La Vista Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Were you injured in an accident causing a spinal cord injury in La Vista, NE?

At Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O., we are plaintiff-focused spinal cord injury lawyers, preparing every case with experience and dedication.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, the aftermath affects every part of your daily life. Mounting medical costs, extended rehabilitation, and lost wages are just the beginning. Our La Vista, NE spinal cord injury lawyer at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. has represented injured plaintiffs across Sarpy County for more than 24 years. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.

Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer La Vista, NE

A spinal cord injury occurs when sudden trauma to the vertebrae, ligaments, or the cord itself damages the nerve pathways between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the severity and location, the effects range from chronic pain and partial loss of sensation to total paralysis. According to NINDS research data, roughly 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries occur in the United States each year, and motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause.

In 2024, the NDOT Highway Safety Office recorded 251 traffic fatalities statewide, the highest annual toll in 17 years. La Vista sits along several high-volume corridors in Sarpy County, and the daily flow of commuter and commercial traffic through the area increases the risk of the severe collisions that produce spinal cord damage.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases We Handle in La Vista

Spinal cord damage results from a wide range of incidents, and the circumstances of each accident shape which parties may be liable and what evidence the case demands. Below are the categories of spinal cord injury cases Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. handles for La Vista and Sarpy County clients.

• Car accidents. Rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, and broadside impacts at intersections can fracture vertebrae, herniate discs, and compress the spinal cord. We gather police reports, medical imaging, and witness statements to build a case connecting the collision directly to the injury.
• Truck accidents. A fully loaded commercial vehicle can weigh 80,000 pounds. When one strikes a passenger car, the forces involved frequently cause devastating spinal trauma. These claims often involve multiple liable parties and separate federal safety regulations.
• Motorcycle accidents. Riders have no structural barrier between themselves and the pavement, so even moderate-speed impacts can drive a rider into the ground or a fixed object with enough force to fracture the spine. Because adjusters frequently attempt to shift blame onto motorcyclists, early legal involvement is particularly valuable in these cases.
• Pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph or more faces a severe risk of spinal cord injury. These cases require precise reconstruction of the point of impact, analysis of crosswalk visibility, and clear evidence of the driver’s negligence.
• Slip and fall accidents. A fall onto a hard surface, from a height, or down a staircase can produce the kind of violent spinal impact that results in herniated discs or fractured vertebrae. Property owners who fail to address known hazards may be liable under Nebraska premises liability law.
• Construction site accidents. Falls from scaffolding, being struck by heavy equipment, and trench collapses all carry significant spinal cord injury risk. Workers’ compensation may cover a portion of losses, but third-party negligence claims against equipment manufacturers or general contractors can provide additional recovery.
• Bicycle accidents. A cyclist thrown from the bike after being struck by a vehicle can land with enough force to damage the cervical or thoracic spine, often leaving the rider with permanent mobility limitations.
• Medical malpractice. Surgical errors during spinal procedures, delayed diagnosis of spinal fractures, and birth injuries involving nerve damage can all produce permanent spinal cord impairment. These cases require specialized medical testimony and carry strict filing requirements under Nebraska law.

Why Choose Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. as My Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in La Vista, NE?

Recognized Plaintiff-Side Trial Credentials

Jason Ausman founded Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. and has spent 24 years handling personal injury and catastrophic injury matters exclusively on the plaintiff side. He is a Fellow of the ACTL, an invitation-only honor extended to fewer than one percent of trial lawyers nationwide. He also serves as president of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Jason earned his J.D. from Creighton School of Law in 2001.

Michelle Dreesen brings 25 years of experience representing injured clients in Nebraska and Iowa. She is a member of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys and the American Association for Justice.

Recovery Results for Injured Clients

Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury and wrongful death matters. Selected results include:

• $1.9 million in a truck accident causing traumatic injuries
• $1.8 million in a car accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury
• $1.2 million jury verdict in a car accident requiring multiple surgeries
• $2 million jury verdict for injury during a surgical procedure

Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a specific outcome. But these recoveries reflect the preparation and advocacy we bring to every client we represent.

