Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP
Treating California’s Injured With Dignity And Respect
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Spinal Injuries In San Francisco

For decades the trial attorneys of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP, have advocated for the rights of people suffering the effects of a spinal injury.  We have witnessed the physical and psychological effects of a spinal injury.  We understand the emotional and financial devastating such injuries cause.

Effective legal representation in cases of spinal cord injury (including disc and sacral injuries) and wrongful death, requires not only experience, knowledge and trial skill, but also an understanding of all the issues surrounding long-term disability, such as chronic pain management, loss of motor function, bedsores, attendant care, modification of premises and limitations to daily activities.

Securing Full and Fair Compensation For the Victims of Spinal Injuries

The California spinal cord injury attorneys at Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP work closely with clients and their families to ensure their medical condition has been thoroughly assessed and they are receiving appropriate care. Then, we begin the task of securing the financial resources required for treatment, therapy, nursing care, and additional expenses that arise with this kind of trauma.

The attorneys of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive full and fair compensation.  We are known for our use of cutting-edge technology to demonstrate the injury and explain how it has affected our clients.  We have received the national Law Technology News Award for Most Innovative Use of Technology at Trial for our trial techniques.  Our creativity in trial presentation sets us apart from other firms.

At Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP, our personal injury lawyers understand spinal injuries and the challenges they present to victims.  Though we cannot take away the pain, we can assist you in recovering compensation for rehabilitation, lifetime care costs, and the pain and suffering experienced by you or your loved one.

If you are ready to talk to a lawyer who truly understands the challenges you face, contact Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP, today for a free consultation.

At Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP, our personal injury attorneys are skilled and experienced advocates for injured people. We have been fighting to achieve fair compensation for the victims of brain or spinal cord injuries for more many years. Our commitment to people suffering from spinal injuries has resulted in a track record of significant verdicts and settlements.

Diver v. City of Walnut Creek – $27,750,000 verdict

Jury verdict for diver who became a quadriplegic after striking swimmer while practicing dives in a public pool and suffered a cervical fracture and dislocation

$27,750,000 jury verdict in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez for a 19-year-old California State diving champion who suffered a cervical compression fracture and dislocation and was rendered an immediate quadriplegic when he collided with a synchronized swimmer while practicing a high dive at Heather Farms dive pool in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County.  As our diver sprung off the diving board to practice a dive, he did not see that a synchronized swimmer swam out from under the diving board and into his landing area.  His head struck the rear of the swimmer, causing the cervical fracture and dislocation, and his permanent paralysis.

The City of Walnut Creek owned the dive pool and rented it concurrently to both a dive team and a synchronized swimming team for practices without any means of separating the two inconsistent uses, such as deploying floating lane lines.  This inconsistent concurrent use created a dangerous condition of public property.  The City of Walnut Creek failed to take any responsibility for the incident, and blamed the diver, his coach, the 15-year-old synchronized swimmer who collided with our client, and her coach for causing the incident.  At trial, our firm showed that the City of Walnut Creek was primarily responsible for the incident.

Passenger v. Caltrans – $5,500,000

Passenger in a rollover accident suffered cervical spine fracture resulting in quadriplegia due to a dangerous condition on Highway 1 in Marin County. 

Our 23-year-old client was a passenger in a new Mazda Miata driven by his girlfriend from San Francisco to Stinson Beach, up State Route 1 toward the Point Reyes Lighthouse, in western Marin County.  She lost control of the Miata attempting to negotiate a curve just north of the Town of Olema.  The vehicle left the roadway, went up an adjacent embankment, and rolled one and a half times.  It landed upside down back on the roadway.  Our client suffered fractures to his C4-6 vertebrae, rendering him an immediate C4-5 quadriplegic.  The driver who lost control subsequently admitted to the CHP that she was going “too fast” for the curve at 60-65 mph in a 55-mph zone.

Our firm brought a case against the State of California (Caltrans), which owns State Route 1, for a dangerous condition of public property (Government Code §835).  After extensive litigation, the case proceeded to trial in Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael.  At trial, we showed that the curve’s radius, length, and superelevation violated Caltrans’ standards, and that it was compound in nature (it had a diminishing radius), indicating that it was a 35-mph curve.  The evidence showed that there was no advance warning sign indicating that it was only a 35-mph curve, creating a trap for the unwary.

The State claimed that the only similar incident, which involved a motorcycle in 1993, occurred seven years before this incident and more than 3 million vehicles safely negotiated the curve without incident between that prior incident and the subject incident.  Thus, the curve could not be dangerous to those using due care and the State had no notice of any condition that was dangerous.  It also claimed that the curve was readily apparent and clearly visible to approaching motorists, so no warning sign was necessary.  It further claimed that the single vehicle rollover was solely caused by the negligence of the driver.

The jury found in favor of our client on liability and before the separate deliberations on damages, Caltrans settled for $5,500,000.

Guest v. Property Owner – $6,450,000

Party guest suffered a cervical fracture resulting in quadriplegia after diving into a residential pool.

Our 25-year-old client became a quadriplegic when she dived into a residential swimming pool at a birthday party in Lafayette, Contra Costa County.  She served food at the party and consumed alcohol with her friend who lived at the home.  They jumped into the pool together and collided, causing our client to strike her head on the bottom of the pool and to sustain a cervical spine fracture that led to her becoming a quadriplegic.  The parties can only state that the case has settled.

Pedestrian v. Driver

Pedestrian crossing street in an unmarked crosswalk struck by car and suffered a TBI and paraplegia

Our client was a young pedestrian crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk when she was struck by a car, causing her to suffer a closed head injury and a traumatic spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia.

Driver v. Auto Manufacturer – $3,300,000

Our client suffered a spinal fracture resulting in quadriplegia in a single vehicle rollover incident after road debris struck one rear wheel’s parking brake cable, activating it, and causing the vehicle to lose control.