Phoenix Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
A Spinal Cord Injury Can Change Everything in an Instant.
At Miller Kory Rowe, our Phoenix spinal cord injury attorneys fight for victims and families who are navigating one of the most devastating diagnoses a person can receive. With deep roots in Arizona and a national reputation for excellence, we bring both compassion and aggressive advocacy to every case.
Arizona-Wide Representation
Offices in Phoenix, Tucson & Globe
AZ Board Certified Specialist*
in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
No Cost or Fees
Unless We Win
A spinal cord injury does not just affect the body. It reshapes every part of a person’s life, from their ability to work and move independently to the daily routines their family depends on. When that injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue full compensation for the harm done to you.
Gabriel Kory
Personal Injury Attorney
What to Expect When Working With Us
We understand that whether your truck accident was minor or severe, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Our team will guide you through every step of the process, helping you recover physically, emotionally, and financially while we fight for the compensation you deserve.
1. Initial Consultation
We’ll listen to your story, review available documentation, and provide an honest assessment of your case. This consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
2. Investigation Phase
If we take your truck accident case, we will collect all necessary evidence such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements to build a strong claim on your behalf. When needed, we also work with accident reconstruction and medical experts who meet Arizona’s legal standards for credibility and experience.
3. Claim Development
We’ll calculate the full extent of your damages and prepare comprehensive settlement demands or legal filings.
4. Negotiation or Litigation
We’ll pursue fair compensation through negotiation when possible, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Record-Setting
$28 Million
Psychiatric Malpractice Case in Arizona
With decades of experience and a deep understanding of complex litigation, Miller Kory Rowe stands beside families facing life-altering cases.
Details Specific to Our Phoenix Location
- District of Arizona | United States District Court
- Maricopa County Superior Court
- Phoenix Municipal Court
- Arizona Judicial Branch
Our Phoenix office: 650 N. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
The Scope of Spinal Cord Injuries in the United States
Spinal cord injuries are among the most life-altering injuries a person can sustain. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center’s 2025 Facts and Figures, approximately 18,421 new traumatic spinal cord injury cases occur each year in the United States, representing about 54 cases per million people. An estimated 308,620 people are currently living with a traumatic spinal cord injury in the country.
The financial impact is equally staggering. According to the NSCISC 2025 Facts and Figures data sheet, indirect costs such as lost wages, fringe benefits, and lost productivity averaged $95,309 per year in 2024 dollars, and that figure does not include direct medical and living expenses, which can run into the millions over a lifetime depending on the severity of injury.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury, responsible for approximately 38% of all new cases each year, followed by falls, acts of violence, and sports or recreational activities.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries in Arizona
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. Depending on where and how severely the cord is damaged, a spinal cord injury can cause partial or complete loss of movement, sensation, and bodily function below the level of injury. Many spinal cord injuries result from someone else’s negligence, and victims have the right to pursue full compensation.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Complete SCI — A complete spinal cord injury causes a total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site. Communication between the brain and body is fully interrupted. Recovery is often limited, but rehabilitation, assistive technology, and long-term therapy can help improve independence and quality of life.
- Incomplete SCI — An incomplete spinal cord injury means some signals can still travel through the spinal cord, preserving partial movement or sensation below the injury. Recovery varies widely. Some people regain strength or mobility over time with physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia) — Caused by damage to the cervical spine in the neck, tetraplegia affects movement and sensation in all four limbs and the trunk. Severe cases may impact breathing and require ventilator support. Recovery depends on the level and severity of the injury, and treatment often includes intensive rehabilitation and adaptive support.
- Paraplegia — A spinal cord injury affecting the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine can lead to paraplegia, resulting in partial or complete loss of function in the lower body. Many people can regain some mobility and independence through rehabilitation, mobility devices, and long-term therapy.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Many spinal cord injuries are caused by the negligence of another person or entity. Common causes we handle include:
- Car accidents and truck accidents involving high-impact collisions
- Motorcycle accidents where riders are thrown or crushed
- Construction site accidents involving falls from height or falling objects
- Slip and fall accidents on unsafe or poorly maintained premises
- Defective products, including faulty safety equipment — which may give rise to a catastrophic injury claim
- Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds
- Diving accidents in improperly maintained pools or waterways
- Medical negligence during spinal procedures or delayed diagnosis
Your Legal Rights in Arizona
Statute of Limitations
Under A.R.S. Section 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of your spinal cord injury to file a personal injury claim in Arizona. Do not wait. Spinal cord injury cases require extensive medical documentation, expert testimony, and life care planning. Starting early protects both your rights and your evidence.
