Chandler Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries in Chandler often result from car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, or medical negligence, causing partial or complete paralysis that permanently alters a victim’s life. These catastrophic injuries typically require lifelong medical care, specialized equipment, home modifications, and around-the-clock assistance that can cost millions of dollars over a lifetime. Arizona law allows spinal cord injury victims to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs when another party’s negligence caused the injury.

Most spinal cord injury cases in Chandler involve complex medical evidence, multiple liable parties, and insurance companies that aggressively dispute the full extent of damages to minimize their payout. The difference between hiring an experienced attorney and handling a claim alone can mean hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in compensation, particularly when future care needs must be calculated and proven. Insurance adjusters know that unrepresented victims rarely understand the true value of their claim or have the resources to fight for maximum compensation through litigation.

Wrongful Death Trial Attorney LLC represents spinal cord injury victims throughout Chandler with the medical expertise, litigation experience, and financial resources necessary to hold negligent parties accountable for the devastating harm they caused. Our team works with leading medical specialists, life care planners, and economists to document every aspect of your injuries and future needs, building cases that secure the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (480) 420-0500 or complete our online form for a free consultation about your spinal cord injury claim.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Impact

A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages the bundle of nerves inside the spinal column that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. These injuries range from incomplete injuries where some function remains below the injury site to complete injuries that result in total loss of sensation and movement. The severity and location of the injury determine whether a victim experiences paraplegia affecting the legs and lower body or tetraplegia affecting all four limbs and the torso.

The immediate aftermath of a spinal cord injury involves emergency stabilization, often including surgery to remove bone fragments, repair herniated discs, or stabilize the spine with rods and screws. Victims then face months of intensive inpatient rehabilitation learning to adapt to their new physical limitations while managing complications like pressure sores, infections, blood clots, and respiratory problems. Even after initial recovery, spinal cord injury survivors require ongoing medical monitoring, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support to maintain their health and quality of life.

Beyond the physical challenges, spinal cord injuries devastate every aspect of a victim’s life including their ability to work, maintain relationships, participate in activities they once enjoyed, and live independently. Many victims require modifications to their homes such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, roll-in showers, and specialized beds that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The emotional toll of adjusting to permanent disability while facing an uncertain future creates mental health challenges that require professional support and often lifelong treatment.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Chandler

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents, truck collisions, and motorcycle crashes represent the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in Chandler, particularly when high-speed impacts create violent force that fractures vertebrae or dislocates spinal segments. Rear-end collisions can cause whiplash severe enough to damage the cervical spine, while T-bone crashes often result in rotational forces that twist and compress the spinal column. Head-on collisions at intersections along major Chandler roads like Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue frequently produce the catastrophic force necessary to sever or severely damage the spinal cord.

Liability in vehicle accident spinal cord injury cases often extends beyond the at-fault driver to include vehicle manufacturers when defective seatbelts or airbags fail to protect occupants, employers when commercial drivers violate safety regulations, and bars or restaurants that overserve intoxicated drivers under Arizona’s dram shop laws. Gathering evidence immediately after these accidents is critical because skid marks fade, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies begin building their defense within hours of receiving notice of a serious injury claim.

Workplace Accidents

Construction sites, warehouses, and industrial facilities throughout Chandler present significant spinal cord injury risks when workers fall from heights, get struck by falling objects, or become trapped in machinery. Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops cause compression fractures that damage the spinal cord even when workers survive the initial impact. Heavy equipment accidents involving forklifts, cranes, and automated machinery can crush workers against walls or pin them under loads, creating devastating spinal trauma.

Arizona’s workers’ compensation system provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement for injured workers, but these benefits rarely cover the full cost of lifelong spinal cord injury care under A.R.S. § 23-1043 et seq. Victims may pursue additional compensation through third-party liability claims when equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, property owners, or other parties beyond their direct employer contributed to the accident. These third-party claims allow recovery of damages not available through workers’ compensation including full lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Property owner negligence creates dangerous conditions throughout Chandler that cause falls resulting in spinal cord injuries, particularly when victims land directly on their back or neck. Wet floors in grocery stores, uneven pavement in parking lots, inadequate lighting in stairwells, and missing handrails on elevated walkways all create fall hazards that property owners must address. When property owners know about dangerous conditions or should have discovered them through reasonable inspection but fail to repair them or warn visitors, they become liable for resulting injuries under premises liability law.

Arizona’s comparative negligence rule under A.R.S. § 12-2505 means property owners often argue that injured victims share fault for their fall by not watching where they walked or wearing inappropriate footwear. Successfully proving premises liability requires documenting the exact condition that caused the fall, demonstrating the property owner knew or should have known about it, and showing the property owner had adequate time to fix the problem or warn visitors. Immediate scene documentation including photographs and witness statements becomes critical evidence in these cases.

