Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating injuries a person can suffer, often resulting in permanent disability, paralysis, and lifelong medical care. While many people associate spinal cord injuries with traumatic accidents, an increasing number of these catastrophic injuries are caused by defective medical devices, dangerous pharmaceuticals, and other harmful consumer products.
When manufacturers put profits over patient safety, the consequences can be devastating. Whether it is a defective spinal cord stimulator, a growing rod system, or a dangerous medication, those who suffer harm at a corporation’s negligence deserve justice and compensation for their suffering.
At Wisner Baum, our spinal cord product liability attorneys have extensive experience representing victims in complex mass tort litigation against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. We have a proven track record of holding corporations accountable when their products cause serious harm, including devastating spine injuries.
If you believe a harmful product caused your spinal cord injury, please call us today at (310) 207-3233 or fill out our free and confidential case evaluation form. Our spinal cord injury lawyers are here to help you pursue full and fair compensation for your losses.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, sensation, or mobility. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain through the spinal column and serves as the primary communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body.
When defective medical devices or dangerous pharmaceuticals damage the spinal cord—whether through direct trauma from malfunctioning implants, compression from drug-induced tumors, or other mechanisms—the results can be catastrophic and permanent.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete:
Complete spinal cord injury: There is no nerve communication below the injury site, resulting in total loss of sensation and motor function.
Incomplete spinal cord injury: Some nerve pathways remain intact, allowing partial sensation and/or movement below the injury.
The location of the injury on the spinal column determines the extent of paralysis and functional impairment:
- Cervical injuries (neck): Can result in quadriplegia/tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).
- Thoracic injuries (mid-back): Can result in paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body).
- Lumbar and sacral injuries (lower back): Can affect leg function, bladder and bowel control, and sexual function.
Secondary Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injury victims often face a lifetime of secondary medical complications that require ongoing treatment and care. Some of the most common complications that arise following an injury to the spine include:
- Pressure sores: Loss of sensation makes victims susceptible to dangerous skin breakdown.
- Urinary tract infections: Bladder dysfunction increases the risk of recurring infections.
- Respiratory complications: Higher-level injuries can impair breathing function.
- Chronic pain: Many victims experience persistent pain that is difficult to manage.
- Spasticity: Involuntary muscle spasms that can be painful and disruptive.
- Osteoporosis: Decreased bone density due to reduced weight-bearing activity.
The True Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
Paying for a spinal cord injury can be incredibly challenging. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime costs for a spinal cord injury victim can range from approximately $2 million to $5.8 million or more, depending on the severity of the injury and the age at which it occurs.
These costs include:
- Emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Surgical procedures and ongoing medical treatment
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assistive devices like wheelchairs or mobility equipment
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Personal care assistance and attendant care
- Medications and medical supplies
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
When a defective product causes a severe back injury, the person suffering should not have to bear the financial burden; the manufacturer should be held responsible for these devastating costs.
What Is Product Liability in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Product liability refers to the legal responsibility manufacturers, distributors, and sellers bear in the event that their product causes injury to consumers. In spinal cord injury lawsuits involving defective products, victims may be able to pursue compensation based on several legal theories:
- Design defects: When a product is inherently dangerous due to its design, even when manufactured correctly.
- Manufacturing defects: When errors during production make a specific product dangerous.
- Failure to warn: When manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings about known risks.
- Breach of warranty: When products fail to meet express or implied guarantees of safety.
Unlike cases involving single incidents of negligence, product liability litigation often involves patterns of corporate misconduct affecting hundreds or thousands of victims. When multiple spinal cord injury lawsuits involve the same product, they may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) or pursued as a mass tort to enhance efficiency.
Examples of Spinal Cord Injury Mass Tort Litigations
Several major litigations are currently underway involving products that allegedly caused spinal injuries and related complications. If you have been harmed by any of these products, you may be eligible to pursue compensation in a civil lawsuit.
Depo-Provera Meningioma Litigation (MDL No. 3140)
Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer, has been linked to an increased risk of developing meningiomas, which are tumors that form in the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. When these tumors develop on or near the spinal cord, they can cause compression, leading to severe neurological damage, paralysis, and chronic pain.
A 2024 study published in The BMJ found that women who used Depo-Provera had an increased risk of developing meningiomas compared to women who did not use the medication. Despite this alarming connection, Pfizer allegedly knew about the risks for years but failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers.
A Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in February 2025. More than 1,200 cases are pending in the MDL, and in December 2025, the FDA approved a label change for Depo-Provera to include a warning about the meningioma risk. According to Depo-Provera lawyers, this change came decades too late for many women who developed these dangerous tumors.
You may qualify for a Depo-Provera lawsuit if you:
- Used Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera, or an approved generic version.
