®Lodi Back and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Injured in Jersey? Peter's Got Your Back!
A back or spinal cord injury can make sitting, lifting, or sleeping a daily struggle. At The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates, LLC, your Lodi back and spinal cord injury lawyer will fight for the money you need to heal.
24/7 Service Available
We are a spinal cord injury law firm in NJ that has recovered over $1 billion in over 37 years. Our Lodi personal injury lawyer office sits on Essex Street, just minutes from Route 17, where busy traffic leads to serious rear-end and side-impact crashes.
You should not have to fight an insurance company while you are in pain. We take that weight off your shoulders, answer calls 24/7, and offer a free case review.
Signs you have a valid back or spinal cord injury claim
You may have a claim if someone else’s carelessness caused your back or spine injury. To win, we must prove four things:
- Duty of care: The other person owed you a duty to act safely, like a driver obeying traffic laws or a store keeping its floors safe.
- Breach of duty: They failed to meet that duty, such as by texting while driving or ignoring an icy walkway.
- Causation: Their mistake caused your injury, which we show with medical records and expert opinions.
- Damages: You suffered real losses, like medical bills, lost pay, and pain.
New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. You can still recover if you were partly at fault, as long as your share is not greater than the other side’s, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Car crash cases have one more hurdle. If your auto policy has the Limitation on Lawsuit option, often called the verbal threshold, N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a) requires you to show a qualifying injury, such as a displaced fracture or a permanent injury proven by objective clinical evidence.
Hypothetical scenario: A driver stopped at a light on Route 17 is rear-ended, and an MRI later shows a herniated disc pressing on a nerve. Because the driver chose the Limitation on Lawsuit option, the case depends on imaging, nerve testing, and a doctor’s opinion that the injury is permanent.
Pain from a disc injury does not always show up right away. That delay is one reason insurers question back injury claims.
Additional reading: what if your car accident injuries don’t show up right away
Lifetime costs a spinal cord injury claim can cover
Back and spinal cord injuries often bring years of costs. We pursue every type of damages New Jersey law allows:
- Economic damages: Hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, medication, home care, and lost wages, both now and in the future.
- Non-economic damages: Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of activities you used to enjoy.
- Punitive damages: Extra damages to punish conduct shown by clear and convincing evidence to involve actual malice or wanton and willful disregard, under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.12.
Punitive damages are rare. In most cases, N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.14 caps them at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.
The table below shows how common back and spine injuries can fit into a New Jersey car crash claim. Every case is different, and the right medical proof matters more than the injury’s label.
| Injury | What it means | How it can relate to the Limitation on Lawsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Herniated or bulging disc | The soft center of a spinal disc pushes out and may press on nerves. | Usually must be shown to be permanent with objective proof, such as MRI and nerve studies. |
| Fractured vertebra | A break in one of the bones of the spine. | A displaced fracture is its own category under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); a non-displaced fracture may need proof of permanency. |
| Cervical or lumbar sprain or strain | Damage to the muscles and ligaments of the neck or lower back. | Often contested; objective clinical evidence of a permanent injury is needed. |
| Injury that needs back surgery | Procedures such as a discectomy or spinal fusion to repair damage. | Surgical records and a doctor’s certification can help show a permanent injury. |
| Spinal cord injury | Damage to the cord itself, causing loss of feeling or movement below the injury. | Usually supported by imaging and neurological exams showing lasting loss of function. |
The verbal threshold only applies to auto claims where the injured person’s policy includes it. It does not apply to slip and fall, workplace third-party, or most other injury claims.
Reaching our Lodi back injury lawyer is easy
Reaching our team is easy, and your first consultation is free. You can contact us in the way that works best for you:
- Phone: Call (973) 279-7246 any time, day or night.
- Online form: Send us your story through our contact page.
- In person: Visit our office at 72 Essex Street, Suite 2, Lodi, NJ 07644.
If you cannot travel because of your injury, tell us. We can talk by phone and work with you around your medical care.
Results for New Jersey back and spine injury clients
We have helped many New Jersey clients with back and spine injuries. Here are some of our past case results:
- $1,600,000: Back surgery case. The initial offer was $850,000.
