a Honolulu Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Assist with Your Case?

A Honolulu spinal cord injury lawyer can effectively navigate the complexities of your case by investigating the incident, gathering crucial evidence, managing communications with insurance companies, calculating both current and future damages, and pursuing a settlement or litigation to ensure you receive fair compensation.

How our dedicated team can help your case:

• Evidence collection: securing video footage, witness statements, accident reports, and medical documentation related to your spinal injury. 
• Liability strategy: addressing “shared fault” claims, which are often presented in spinal cord injury cases. 
• Settlement negotiation: providing a realistic assessment of current and future losses to maximize your compensation. 
• Litigation support: ensuring the timely filing of lawsuits and presenting your case compellingly in court if necessary.

At Leavitt Yamane & Soldner, we focus on evidence collection, liability assessment, and effective negotiation to advocate for your rights. Your recovery and future are our top priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries in Honolulu

1. What should I do after sustaining a spinal cord injury in Honolulu?

After a spinal cord injury in Honolulu, seek immediate medical attention, follow treatment recommendations, and document the incident promptly. Spinal cord injuries are emergencies, and early care is crucial for long-term outcomes. If caused by an accident involving another party, preserve evidence, obtain police reports, and avoid discussing fault with insurance companies until you understand your legal rights.

2. How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Hawaii? 

In most cases, Hawaii law allows two years from the date the injury occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to file within this time period may prevent you from pursuing compensation.
However, certain circumstances, such as cases involving government entities or delayed discovery of an injury, may involve different rules. Because deadlines can significantly affect your rights, it is important to act promptly after a serious injury.

3. What if I was partially at fault for my spinal cord injury?

Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may still recover compensation if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident.

4. What long-term costs are associated with spinal cord injuries in Hawaii?

Spinal cord injuries lead to significant long-term expenses, including ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and home modifications. In Honolulu and Oʻahu, medical care costs can be high. Individuals with severe injuries may need lifelong support, such as in-home care or mobility aids. Compensation claims typically factor in both current and future costs to reflect the full impact of the injury.

5. Can I recover compensation if my spinal cord injury happened at work in Hawaii?

If your spinal cord injury happened at work, you might qualify for Hawaii workers’ compensation benefits covering medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, if a third party, like a negligent driver or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the accident, you may pursue a claim against them for further recovery options beyond workers’ compensation.

6. How can a Honolulu spinal cord injury lawyer help my family plan for long-term needs?

A Honolulu spinal cord injury lawyer can assess the financial impact of the injury, collect necessary documentation, and seek compensation for long-term care. Legal representation can help create a comprehensive claim that includes medical care, rehabilitation, accessibility modifications, and future stability for both the injured person and their family.

Call Our Spinal Cord Attorneys at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner

If you or someone you care about has suffered a spinal cord injury, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. With the necessary experience, we can provide the legal representation and support you need. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or intentional wrongdoing, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries.

Call us at 808-537-2525 for a free consultation, and start your journey towards recovery.