- Were diagnosed with a cranial or spinal meningioma after using the medication.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Litigation
Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) are implantable medical devices designed to manage chronic pain by delivering electrical pulses to the spinal cord. While manufacturers have marketed these devices as safe alternatives to opioids, thousands of patients have suffered severe complications, including lead migration, electrical burns, nerve damage, and worsening pain that requires additional surgeries.
According to FDA data, the agency received more than 107,000 adverse event reports related to spinal cord stimulators between 2016 and 2020, including 497 reports of patient deaths. Major manufacturers, including Boston Scientific (formerly Advanced Bionics or Nalu), Medtronic, Abbott (formerly St. Jude), and Nevro Corp. face mounting lawsuits alleging that they failed to adequately warn patients of the serious risks associated with these devices.
Common complications associated with spinal cord stimulators include:
- Lead migration: Electrical leads shifting out of position, potentially puncturing the spinal cord or surrounding tissue.
- Electrical burns and shocks: Device malfunctions causing painful burns and unpredictable shocking sensations.
- Device failure: Battery failures, software glitches, and mechanical breakdowns requiring revision surgery.
- Nerve damage: Permanent neurological injury including paralysis and loss of function.
- Infection: Serious infections requiring device removal and additional medical treatment.
While no MDL has been established for spinal cord stimulator cases as of late 2025, attorneys are actively investigating claims against manufacturers and may seek to consolidate cases in the future.
Potential Compensation in Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
Those who suffer a spine injury due to defective medical devices or dangerous pharmaceuticals may be entitled to substantial compensation for their injuries. In product liability litigation, each case is evaluated individually, meaning compensation is based on the specific harm each victim has suffered, even if the cases are consolidated into a mass tort.
Damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Past, present, and future costs of treating your spinal cord injury and related complications.
- Lost income: Wages lost due to your inability to work, as well as future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma caused by your injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for activities and experiences you can no longer participate in.
- Loss of consortium: Impact on relationships with spouses and family members.
- Punitive damages: In cases of particularly egregious corporate misconduct involving malice, oppression or fraud, courts may award additional damages to punish defendants.
There is no one-size-fits-all settlement value for spinal cord injury cases. However, given the severity and permanent nature of these injuries, successful cases often result in substantial recoveries.
Resources for People with Spinal Cord Injuries
The following organizations provide comprehensive support, accurate and updated information, and direct assistance to individuals and families navigating life after a spine injury.
National Organizations & Foundations
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation / National Paralysis Resource Center – The National Paralysis Resource Center offers free comprehensive information, peer mentoring, quality of life grants, and specialized programs. Their information specialists help individuals navigate life after paralysis, providing personalized plans covering rehabilitation expectations, equipment exchanges, and peer support networks. The Foundation publishes the free 392-page Paralysis Resource Guide in multiple languages and formats.
United Spinal Association – United Spinal offers a Resource Center staffed by experienced program specialists, nurses, and social workers (many with SCI themselves) who can answer questions about health and wellness, financial assistance, employment, rehabilitation, sports and recreation, and traveling with disabilities. The organization provides free membership, peer support groups nationwide, and has awarded grants to hundreds of individuals with SCI.
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center – The MSKTC creates user-friendly, research-based resources for people living with spinal cord injury, summarizes research findings, and develops fact sheets using plain language. This center serves as an online gateway to resources developed by the SCI Model Systems programs.
Financial Assistance & Grants
Multiple organizations offer financial support for individuals with spinal cord injuries:
Kelly Brush Foundation – Provides grants for adaptive sports equipment like sit-skis and hand cycles.
Challenged Athletes Foundation – Offers grants for training, coaching, and adaptive equipment support.
Triumph Foundation – Helps cover gaps in insurance coverage through programs like the Keep Moving Forward Grant.
Why Choose Wisner Baum Spinal Cord Lawyers for Your Case?
Wisner Baum is a nationally recognized law firm with decades of experience handling complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our attorneys have served in leadership positions in major mass tort litigations and have recovered billions of dollars for clients harmed by dangerous products.
We bring unique advantages to spinal cord injury cases:
- Proven track record: Our firm has obtained billions in jury verdicts and settlements in complex product liability cases.
- Resources and experience: We have the resources and experience needed to take on large corporations and win.
- Medical and scientific experts: We work with leading experts to establish causation and demonstrate the full extent of your damages.
- Compassionate representation: We understand the life-changing impact of spinal cord injuries and treat every client with the care and respect they deserve.
- Nationwide reach: We represent clients across California and throughout the United States.
If you or someone in your family suffered a spinal cord injury caused by a defective product, you may qualify for a lawsuit. Our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to evaluate your case at no cost and with no obligation. We will review your medical records, investigate the cause of your injury, and help you understand your legal options.
Call (310) 207-3233 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