- $1,000,000: Back surgery case. The initial offer was $700,000.
- $950,000: Fractured vertebrae in the back.
- $850,000: Back surgery case.
- $450,000: Herniated disc with surgery.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Peter N. Davis
Founder & Personal Injury Attorney
Peter N. Davis has spent over 37 years representing injured people across New Jersey. Before starting his firm, he worked in insurance defense, giving him firsthand insight into how insurers evaluate and fight claims. He is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Colorado and earned his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!
Real Clients and Real Reviews
I had a very positive experience with the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates. Nick Barrone handled my case, and I couldn’t be happier with the level of service I received. After my auto accident in Jersey City, NJ, I was dealing with ongoing back and neck pain and wasn’t sure what to expect from the legal process. Nick was professional, attentive, and always made sure I understood each step along the way. He took the time to answer my questions and genuinely cared about my situation. I felt supported throughout the entire process, which made a stressful situation much easier to handle. The firm worked diligently on my behalf and kept me informed the whole time. I truly appreciate their dedication and effort in helping me through this difficult experience. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and compassionate attorney.
I highly recommend Peter Davis & Associates. In particular, Mr. David Ventoso, Esq. did an excellent job helping and assisting me. Mr. Ventoso was knowledgeable, professional and responsive.
All the staff members at the firm took the time to explain every detail and step of the process; they answered all my questions and were always kind. Special thanks to Ms. Carolyn for doing an amazing job.
If you're looking for an attorney in NJ who is trustworthy and really cares, Peter Davis & Associates is an excellent choice.
I highly recommend the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis.
After I was rear-ended in a car accident and suffered injuries to my neck and back, they provided outstanding representation during a very difficult time in my life.
My attorney, Robert Russotti, and my case manager, Muminah Ramadan, were professional, compassionate, and attentive throughout the entire process. They helped me obtain the medical treatment I needed and were always available to answer my questions and address any concerns I had. Their diligence, communication, and dedication gave me peace of mind while I focused on my recovery.
I am truly grateful for the support and guidance they provided during my hardship. I would not hesitate to recommend the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis to my family and friends.
Thank you so much for your help.
I want to especially thank David Ventoso for always informing me what was going on with my case. He kept up with all my questions and answered every time I called him.
Awesome staff also
Thank you again
Angela Selby
I had a great experience working with David Ventoso at the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis after my motor vehicle accident. I suffered injuries to my knee and lower back, and Mr. Ventoso along with Carolyn guided me through the entire process from start to finish.
They were always responsive to my questions and concerns, kept me informed, and made everything as stress-free as possible. They also referred me to receive the medical treatment I needed, which made a huge difference during my recovery.
Thanks to their hard work and dedication, I was very pleased with my compensation. I highly recommend this law firm to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney.
Standing up to insurers for over 37 years
For over 37 years, we have stood up to insurance companies for people hurt in Lodi and across the Garden State. We have helped over 18,000 clients and recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts.
When you hire us, your case becomes personal to us. We want every client to leave our office feeling like the most important case we have.
We also give back to the community we serve. Our firm is a proud partner of Seton Hall Athletics, the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center, supports Bucket City Basketball in Garfield, and funds the Rise Above Scholarship for New Jersey students.
The attorney leading your spine injury case
Attorney Peter N. Davis leads our team. Before founding our firm, he worked as an insurance defense lawyer, so he knows the tactics insurers use to pay injured people less.
Peter is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Colorado. He is also an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor, which reflects the negotiating skill he brings to every case.
As a New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyer, Peter has handled serious back and spine claims across the state. In Lodi, he and our staff give each client personal attention from the first call to the final check.
How our Lodi spinal cord injury law firm supports your recovery
A spine injury affects your body, your income, and your family. We build your claim to cover all of it:
- Lost wages: We seek the pay you lost while healing and the income you may lose if you cannot return to the same work.
- Medical bills and home care: We account for surgery, therapy, medication, and in-home help, both now and in the future.
- Emotional recovery and equipment: We pursue costs for counseling, wheelchairs, braces, and changes to your home or car.