Medical Malpractice

Surgical errors during spinal procedures, delayed diagnosis of spinal infections or tumors, and improper patient handling by medical staff can all cause or worsen spinal cord injuries. Surgeons who operate at the wrong spinal level, damage the spinal cord during instrumentation placement, or fail to recognize post-operative complications that compress the spinal cord may be liable for medical malpractice. Emergency room physicians who miss spinal fractures on imaging or fail to immobilize patients with suspected spinal trauma can cause incomplete injuries to become complete paralysis.

Medical malpractice claims require expert testimony establishing the applicable standard of care, proving the healthcare provider’s actions fell below that standard, and demonstrating the deviation directly caused the spinal cord injury or made it worse. Arizona’s notice of claim requirement under A.R.S. § 12-2603 mandates that potential malpractice plaintiffs provide written notice to healthcare providers at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit. These cases involve complex medical evidence and sophisticated defense tactics that require attorneys with specific medical malpractice experience.

Types of Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal cord injury victims in Chandler can pursue several categories of damages designed to compensate them for the full scope of their losses and provide financial security for their future care needs. Economic damages cover all financial losses with specific dollar amounts including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, home modifications, assistive devices, and ongoing care costs. Non-economic damages compensate victims for subjective losses without specific price tags such as physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, and loss of consortium for spouses.

Economic Damages

Medical expenses represent the largest component of most spinal cord injury claims, beginning with emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and initial rehabilitation that often exceeds $500,000 in the first year alone. Future medical costs require testimony from life care planners who create detailed projections of all necessary care over the victim’s lifetime including regular physician visits, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment replacement, and treatment for secondary complications. Lost income calculations must account not only for wages lost during recovery but also for the victim’s reduced earning capacity when they can no longer perform their previous job or must work in a lower-paying position.

Home modification costs vary widely depending on the extent of accessibility changes required but commonly include wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, roll-in showers, lowered countertops, and automated door openers. Victims who require ongoing personal care assistance face costs ranging from $50,000 to over $200,000 annually depending on the level of care needed and whether they require 24-hour supervision. Transportation modifications including wheelchair-accessible vehicles add another $20,000 to $80,000 to the economic damages calculation.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering damages compensate victims for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and psychological trauma that spinal cord injuries create. These injuries cause chronic pain, nerve damage sensations, spasticity, and discomfort from immobility that never fully resolves and often worsens over time. The emotional impact of losing independence, facing permanent disability, and grieving the life victims expected to live creates depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress that requires ongoing mental health treatment.

Loss of enjoyment of life damages recognize that spinal cord injury victims can no longer participate in activities that previously brought them happiness and fulfillment. Victims who once enjoyed sports, outdoor recreation, dancing, or physical activities with their children now face permanent limitations that rob them of these experiences. Spouses may pursue loss of consortium claims for the loss of companionship, affection, intimacy, and support that results when a partner suffers a catastrophic injury.

Punitive Damages

Arizona law allows punitive damages under A.R.S. § 12-2603.01 when a defendant’s conduct involved aggravating circumstances such as intentional harm, conscious disregard for safety, or reckless indifference to the rights of others. These damages aim to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior rather than simply compensating the victim. Drunk driving accidents, employers who knowingly violate safety regulations, and product manufacturers who hide known dangers may all face punitive damage exposure in spinal cord injury cases.

Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s mental state at the time of the harmful conduct, a higher burden than the preponderance of evidence standard for compensatory damages. Courts cap punitive damages at the greater of $250,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded, though no cap applies when the defendant’s conduct was motivated by profit. These damages can significantly increase the total recovery in appropriate cases and provide additional leverage during settlement negotiations.

The Process of Pursuing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Chandler

Understanding the steps involved in a spinal cord injury case helps victims know what to expect and how their attorney will protect their rights throughout the legal process.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Injuries

Your health and safety remain the absolute first priority after any accident that may have caused spinal trauma. Emergency medical personnel should immobilize your spine and transport you to a hospital equipped to handle serious spinal injuries like Chandler Regional Medical Center or Banner Desert Medical Center. Even if you can still move and feel sensation, internal damage to the spinal cord may worsen without proper immobilization and treatment.

Follow all treatment recommendations from your medical team without gaps in care, as insurance companies scrutinize medical records for any interruption in treatment to argue injuries are not as serious as claimed. Keep copies of all medical records, doctor’s notes, test results, prescription information, and itemized bills. Document your symptoms, limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life through written notes or video recordings that can provide powerful evidence of your ongoing struggles.

