- A spinal cord injury can change the course of a life in a single moment, whether it happens on Interstate 5, on a trail near Whiskeytown, or in a parking lot in downtown Redding. If this has happened to you or someone you love, a Redding spinal cord injury lawyer at Reiner & Frankel, LLP is here to listen. We hope you never need a firm like ours, but if you do, calm and capable help is close to home.For more than 40 years, we have stood beside seriously injured people across Shasta County and Northern California, recovering more than $600 million for our clients and winning the largest single plaintiff jury verdict in Shasta County history.
We focus on catastrophic injury cases because these claims demand experience, resources, and a willingness to go to trial. If you would like to talk through what happened, we offer a free, confidential case evaluation. Call our Redding office at (530) 241-0290 whenever you are ready.
Redding Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
After almost 5 years of perseverance, hard work and a lot of push back against the insurance company, it gives me great pleasure to say thank you to Todd Slaughter and his staff worked tirelessly to successfully settle my case. Todd and his staff have shown nothing but the utmost care, concern and compassion for my well being. I am grateful and extremely pleased with the outcome. I felt I had an honest, compassionate, experienced and knowledgeable litigator that was willing to fight for me and my case.
~ Delia W.
Why Choose Reiner & Frankel for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
Choosing the right attorney after a spinal cord injury matters as much as any decision you will make in the months ahead. The case may involve complex medical evidence, lifetime care planning, and insurance carriers that bring significant resources to the defense.
You deserve a firm that brings just as much to your side of the table. Here is what sets our work apart:
- Four decades of trial experience. We are trial lawyers first. When a fair settlement is on the table, we accept it. When it is not, we are prepared to take the case to a Shasta County jury.
- Local roots, statewide reach. We know the courts, the judges, the local accident reconstructionists, and the medical experts whose opinions carry weight with Northern California juries.
- A track record in catastrophic cases. We have represented clients with paralysis, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage, recovering more than $600 million on their behalf.
- High-value focus. We are not a settlement mill. We take fewer cases so we can give each client the attention a serious injury deserves.
- Honest counsel from day one. We will give you a candid read on the strength of your claim, even if that conversation is a hard one.
If a catastrophic injury has affected your family, please reach out. A short conversation with one of our attorneys can help you understand your options and what may come next.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that carries signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When it is damaged, those signals can be interrupted or lost altogether. The result may be partial or complete loss of movement, sensation, or function below the point of injury.
Doctors generally describe spinal cord injuries in two broad categories. A complete injury means there is no movement or feeling below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury means some signals still pass through, and some function remains.
Either type can be life-changing, and either may require lifelong medical care, equipment, and support.
After an injury, families often hear unfamiliar terms from doctors and case managers. We help our clients understand what those terms mean for daily life, future care, and the value of a legal claim.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Northern California
Spinal cord injuries can happen in many settings, but a handful of causes appear again and again in the cases we handle in and around Redding. Understanding the cause is the first step in identifying who may be responsible and where compensation might be available.
Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Car and SUV crashes
- Big rig and truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Slip, trip, and fall incidents
- Diving and water-related accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Defective products
- Acts of violence
No matter how the injury happened, our team can investigate the scene, gather evidence, and identify every party who may share responsibility for what occurred.
How a Redding Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help
A spinal cord injury claim is rarely simple. The medical picture is complicated, the financial stakes are high, and the defense will often be coordinated by an experienced insurance defense team.
Working with a Redding spinal cord injury lawyer who handles catastrophic cases gives you a fair chance to be heard. Our work on a spinal cord injury case typically includes:
- Investigating the cause of the accident and preserving evidence before it disappears
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists, treating physicians, and life care planners
- Calculating the full cost of medical care, equipment, home modifications, and lost earning capacity over a lifetime
- Identifying every potentially responsible party, including drivers, employers, property owners, and product manufacturers
- Handling all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on your health
- Preparing the case for trial from day one, even when settlement is the likely outcome
That last point matters. Insurance carriers know which firms try cases and which do not. Our willingness to take a case in front of a jury often produces stronger settlement offers long before a courtroom is involved.
Compensation in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
Under California law, an injured person may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. Non-economic damages address the human side of an injury, the things that cannot be reduced to a receipt or invoice.
In a spinal cord injury case, recoverable losses may include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy
- The cost of in-home nursing care, attendant care, and assistive technology
- Modifications to a home or vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair or other equipment
- Lost wages and the loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and the ability to participate in activities that once brought joy
- Loss of companionship and support for spouses and family members
In rare cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct, under California Civil Code Section 3294, punitive damages may also be available. These are not designed to compensate the injured person but to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior in the future.