- Loss of consortium: Your spouse may have a claim for the loss of companionship and support.
- Punitive damages: When the conduct was especially reckless, we push for punitive damages.
Help with every level of spinal cord damage
Spinal cord damage can stop the brain from sending signals to muscles and organs. The results may include paralysis, numbness, muscle spasms, trouble breathing, and bladder or bowel problems.
The effects depend on where the injury happens. Doctors divide the spine into four main regions:
- Cervical (neck): Injuries here can affect the arms, legs, and breathing, and may cause quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia.
- Thoracic (upper and mid back): Injuries here often affect the chest, abdomen, and legs, and may cause paraplegia.
- Lumbar (lower back): This is a common site for herniated discs and fractures that cause leg pain, weakness, and trouble walking.
- Sacral (base of the spine): Injuries here can affect the hips, legs, bladder, and sexual function.
Many people with serious spinal injuries need long-term rehab. Northern New Jersey patients often receive this care at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, home to a federally designated spinal cord injury model system.
Hypothetical scenario: A shopper slips on an unsalted, icy walkway outside a store and fractures a vertebra in her lower back. She needs surgery and months of therapy, so her claim against the property owner must include future care costs and lost income, not just her first hospital bill.
First steps after a back or spine injury
What you do after a back or spinal injury can affect both your health and your claim. Follow these steps:
- Get medical care right away: Go to the ER, such as the Level I trauma center at Hackensack University Medical Center, and attend every follow-up visit.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Gaps in treatment give insurers a reason to say you were not badly hurt.
- Stay off social media: A single photo of you smiling or standing can be used against you.
- Do not accept the first offer: Early offers rarely cover future surgery, therapy, or lost earning power.
- Watch what you say to insurers: Do not give a recorded statement or guess about your injuries.
- Call a spinal cord injury lawyer in Lodi: We can deal with the insurance companies so you can rest.
Additional reading: what to do when an insurance adjuster requests your medical records
Call us at (973) 279-7246 or contact us online for a free case review today.
Filing deadlines for back and spine injury claims
In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. Lodi cases are usually filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, in Bergen County, which sits in Hackensack.
Claims against a town, county, or state agency are much faster. Under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8, you usually must file a notice of claim within 90 days.
Waiting can also cost you evidence, like video footage and witness memories. Call us as soon as you can.
Additional reading: how long after a wreck you can file a claim in New Jersey
Medical proof that supports a spinal injury claim
Strong evidence is the backbone of a spinal injury claim. We work to collect:
- Police reports: Crash reports from the Lodi Police Department or the New Jersey State Police.
- Medical records: ER notes, MRI and CT scans, nerve studies, and surgical reports.
- Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the crash or fall.
- Photos and video: Pictures of the scene, the hazard, and your injuries, plus any security or dashcam footage.
- Work records: Pay stubs and letters from your employer showing lost time and income.
Gathering all of this while you are in pain is hard. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on your recovery.
Contingency fees for spinal injury cases
You pay nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you.
New Jersey Court Rule 1:21-7 limits contingency fees in personal injury cases. For example, the fee cannot be more than 33 1/3% of the first $750,000 recovered.
Why insurance insight helps our Lodi back injury lawyers
We know how insurance companies think because Peter used to work on their side. We use that knowledge to spot lowball tactics and push back.
We are also local. Our office is in Lodi, we answer calls 24/7, and we have been fighting for injured people in New Jersey for over 37 years.
When it comes to your back, our promise is simple: Injured in Jersey? Peter’s Got Your Back!
Talk to our team today at (973) 279-7246 or through our online contact form.
What are the main causes of spinal cord injuries in Lodi?
Local spine injury data for Lodi is limited, but national figures show what causes most cases. There are about 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
Since 2015, vehicle crashes have caused 37.5% of these injuries and falls have caused 31.7%. The average age at injury is now 43.
In Lodi, the most common causes of back and spinal cord injuries include:
- Car and truck crashes: Rear-end and side-impact collisions on Route 17 and local roads.
- Motorcycle and bike crashes: Riders have little protection when they are thrown.