Consult with a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Most Chandler spinal cord injury lawyers offer free initial consultations where they evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and answer questions about the claims process. During this meeting, bring all accident documentation, medical records, insurance correspondence, and any other relevant materials. An experienced attorney will assess the strength of your liability evidence, the full extent of your damages, and the potential value of your claim.

Retaining an attorney immediately after your injury protects your rights by preventing insurance companies from taking recorded statements they can use against you and ensuring critical evidence gets preserved before it disappears. Arizona’s statute of limitations under A.R.S. § 12-542 gives injury victims two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, but waiting too long makes evidence harder to obtain and allows insurance companies to strengthen their defense. Early attorney involvement also means your lawyer can handle all communications with insurance adjusters while you focus entirely on your medical recovery.

Investigate and Gather Evidence

Your attorney will immediately begin collecting all available evidence to build a strong liability case and document the full extent of your damages. This investigation includes obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses before memories fade, photographing accident scenes and dangerous conditions, requesting surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and examining vehicles or equipment involved in the accident. Attorneys often work with accident reconstruction experts who can recreate the incident using physical evidence and scientific principles to establish exactly how it occurred.

Medical evidence requires particular attention in spinal cord injury cases because insurance companies challenge both the severity of injuries and their connection to the accident. Your attorney will obtain complete medical records from all treating providers, arrange independent medical examinations with specialists, and consult with life care planners who calculate the cost of future medical needs. Economic experts analyze your lost earning capacity by examining your work history, education, skills, and how your injuries limit your ability to earn income in the future.

Send a Demand Letter and Negotiate Settlement

Once your medical condition stabilizes and your attorney fully understands the extent of your permanent injuries and future needs, they will send a detailed demand letter to all liable parties and their insurance companies. This letter presents the evidence of liability, documents your damages with supporting medical and economic evidence, and demands a specific settlement amount. The demand letter essentially previews what a jury would hear at trial, demonstrating your attorney’s readiness to litigate if necessary.

Insurance companies rarely accept initial demands in catastrophic injury cases and instead make counteroffers far below fair compensation. Your attorney will negotiate with insurance adjusters, presenting additional evidence and legal arguments to justify higher settlement amounts. This negotiation process can take weeks or months as both sides evaluate the strength of the case and the risks of going to trial. Many spinal cord injury cases settle during this phase when insurance companies recognize the strength of the evidence and want to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation.

File a Lawsuit if Necessary

When settlement negotiations fail to produce a fair offer, your attorney will file a personal injury lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court before the statute of limitations expires. The complaint formally alleges the defendant’s negligence, describes how it caused your injuries, and demands specific compensation. Filing a lawsuit moves the case into the formal discovery phase where both sides exchange information, take depositions, and build their trial strategies.

Discovery in spinal cord injury cases involves extensive document requests, written questions called interrogatories, and depositions where witnesses and parties give sworn testimony. Your attorney will depose the defendant, any witnesses, and expert witnesses the defense plans to call at trial. Defense attorneys will depose you and your medical experts, requiring careful preparation so your testimony supports your claims without giving the defense material to attack your credibility.

Proceed Through Mediation or Trial

Most courts require mediation before allowing spinal cord injury cases to go to trial, bringing both parties together with a neutral mediator who facilitates settlement discussions. Mediation often succeeds where direct negotiations failed because the mediator helps both sides realistically evaluate the case strengths and weaknesses and find compromise solutions. Even cases that seem destined for trial frequently settle at mediation when both sides face the reality of trial risks and costs.

Cases that do not settle proceed to trial where a jury hears all the evidence and decides both liability and damages. Your attorney will present evidence of the defendant’s negligence, your injuries and treatment, your pain and suffering, and your future care needs through witness testimony, medical records, expert opinions, and demonstrative exhibits. Spinal cord injury trials typically last one to two weeks and result in jury verdicts that can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the severity of injuries and strength of evidence.

Proving Liability in Chandler Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Successfully recovering compensation requires proving the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through negligent or wrongful conduct, and directly caused your spinal cord injury resulting in damages. The specific elements of proof vary depending on the type of accident, but all cases require clear evidence connecting the defendant’s conduct to your injuries.

Establishing Duty of Care

All Arizona residents owe a general duty to act with reasonable care to avoid creating unreasonable risks of harm to others. Drivers owe a duty to operate their vehicles safely, follow traffic laws, and remain alert to prevent accidents. Property owners owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises and warn of known dangers. Employers owe workers a duty to provide safe working conditions, proper training, and adequate safety equipment. Healthcare providers owe patients a duty to provide care that meets the accepted standard in their medical specialty.

