What Is the Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury in Texas?

The Short Answer…

There is no fixed average settlement amount for a spinal cord injury. Every spinal cord injury lawsuit is different, and the amount someone might receive depends on how serious the injury is, how much it affects their life, and who was at fault. Still, settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars and are meant to cover medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and future needs.

At Braker White, we understand how devastating these injuries can be. That’s why we fight to help our clients recover the maximum compensation possible—not just what insurance companies want to offer. Read on to learn what affects spinal cord injury settlements, what types of compensation may be available, and why having the right lawyer can make all the difference.

Key Takeaways

• Victims of spinal cord injuries may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, home modifications, and more.
• There is no set amount for spinal cord injury settlements. Depending on the severity, settlements can range from tens of thousands to several million dollars.
• The more severe and permanent the injury, the more compensation may be awarded.
• Several factors affect settlement amounts, including the seriousness of the injury, cost of medical care, ability to work, and fault.
• An attorney can help investigate your case, estimate long-term costs, and negotiate with insurers to fight for full compensation.

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What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when damage to the spinal cord disrupts the signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This type of injury can lead to partial or total loss of movement, sensation, and even organ function below the injury site.

Because spinal cord injuries can dramatically affect a person’s ability to work, live independently, and enjoy life, the settlement value in these cases is often significantly higher than for other injuries. The more severe and permanent the damage, the more compensation may be awarded to cover long-term needs like medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and emotional suffering.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

• Complete injuries: These result in a total loss of motor and sensory function below the point of injury. Victims typically experience lifelong paralysis. Because of the extreme impact, settlements for complete injuries tend to be among the highest, often including costs for 24/7 care and total loss of income.
• Incomplete injuries: With these injuries, victims may retain partial sensation or movement. Although the outcome can vary widely, settlements often reflect both the physical limitations and the ongoing therapy required.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

• Cervical Spine Injuries: These affect the neck and can cause quadriplegia, leading to full-body paralysis and lifelong care. Settlements are often among the highest due to total loss of independence and income.
• Thoracic Spine Injuries: These impact the upper and mid-back, often causing paraplegia in the lower body. Victims may need wheelchairs and long-term rehabilitation.
• Lumbar Spine Injuries: Occurring in the lower back, these injuries can result in partial or full paraplegia. Settlements often reflect ongoing therapy and reduced mobility.
• Sacral Spine Injuries: Located at the base of the spine, these affect the hips and lower limbs. While generally less disabling, compensation can still be significant depending on mobility and pain.

What Compensation Can You Receive in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?

If you file a spinal cord injury lawsuit, you may be eligible for several types of compensation. These are meant to help you recover from your injury, both financially and emotionally.

Compensation may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, rehab, medication, and any future care you may need.
• Lost Wages: If your injury keeps you from working now or in the future, you can seek compensation for lost income and reduced earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced because of the injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer enjoy daily activities, hobbies, or independence, you may be compensated for that loss.
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: If you need to modify your living space or vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair or other assistive devices, those costs may be included.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases involving reckless or intentional wrongdoing, extra money may be awarded to punish the at-fault party.

An experienced attorney can review the details of your case to help determine which types of compensation you may be able to recover and ensure no part of your claim is overlooked.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Because every case is different, there’s no exact average payout for a spinal injury. But in general:

• Mild to moderate spinal cord injuries—such as temporary nerve damage or limited mobility—may result in settlements in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands range. These cases often involve shorter recovery times and fewer long-term complications, but they can still lead to compensation for medical treatment, missed work, and pain and suffering.
• Severe injuries like paraplegia or quadriplegia often lead to settlements in the millions. These injuries permanently change a person’s way of life, preventing them from working, driving, or living independently. Settlements typically cover extensive medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term loss of income.
• Catastrophic injuries that require lifetime care, including full paralysis or ventilator dependency, can lead to multi-million dollar settlements. These cases often include life care plans created by medical and financial experts to estimate future needs over decades.

The reason these numbers vary so widely is that spinal cord injury lawsuits are about more than just what happened in the past—they’re also about what you’ll need for the rest of your life. From surgeries and therapy to mobility equipment and emotional distress, every detail matters.

That’s why it’s essential to speak with a lawyer who understands how to accurately value your case and fight for a settlement that reflects the true cost of your injury—not just the bills you’ve already paid, but the ones you may face for years to come.

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What Affects Spine Injury Settlement Amounts?

The value of your case depends on how the injury happened, how severe it is, and how it impacts your life now and in the future. Insurance companies may try to offer a quick payout that doesn’t come close to covering your long-term needs.

That’s why understanding the key factors that influence spinal cord injury settlements can help you prepare and avoid being shortchanged.

Severity of the Injury

Complete spinal cord injuries—especially those causing full or partial paralysis—usually result in higher settlements due to long-term disability and care needs. More serious injuries have higher medical costs, higher chances of lost income or reduced earning capacity, and increased pain and suffering. The more severe your injury, the more compensation you may be awarded to reflect the permanent changes to your life.

Comparative Fault

In Texas, your compensation can be reduced if you were partly at fault. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages at all. An attorney can work to prove the other party’s fault and minimize your share of blame.

Punitive Damages

If the injury was caused by gross negligence or intentional harm—such as reckless driving or workplace safety violations—you may be awarded additional damages meant to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior.

Legal Support and Case Strategy

One of the most important factors in your spinal cord injury settlement is the strength of your legal team. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can:

• Investigate your case and gather evidence of liability.
• Work with doctors, life care planners, and economic experts to calculate lifetime costs.
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies.
• Present your case at trial if necessary.

Having strong legal representation often leads to significantly higher settlements because insurers know they’re up against a firm that’s ready to fight. At Braker White, we build each case with care and strategy, because we know what’s on the line for you and your family.

Don’t Settle for Less: Get the Legal Help You Deserve

When it comes to seeking compensation for a spinal cord injury, you need a legal team that’s not only experienced but fully committed to fighting for everything you deserve.

At Braker White, we understand what you’re facing. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping victims of spinal cord injuries in Odessa, Midland, and across West Texas get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

When you work with us, you get:

• Local experience in Texas personal injury law, including spinal cord and catastrophic injury claims.
• Skilled investigators and top-tier experts, including medical professionals and financial planners who can help determine the true value of your case.
• Strong negotiation skills to push back when insurance companies try to offer less than your case may be worth.
• Courtroom-ready representation, in case your claim needs to be taken to trial for a fair result.
• No upfront costs—only pay if we win, thanks to our contingency fee structure that ensures you can access legal help without financial stress.

We’re here to protect your rights, advocate for your future, and help you move forward with confidence. Contact us today for a free case review. There’s no fee unless we win.