Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Anchorage

Two Attorneys Handling Every Catastrophic Injury Claim

A claim involving spinal cord damage must account for more than immediate hospital bills. At Kelley & Canterbury, Michaela Kelley Canterbury and Christopher Canterbury work together on every case, developing evidence of the injury’s medical, financial, and personal consequences. Each attorney has more than 30 years of legal experience.

Our family-owned Alaska personal injury firm has represented injured people since 1975. We’ve taken significant personal injury cases to the Alaska Supreme Court, and we prepare these claims to address difficult factual, insurance, and legal disputes.

Call (888) 639-4817 for a free evaluation with our Anchorage spinal cord injury lawyers. We can review the circumstances of the injury and discuss the next steps available under Alaska law.

How Spinal Cord Injuries Affect Daily Life

A spinal cord injury damages the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the body. The location and extent of the damage affect movement, sensation, and bodily function. Some injuries cause limited impairment, while others result in extensive, permanent changes.

Long-term needs can include mobility support, skin care, and bowel and bladder management. Treatment may also involve surgery, inpatient care, medical rehabilitation, assistive equipment, and continuing therapy. These demands can reshape daily life for the injured person and family members.

Trauma Care & Medical Rehabilitation in Anchorage

Anchorage has important medical resources for people with catastrophic injuries. Alaska Native Medical Center and Providence Alaska Medical Center are Level II adult and pediatric trauma centers. Providence St. Elias Specialty Hospital treats spinal cord injury patients and provides inpatient medical rehabilitation accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

We handle catastrophic injury cases involving spinal damage and document both the care already received and future medical needs. Hospital discharge may be only one stage of recovery. Long-term rehabilitation, changes in independence, and new family responsibilities can remain central to the claim.

Compensation After a Spinal Cord Injury in Anchorage

Compensation may address economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are measurable financial losses, while noneconomic damages address personal losses that don’t come with an invoice. The amount available depends on the evidence, insurance coverage, liability, and Alaska law.

Losses commonly evaluated in a catastrophic injury claim include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs and mobility-related needs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Permanent lifestyle changes

Alaska doesn’t cap economic damages such as medical expenses and lost earning capacity. Noneconomic damages are generally capped at the greater of $400,000 or $8,000 multiplied by the injured person’s life expectancy in years. For severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap rises to the greater of $1,000,000 or $25,000 multiplied by life expectancy.

Comparative Fault in Alaska

Alaska follows pure comparative fault. This rule reduces a claimant’s recovery by the percentage of fault assigned to that person, but shared fault alone doesn’t bar recovery. Because insurers may dispute how an accident occurred, we gather physical evidence, review available records, and interview witnesses when building the liability case.

The Filing Deadline

Alaska generally provides two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit. The discovery rule can delay when that period begins if the injury or its cause wasn’t immediately apparent. The statute of limitations is also tolled, meaning legally paused, while an injured person is a minor or legally incompetent.

Exceptions depend on the facts, so it’s risky to assume additional time applies. An early review also allows us to identify evidence before records are lost, physical conditions change, or witnesses become difficult to locate.

What to Expect from Our Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

During a free initial case evaluation, we review available police reports, medical documentation, and liability facts. You work directly with Michaela and Chris rather than having the legal strategy handed off. They examine how the injury occurred, which parties may bear responsibility, and what documentation is needed to present the full scope of the loss.

Our representation includes:

• Insurance communications: We handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies so you can focus on treatment and rehabilitation.
• Evidence development: We collect physical evidence, review relevant documentation, and interview witnesses.
• Trial-ready preparation: We build each file to support a well-documented position in negotiations or court.

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront legal costs or retainers, and we receive a fee only if we recover funds for you. During the initial evaluation, we can explain the arrangement and answer questions about the process before you decide how to proceed.