The specific scope of these duties depends on the relationship between the parties and the circumstances. Property owners owe the highest duty to business invitees but a lesser duty to trespassers. The duty of care in medical malpractice cases gets defined by expert testimony about what similarly trained providers would do in the same circumstances. Establishing duty is rarely disputed because courts recognize these basic obligations, making breach and causation the key battlegrounds in most spinal cord injury cases.

Proving Breach of Duty

Breach occurs when the defendant’s conduct falls below the reasonable care standard, creating an unreasonable risk of harm. In car accident cases, breach may involve speeding, running red lights, texting while driving, or driving under the influence. Property owners breach their duty by failing to repair known hazards, neglecting routine maintenance, or failing to conduct reasonable inspections that would have discovered dangerous conditions. Employers breach their duty by ignoring safety regulations, failing to train workers properly, or cutting corners to save money at the expense of worker safety.

Evidence of breach comes from many sources including photographs showing dangerous conditions, witness testimony describing the defendant’s actions, violation of safety regulations or building codes, expert testimony about industry standards, and the defendant’s own admissions. Traffic citations issued at accident scenes provide strong evidence of negligence even though they are not automatically admissible at trial. Surveillance video, cell phone records showing distracted driving, and maintenance records revealing neglected repairs can all prove defendants failed to exercise reasonable care.

Demonstrating Causation

Causation requires proving the defendant’s breach directly caused your spinal cord injury and would not have occurred without the negligent conduct. Medical records documenting the mechanism of injury, expert testimony connecting your injuries to the accident, and immediate symptom onset all establish causation. Defendants often argue that pre-existing spinal conditions or subsequent events caused or contributed to the injury, requiring detailed medical evidence distinguishing new trauma from old conditions.

In cases where multiple parties may share responsibility, Arizona’s comparative fault rule allows recovery even if you bear some responsibility for the accident as long as your fault does not exceed the defendant’s. Your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of fault, so a victim found 20% at fault for a $1 million injury would recover $800,000. Defense attorneys frequently overstate victim fault during negotiations to reduce settlement amounts, making aggressive advocacy essential to protect your full compensation rights.

Why Legal Representation Matters for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

The complexity of spinal cord injury cases, the enormous financial stakes involved, and the sophisticated tactics insurance companies employ all make experienced legal representation essential for victims seeking fair compensation. Insurance adjusters know most victims lack the medical knowledge, legal expertise, and financial resources necessary to fight for maximum compensation through years of litigation.

Maximizing Compensation Value

Attorneys experienced in catastrophic injury cases understand how to calculate the true value of spinal cord injury claims including all current and future economic losses and appropriate non-economic damages. Most victims significantly underestimate their claim’s value because they focus on immediate medical bills rather than lifetime care costs that may reach $5 million or more. Life care planners and economic experts retained by attorneys provide detailed evidence of future needs that insurance companies cannot simply dismiss.

Insurance companies make low initial settlement offers hoping victims will accept quick money rather than endure lengthy litigation. Victims who accept these early offers sign releases that forever bar them from seeking additional compensation even when their condition worsens or they discover additional injuries. Attorneys recognize inadequate offers and negotiate aggressively for settlements that truly compensate victims for the full scope of their losses.

Handling Complex Litigation

Spinal cord injury litigation involves procedural complexities, strict deadlines, and sophisticated legal arguments that unrepresented victims cannot effectively navigate. Attorneys draft complaints that properly allege all legal theories of recovery, respond to motions defense attorneys file to dismiss or limit claims, and conduct discovery that uncovers evidence defendants want to hide. Missing a single deadline or failing to properly preserve evidence can destroy an otherwise strong case.

Defense attorneys representing insurance companies and corporations employ aggressive tactics designed to discourage victims from continuing their claims. They file motions to compel medical examinations by defense doctors who minimize injuries, take depositions intended to catch victims in inconsistencies, and make low settlement offers immediately before major litigation expenses come due. Experienced plaintiffs’ attorneys anticipate these tactics and counter them effectively without being intimidated or manipulated.

Leveling the Playing Field

Insurance companies and corporate defendants have unlimited resources to defend claims including staff attorneys, outside counsel, expert witnesses, investigators, and litigation funds. Unrepresented victims cannot match these resources or expertise, creating a massive power imbalance that insurers exploit. Established personal injury law firms invest their own money in case development costs including expert fees, medical record expenses, deposition costs, and trial exhibits knowing they only recover these costs if they win.