Every case is different, and we do not make promises about specific dollar amounts. What we can promise is a careful, honest evaluation of what your claim may be worth.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
California law sets strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, an injured person has two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. Claims against a public entity, such as a city or the state, often must be filed within just six months.
Missing a deadline can mean losing the right to recover anything at all, no matter how strong the underlying case. That is why we encourage families to speak with an attorney as soon as the immediate medical needs are stable.
Early involvement allows us to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and protect your rights from the start.
If you are unsure how much time you have, please call us. A short conversation can answer the question and remove one source of worry from your plate.
What Working with Our Firm Looks Like
We understand that contacting a law firm can feel like one more burden at the worst possible time. We try to make the process as straightforward as we can.
- Your first contact with our firm. When you call our Redding office, a member of our team will listen to what happened. There is no script and no pressure. We simply want to understand your situation and how we may be able to help.
- An attorney reaches out to you. One of our attorneys will follow up directly, often the same day. We can speak by phone, by video, or in person at our office, whichever is easier given your medical situation. If travel is difficult, we are glad to come to you.
- We provide an honest initial assessment. After gathering the basic facts, we will share our candid view of the case. If we believe a claim is strong, we will say so. If we have concerns, we will share those too. You will leave the conversation with a clearer picture of where things stand.
- We build the case and pursue accountability. If you choose to work with us, we begin investigating, gathering records, and preparing a demand to the parties at fault. We handle the legal side so you and your family can focus on recovery.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed. You will know what is happening with your case and why.
A Local Firm with National Resources
Big-city law firms sometimes appear in our community after a serious accident, hoping to sign up clients quickly. They may have impressive marketing budgets, but they often lack the local relationships that make a real difference in a Northern California case.
They do not know the judges in Shasta County. They have not worked with the local accident reconstructionists, the trauma surgeons at Mercy or Shasta Regional, or the rehabilitation specialists who treat spinal cord patients in the region.
We have. Our roots are here. We have also given back to the community for decades, providing child safety seats, bicycle helmets, life vests, and flotation devices to families in our area, because preventing serious injuries matters as much as handling them.
At the same time, our reach is not limited to Redding. We bring in nationally respected experts when a case requires them, and we have the resources to take on well-funded corporate defendants.
You get the best of both: a firm that knows your community and a firm that knows how to compete at the highest level.
FAQs Answered by Our Redding Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Below are answers to questions families often ask in the early days after a spinal cord injury. If your question is not here, please reach out, and we will do our best to help.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
Our firm handles catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no upfront cost to you. We are paid only if we recover compensation on your behalf, and the fee comes out of that recovery. The initial case evaluation is always free.
What if my loved one cannot communicate after the injury?
Family members can often act on behalf of an injured person who is medically unable to participate in decisions, particularly through a power of attorney or court-appointed conservatorship.
We can talk you through the options and connect you with the right resources to move forward.
Can I still bring a claim if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative fault rule, which allows an injured person to recover damages even if they were partially responsible for what happened. The recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured person, but the right to bring a claim remains.
How long does a spinal cord injury case take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some claims settle within months, while others take a year or more, particularly when the full extent of medical care is still being determined or when a trial is required.
We do not rush a case at the expense of fair compensation, and we will keep you informed at every step.
What if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance?
In serious injury cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance often falls short of the actual losses. We look closely at every available source of recovery, including underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, employer liability if the driver was working at the time, and other potentially responsible parties.
Will my case have to go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial, and many of ours do as well. That said, we prepare every case as if it will be tried. Insurance companies know which firms are willing to go to court, and that reputation often produces better settlement offers.
Can I hire your firm if I live outside of Redding?
Yes. We represent clients throughout Northern California and beyond. If travel is a barrier, we can meet by phone or video, or come to you when needed.
Russel Reiner, Redding Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Speak With a Redding Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
Reiner & Frankel, LLP offers personalized legal solutions for people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. No two spinal cord injury cases are the same, and no two clients have the same needs. Our team is committed to helping injured people and their families pursue the full and fair compensation the law allows.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We will sit down with you, listen carefully to what happened, explore every aspect of your case, and help you understand what may come next. There is no fee for the conversation, and what you share with us stays confidential.
Call our Redding office at (530) 241-0290 when you are ready. We are here to help.
Reiner & Frankel, LLP – Redding Office
2851 Park Marina Dr STE 200
Redding, CA 96001, United States
Phone: (530) 241-0290