- Pedestrian accidents: People walking near busy streets can suffer severe spine trauma.
- Slip and falls: Icy walkways, broken stairs, and wet floors.
- Workplace accidents: Falls from ladders and heavy lifting on job sites.
- Violence and sports injuries: Assaults and hard hits can also damage the spine.
Additional reading: what to do if you have back pain after being rear-ended
What is classed as a back or spinal injury?
A back injury is any damage to the bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, or nerves of the spine. A spinal cord injury is more serious because it damages the bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and body.
Common back and spinal injuries include:
- Herniated or bulging discs: Disc material shifts out of place and can press on nerves.
- Fractured vertebrae: Breaks in the bones of the spine, including compression and burst fractures.
- Cervical injuries: Neck damage, including whiplash and disc injuries.
- Lumbar injuries: Lower back damage that can cause sciatica and leg weakness.
- Injuries needing back surgery: Damage that requires a discectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the cord that can cause partial or total paralysis.
Doctors grade spinal cord injuries using the ASIA Impairment Scale. A complete injury means no feeling or movement remains below the injury, while an incomplete injury means some function remains.
| ASIA grade | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | Complete | No movement or feeling remains in the lowest part of the spinal cord. |
| B | Incomplete | Some feeling remains below the injury, but no movement. |
| C | Incomplete | Some movement remains, but most key muscles below the injury are weak. |
| D | Incomplete | Movement remains, and at least half of the key muscles below the injury can move against gravity. |
| E | Normal | Feeling and movement have returned to normal. |
Symptoms of a back or spinal cord injury
Some symptoms appear right away, while others build over days. See a doctor if you notice any of these after an accident:
- Back or neck pain: Sharp, burning, or aching pain that does not go away.
- Numbness or tingling: Loss of feeling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
- Weakness: Trouble gripping, lifting, standing, or walking.
- Radiating pain: Pain that shoots down an arm or leg, often from a pinched nerve.
- Bladder or bowel changes: Loss of control can signal serious nerve damage.
- Breathing trouble: This can happen with high neck injuries and needs emergency care.
No Fee Unless You Win
Learn more about our firm or read about our case wins and community work in our press releases.
No fee unless you win
Learn more about our firm or read about our case wins and community work in our press releases.
Get help from a back and spinal cord injury lawyer in Lodi
You do not have to face this alone. Call (973) 279-7246 any time, or reach us through our contact page for a free case review.
Our office is at 72 Essex Street, Suite 2, Lodi, NJ 07644. We will listen to your story and tell you how we can help.
No Fee Unless You Win
Call us 24/7 at (973) 310-6678 or contact us online for your free case review.
No fee unless you win
Call us 24/7 at (973) 310-6678 or contact us online for your free case review.
Lodi Office
Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request A Free Case Review
Fill out the form below or feel free to call us at (973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246
Required Fields*
Your Information Is Safe With Us
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim if I had back problems before the accident?
Yes, New Jersey law lets you recover when an accident makes an existing condition worse. Your doctors can compare older records and scans with new ones to show how the injury changed.
We use that proof to separate your old symptoms from the new harm the accident caused.
What if I hurt my back at work?
Workers’ compensation usually covers on-the-job back injuries, no matter who was at fault.
But if someone other than your employer caused the injury, like a negligent driver or contractor, you may also have a separate injury claim. That claim can include pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation does not pay.
Do I need surgery to have a back injury case?
No, many valid back injury claims never involve surgery. What matters is proof that someone else caused your injury and that it affects your life.
In car crash cases, the verbal threshold may apply, so objective medical tests and your doctor’s opinion become very important.
Will my health insurer get paid back from my settlement?
It might, because some health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid have a right to be repaid for injury-related bills from your recovery. This is called a lien.
We review every lien, confirm it is accurate, and work to reduce what you owe so more money stays in your pocket.
What is an independent medical exam?
An independent medical exam is a checkup by a doctor the insurance company chooses. Despite the name, that doctor often works for the insurer and may downplay your injury.
We help you prepare, explain what to expect, and challenge unfair reports with opinions from your own treating doctors.