personal injury, personal injury law

When accidents happen, Texans turn to Carabin Shaw—a personal injury law firm with a proven track record and local roots.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Legal Options for Long-Term Recovery

Carabin Shaw | Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Midland & Odessa

A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating consequences an accident victim can experience. It can change your life in an instant—affecting your ability to move, work, or even care for yourself. For many in Midland and Odessa, these injuries happen suddenly on oilfields, highways, construction sites, or in serious vehicle collisions.

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If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. At Carabin Shaw, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has helped victims across West Texas for over 33 years, guiding them through the legal process and helping them recover the financial support they need for long-term care and recovery.

This blog will explain the causes, consequences, and most importantly—the legal options available to spinal cord injury victims in Midland and Odessa.

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What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This damage can result in partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and permanent disability.

SCIs are classified into two main types:

• Complete Spinal Cord Injury: No sensory or motor function below the point of injury

• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Some function remains below the injury level

Depending on where the spinal cord is injured, victims may experience:

• Paraplegia – paralysis of the lower body

• Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia – paralysis of both the upper and lower body

Even a less severe injury can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for long-term rehabilitation. That’s why it’s essential to explore all legal avenues to cover the costs of medical care, equipment, therapy, and lost income.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Midland-Odessa

In the Permian Basin, where oilfield work, trucking, and industrial jobs are common, spinal cord injuries often result from high-risk environments and heavy equipment. Common causes include:

• Car and truck accidents

• 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle collisions

• Oilfield explosions or falls

• Falls from heights on construction sites

• Workplace accidents involving machinery

• Defective products or equipment

• Slip and falls on unsafe premises

• Acts of violence or assault

If any of these incidents were caused by a negligent party—such as a careless driver, a non-compliant employer, or a defective product manufacturer—you may have a valid personal injury claim.

Immediate and Long-Term Consequences

Spinal cord injuries don’t just affect your body—they affect every aspect of your life. Victims often face:

• Emergency surgery and hospitalization

• Months or years of physical therapy

• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, braces, etc.)

• In-home care or assisted living

• Emotional and psychological trauma

• Loss of employment or career

• Strained relationships and financial stress

These are not short-term challenges. The lifetime cost of care for a spinal cord injury can run into the millions of dollars—especially if the victim is young or suffers total paralysis. The financial burden is often more than any family can bear alone. That’s where Carabin Shaw’s legal team steps in to fight for justice and full compensation.

Your Legal Rights as a Spinal Cord Injury Victim

If your injury was the result of negligence, you are legally entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. This includes:

• A negligent driver in a vehicle crash

• An employer who failed to provide a safe work environment

• A property owner who ignored hazardous conditions

• A product manufacturer responsible for a defective tool or machine

In Texas, personal injury law allows spinal cord injury victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages—and in some cases, punitive damages.

Types of Compensation You Can Pursue

When Carabin Shaw takes on your spinal cord injury case, we look at the full scope of damages, including:

• Medical expenses – current and future hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehab, and physical therapy

• Loss of income – including wages lost during recovery and future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering – for physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional trauma

• Loss of enjoyment of life – inability to participate in activities you once loved

• Loss of consortium – impact on personal relationships and family dynamics

• Home modifications and assistive devices – such as ramps, lifts, and medical equipment

• Ongoing care – including nursing services or in-home aides

• Punitive damages – in cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct

We leave no stone unturned when calculating your damages. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation that addresses both your immediate needs and long-term future.

How Carabin Shaw Helps Spinal Cord Injury Victims

At Carabin Shaw, we understand the challenges spinal cord injury victims face. Our attorneys serve Midland-Odessa residents with compassion, commitment, and results-driven legal representation. Here’s how we help:

• Thorough Investigation: We collect evidence, interview witnesses, and collaborate with experts to prove liability.

• Medical Experts: We work with neurologists, spinal specialists, and life-care planners to fully document your injury.

• Aggressive Negotiation: We deal directly with insurance companies and at-fault parties to fight for fair settlements.

• Trial-Ready Preparation: We are fully prepared to take your case to court if negotiations fail.

With over three decades of experience, we know how to hold negligent parties accountable and how to win difficult cases involving catastrophic injuries.

No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We believe that every spinal cord injury victim deserves justice—regardless of their financial situation. That’s why Carabin Shaw works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees and nothing out of pocket. We only get paid when you do.

Why Midland-Odessa Residents Trust Carabin Shaw

For over 33 years, Carabin Shaw has represented personal injury victims across Texas, including countless clients in the Permian Basin. Our reputation is built on trust, local knowledge, and winning tough cases.

• Free consultations available 24/7

• No fee unless we win

• Bilingual staff – Se habla español

• Millions recovered for clients

• Local attorneys who understand Midland and Odessa industries

When your future is on the line, you deserve a legal team with the experience and dedication to fight for what you’re owed.

Let Us Help You Reclaim Your Life

A spinal cord injury doesn’t just affect your body—it affects your freedom, your finances, and your future. But you are not alone.

At Carabin Shaw, we’re committed to helping you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Midland, Odessa, or the surrounding area, we’re ready to stand by your side.

Call us today at 1-800-862-1260 for your free consultation. Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.