After a catastrophic spinal injury, the legal “window” often starts immediately—not because you need to file paperwork right away, but because early actions affect evidence and insurance decisions.
Consider prioritizing:
- Medical documentation first: request copies of ER notes, imaging reports, discharge paperwork, and follow-up orders.
- Accident details while they’re fresh: write down what you remember (traffic signals, weather, road conditions, lighting, barriers, fall conditions, warnings).
- Identify who has information: witnesses, responding officers, employers, property managers, and anyone who documented the scene.
- Be careful with insurance statements: anything you say can be taken out of context.
A paralysis injury case often turns on causation—what caused the paralysis—and severity—what the injury changed long-term. Early organization helps your attorney build that connection.