Proving Negligence
To succeed in a spinal cord injury case, your legal team must establish four elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- That duty was breached through negligent or reckless conduct
- The breach directly caused your spinal cord injury
- Your injury resulted in measurable damages
Arizona follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that even if you are found partially at fault, you may still recover compensation reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Compensation: What You May Be Entitled To
Spinal cord injury cases typically involve the highest levels of compensation in personal injury law because the losses are permanent and far-reaching. A successful claim may cover:
- Emergency medical treatment, surgery, and hospitalization
- Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- Lifetime medical care and ongoing attendant care
- Adaptive equipment, wheelchairs, and home modifications
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life and loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages if the injury proved fatal
Why Families in Phoenix Choose Miller Kory Rowe
Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex and high-stakes in personal injury law. They require deep medical knowledge, access to life care planners and vocational experts, and the litigation experience to go up against major insurance companies, corporations, and employers. At MKR, we bring all of that to your case.
Engineering-Backed Legal Insight
Partner Teri Rowe combines sharp legal skill with a background in physics and systems engineering, enabling her to break down complex biomechanical and medical evidence and present it clearly to judges and juries.
Top-Ranked Trial Experience
Jeffrey Miller led one of Arizona’s largest civil verdicts and brings decades of high-stakes litigation experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Medical and Corporate Negligence Expertise
Gabriel Kory, a former defense attorney for healthcare institutions, now fights for victims and teaches medical negligence at the University of Arizona Medical School.
You Work with Partners, Not Case Managers
We keep caseloads low so you receive direct, personal attention from experienced attorneys, not handed off to paralegals or junior associates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Arizona
Q: How do I know if someone else is liable for my spinal cord injury?
If your injury was caused by a car accident, a fall on unsafe property, a defective product, a workplace accident, or medical negligence, another party may be liable. Contact us for a free review of your situation.
Q: How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in Arizona?
Under A.R.S. Section 12-542, the general deadline is two years from the date of injury. Given the complexity of these cases, acting quickly is essential to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.
Q: What if my spinal cord injury happened at work?
You may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim against a third party such as an equipment manufacturer or a contractor. Our attorneys evaluate both avenues to maximize your recovery.
Q: How is compensation calculated in a spinal cord injury case?
Compensation accounts for all current and future medical costs, lost income, lifetime care needs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. These cases require detailed life care plans and economic expert testimony to establish the true scope of damages.
Q: What does it cost to hire MKR for a spinal cord injury case?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Real Client Testimonials
Our dedication to achieving successful outcomes for our clients is reflected in the authentic stories they share in our testimonials.
Many of these families came to us after discovering neglect in a nursing home or care facility.
“Teri Rowe and the team at MKR are highly recommended. My family and I went to Teri under the worst of circumstances and she was always kind, comforting, and helpful. Our case was complicated, sad, confusing and frustrating. She managed everything wonderfully. Our family lawyer referred us to Teri because Teri has a reputation for being the best. She definitely lives up to her reputation.”
— Michael Stenoien
“My sisters and I couldn’t have made a better choice by choosing Miller Kory Rowe to represent us. From day one to the end, their empathy, their professionalism and their confidence in our case never wavered. We were given the faith and they kept it. Their approach was completely professional but their concern for our case was equally personal. They took into account every little detail. They valued for us, our family values and ensured justice was done. We now have complete closure that this lawsuit is behind us, we can move forward knowing that we got some measure of justice for the harm done to our mother. Thank you so much Liz, Gabe and Stephanie.”
— Sherrie Dudek
“From our initial consultation to our final settlement. Miller, Kory and Rowe was with us every step of the way. Gabe and team kept us abreast of any updates on the case in a timely fashion and were always, often within minutes of an email, to walk us through what was happening in our case or clarify any questions we may have.
MKR’s compassion and thoughtfulness was genuine and was able to ease our minds in what was a difficult time with the passing of our mom. Gabe’s experience with these cases was very evident in our interactions and we had the utmost confidence in his representation. I would highly recommend MKR if you are ever in need of an attorney.”
— Joseph Shown
At Miller Kory Rowe, we are not afraid to take cases to trial. We are Arizona litigators with deep experience handling serious injury and wrongful death claims for families across the state.
Every case is prepared with the courtroom in mind. That level of preparation strengthens our strategy, builds trust with our clients, and puts pressure on the defense. We work with respected experts, craft compelling exhibits, and uncover the details that help juries understand the truth.
Whether your case involves medical negligence, elder abuse, or another form of life-changing harm, our focus stays the same: clear answers and meaningful results.
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