Attorneys experienced in spinal cord injury litigation have relationships with leading medical experts, life care planners, economic experts, and vocational rehabilitation specialists who provide credible testimony that juries find persuasive. These experts often charge substantial fees that most victims cannot afford to pay upfront but become essential to proving the full extent of damages. Law firms that handle these cases on a contingency fee basis absorb all case costs and attorney fees until recovery, allowing victims to pursue justice without financial stress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chandler Spinal Cord Injury Claims

How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Arizona?

Arizona’s statute of limitations under A.R.S. § 12-542 gives injury victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, with the clock typically starting the day the injury occurred. Missing this deadline generally bars you from ever recovering compensation no matter how strong your case or severe your injuries, making early consultation with an attorney critical. Some exceptions may extend or shorten this deadline including the discovery rule for injuries not immediately apparent, different deadlines for claims against government entities, and tolling provisions for minors or incapacitated victims.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule under A.R.S. § 12-2505 that allows recovery even when you bear some responsibility for the accident as long as your fault is not greater than the defendant’s. Your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, so if a jury finds you 30% responsible and awards $1 million, you receive $700,000. Insurance companies routinely exaggerate victim fault during negotiations to reduce settlement amounts, but an experienced attorney can counter these arguments with evidence showing the defendant bore primary responsibility for the accident.

How much is my spinal cord injury case worth?

Case value depends on many factors including the severity and permanence of your injuries, the clarity of liability evidence, your age and earning capacity, the defendant’s insurance coverage, and the jurisdiction where the case will be tried. Incomplete spinal cord injuries with some remaining function typically result in lower damages than complete paralysis cases, while tetraplegia cases generally exceed paraplegia cases because they require more extensive care. Most Chandler spinal cord injury cases settle or result in verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars depending on these variables.

Will I have to go to court?

Most spinal cord injury cases settle before trial through direct negotiations or mediation, avoiding the need for courtroom testimony. However, your attorney must prepare every case as if it will go to trial because insurance companies only make fair settlement offers when they recognize your lawyer is ready and able to win at trial. You will likely need to give a deposition where defense attorneys ask you questions under oath, and you should expect the settlement process to take months or even years depending on case complexity and the defendant’s willingness to negotiate reasonably.

What if the at-fault party has no insurance or insufficient coverage?

Your own auto insurance policy may provide underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage that pays when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance to compensate your injuries. These UM/UIM benefits can be substantial and may exceed the at-fault party’s liability coverage, making them a critical recovery source in catastrophic injury cases. Additional recovery sources may include your health insurance, disability insurance, workers’ compensation if the accident occurred during work, and direct claims against other liable parties such as vehicle manufacturers, property owners, or employers.

How do attorneys get paid in spinal cord injury cases?

Most personal injury attorneys representing spinal cord injury victims work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they receive a percentage of any settlement or verdict rather than charging hourly fees. Typical contingency fees range from 33% to 40% depending on whether the case settles before trial or requires litigation through verdict. This arrangement allows victims to pursue claims without paying attorney fees upfront and ensures your lawyer only gets paid if you recover compensation, aligning their financial interests with yours.

Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?

Never accept a settlement offer without first consulting an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate whether it fairly compensates all your losses. Insurance companies make early settlement offers before victims fully understand their injuries’ extent and future implications, hoping to close claims cheaply. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation even if you discover your injuries are more serious than initially believed or if complications develop later.

What if my spinal cord injury was caused by medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice claims require proof that your healthcare provider’s care fell below the accepted standard in their specialty and directly caused or worsened your spinal cord injury. Arizona law under A.R.S. § 12-2603 requires you to provide 90 days written notice before filing a malpractice lawsuit, giving healthcare providers time to investigate and potentially resolve claims without litigation. These cases require expert medical testimony establishing what proper care should have been and how the deviation caused harm, making attorney selection particularly critical because medical malpractice litigation demands specific expertise.

Contact a Chandler Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

Spinal cord injuries create devastating consequences that extend far beyond initial medical treatment, permanently altering every aspect of victims’ lives and creating financial needs that last decades. Insurance companies recognize the enormous value of these claims and employ sophisticated tactics to minimize payouts, making experienced legal representation essential for victims seeking fair compensation. The gap between what insurance companies initially offer and what juries ultimately award in spinal cord injury cases often reaches millions of dollars, with attorney representation making the difference between financial security and lifelong hardship.

Wrongful Death Trial Attorney LLC has dedicated our practice to representing catastrophic injury victims throughout Chandler with the medical expertise, litigation experience, and financial resources necessary to take on insurance companies and win maximum compensation. We invest our own money in expert witnesses, detailed life care plans, and thorough case preparation that proves every dollar of your damages and holds negligent parties fully accountable. Call us now at (480) 420-0500 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve for your spinal cord injury.