Personal Injury Trial Lawyers Serving Connecticut for Over 50 Years

Spinal Cord Injury

Sadly over the years, the lawyers at Tremont & Sheldon have represented clients with spinal cord injuries including paraplegics and quadriplegics. These injuries can occur from motor vehicle accidents, swimming pool accidents, police chases, medical mistakes, and other unfortunate circumstances.

The attorneys at Tremont & Sheldon have a great amount of experience and expertise in representing clients with these types of spinal cord injuries and are able to bring together a team of experts to develop a long-term plan that meets the unique needs of the individual and their family/caregivers.

Please contact the lawyers at Tremont & Sheldon to further evaluate your case.

Examples of Tremont & Sheldon Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Below are examples of past spinal cord injury cases that Tremont & Sheldon has championed. We were able to recover millions of dollars for these accident clients as compensation towards their injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury Case #1

On May 21, 2003, the plaintiff, John Smith, who was then 23, was proceeding westbound in the center lane of I-95 in Fairfield. Immediately ahead of him was a tractor-trailer owned by Bavarian Motor Transport, Inc.. Directly behind Mr. Smith’s vehicle was a tractor-trailer owned by Road-Con Systems, Inc..

As these three vehicles approached the #24 entrance ramp, there was a collision in the right lane between a Chevrolet Suburban and a box truck leased by Toria Truck Rental to Poulin Enterprises. The force of the impact pushed the Poulin Enterprises box truck partially into the center lane, causing the operator of the Bavarian truck to swerve in order to avoid striking it. Mr. Smith also brought his vehicle to a stop. The operator of the Road-Con truck, however, was unable to stop in time and struck the Smith vehicle in the rear, pushing it into and under the Bavarian truck.

Mr. Smith was extricated from the wreckage by Fairfield Fire Department personnel. Firefighters used wooden cribbing and two air bags to lift the truck's bed off Smith's car. They then had to cut Smith out of the crushed hulk. At the time, Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner said Smith's car was so heavily damaged it wasn't possible to recognize its make or model. "It was a horrendous crash - the vehicle was completely crushed," said Attorney Robert Sheldon, who credits Fairfield Fire Department personnel with saving his client's life.

Mr. Smith was rushed to St. Vincent’s Medical Center where he underwent five weeks of intensive care for his injuries, which included a fractured skull, comminuted fractures of the cervical spine, permanent damage to the spinal cord resulting in high-level quadriplegia, and numerous complications, such as infections, ulcers and pressure sores. He was subsequently transferred to Gaylord Hospital where he underwent extensive rehabilitation for 4-1/2 months. He then returned to his parents’ home in Shelton, which was extensively renovated to meet his physical needs.

The plaintiff’s injuries have severely compromised virtually every aspect of his life. He must rely on a power wheelchair for mobility and on caregivers for most activities of daily living. Despite his physical limitations, Mr. Smith refuses to let his injuries prevent him from accomplishing his goals in life. Remarkably, he moved into his own condominium where, with the assistance of aides who come in several times a day, he lives on his own. Much of the plaintiff’s time is devoted to writing about his experience and to helping disabled people and educating the public about them. He has assisted in teaching a class in the Physical Therapy Department at Sacred Heart University. He has also helped in efforts to oppose federal legislation that would adversely affect the disabled in obtaining insurance coverage for wheelchair replacement and repairs.

Mr. Smith’s economic damages were substantial. His medical and other related expenses totaled approximately $865,000. The cost of his continuing care was enormous. His lifetime impaired earnings, discounted to present value, was ranged between $1.3 million and $1.5 million.

Shortly before suit was started, Road-Con Systems, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in New Jersey. The claims against the company and its driver were settled with AIG, their insurance carrier, for the available policy limits. The cases against the remaining defendants went before a judge of the superior court. After lengthy deliberations, Attorney Robert Sheldon was also able to settle those claims. The total amount of settlement was $5,390,000.

"The progress that John has made in his lengthy road to recovery from his devastating injuries has been nothing short of amazing," said his lawyer, Robert R. Sheldon, of Tremont & Sheldon. "It is a testament to his courage and indomitable spirit, and to the loving care and tireless support of his parents."

If you believe that you have been injured in any manner, you must act swiftly to protect your rights. Please click here if you would like us to review your situation.

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