Spinal Cord and Paralysis Injury Claims in Ohio

A spinal cord injury reshapes a person's entire future — and the compensation must account for a lifetime of changed needs.

The Severity Spectrum

Spinal injuries range from herniated discs to complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia). Even incomplete injuries can cause chronic pain and reduced function.

Catastrophic Costs

Lifetime costs for serious spinal cord injuries can reach into the millions: surgery, rehabilitation, assistive equipment, home modifications, in-home care, and lost earning capacity.

Ohio's Caps and Catastrophic Exceptions

Because paralysis and loss of bodily organ system function fall within the catastrophic-injury exceptions, Ohio's non-economic damage cap generally does not limit these claims. Ohio caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most injury cases at the greater of $250,000 or three times economic damages, up to $350,000 per plaintiff — though the cap does not apply to catastrophic injuries like permanent disfigurement or loss of a limb.

Proving Future Needs

Life-care planners and economists project decades of future expenses. Building this evidence is central to securing a recovery that actually covers a lifetime of care.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Ohio attorney.