What Is Important to Understand About a Spinal Cord Injury Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Nebraska law allows injured plaintiffs to pursue both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses: hospital bills, surgical costs, prescription medications, physical therapy, assistive devices such as wheelchairs, home modifications, and lost wages. When the injury is permanent, future medical expenses and diminished earning capacity also factor into the calculation. Noneconomic damages address the harm that carries no receipt, including emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and chronic physical pain.

To recover, the plaintiff must prove that another party’s negligence caused the spinal cord injury. That requires establishing a duty of care, a breach of that duty, a direct link between the breach and the injury, and measurable harm. In many spinal cord injury cases, liability rests with more than one party, which adds complexity to both the investigation and the allocation of fault.

What Are Important Aspects of a Spinal Cord Injury Case?

Several factors can strengthen or weaken a spinal cord injury claim. Attending to these early makes a measurable difference in the outcome.

• Prompt medical evaluation after any accident. Diagnostic imaging performed shortly after the incident connects the injury directly to the event.
• Preservation of physical evidence. Photographs, surveillance footage, witness contact information, and the police report all serve as the foundation for proving negligence.
• Avoiding recorded statements to the at-fault party’s insurer without legal counsel. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and early statements can be taken out of context.
• Full documentation of ongoing pain and functional limitations. Medical records, therapy notes, and personal journals that track daily challenges support both economic and noneconomic damage claims.

Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence standard under §25-21,185.09. If you bear partial responsibility for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your share reaches 50 percent or more, you cannot recover at all.

What Is the Spinal Cord Injury Case Timeline?

The length of a spinal cord injury case depends on the severity of the injury, the number of parties involved, and whether settlement negotiations succeed. A general timeline includes:

• Medical treatment and stabilization. Your health comes first. No legal deadline outweighs the need for proper treatment and accurate diagnosis.
• Investigation and evidence gathering. Once retained, your attorney collects records, consults with medical professionals, and identifies all responsible parties. This phase can last several months.
• Filing the claim. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-207, you have four years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Filing well ahead of that deadline preserves your options and allows thorough preparation.
• Negotiation. Most personal injury claims begin with a demand to the at-fault party’s insurer. Spinal cord cases involve larger amounts and more contentious back-and-forth because the lifetime costs are substantial.
• Trial. If settlement negotiations do not produce a fair offer, the case proceeds to trial in Sarpy County District Court or the appropriate jurisdiction.

What Should You Bring to Your Spinal Cord Injury Consultation?

Preparing for your consultation helps your attorney evaluate the strength of your claim right away. Bring the following:

• A copy of the police or incident report
• All medical records and diagnostic imaging related to the spinal cord injury
• Insurance policy information, both your own and the at-fault party’s if available
• Documentation of lost wages or missed work
• Any correspondence you have received from insurance companies

During the consultation, your attorney will review the facts, explain how Nebraska negligence law applies, and outline the steps ahead. There is no fee for this meeting.

Most Dangerous Locations for Spinal Cord Injury in La Vista

The accidents most likely to produce spinal cord injuries, high-speed crashes and violent impacts, tend to concentrate at specific locations in and around La Vista. The following roads and highways see recurring serious collisions.

Streets:

• 84th Street. One of the city’s primary north-south routes, 84th Street carries a heavy daily mix of commuter and commercial traffic. The intersections at 84th and Giles Road and 84th and Harrison Street have been the sites of multi-vehicle collisions involving serious injuries.
• Harrison Street. A 2022 crash at 72nd and Harrison Streets involved seven vehicles and resulted in two fatalities. This east-west corridor sees significant traffic volume through the center of La Vista.
• Giles Road. Giles Road connects residential neighborhoods to commercial areas and experiences frequent congestion during peak commuting hours, increasing the risk of rear-end and intersection collisions.

Highways:

• Interstate 80. I-80 runs just south of La Vista and carries one of the heaviest freight and commuter loads in the state. High-speed crashes and commercial truck collisions on this corridor regularly produce catastrophic injuries.
• Highway 370. This east-west highway links several Sarpy County communities and intersects with high-traffic surface roads, creating conditions where turning and merging collisions occur.

Reach Out to Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. to Schedule a Consultation

A spinal cord injury claim involves complex medical evidence and significant long-term financial stakes. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and building your case. Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. represents clients on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we win. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case review. Our office responds promptly.