Catastrophic Nerve Injury Lawsuits
A major nerve injury can upend every part of life; pain, weakness, loss of sensation, loss of function, and a long road of surgeries and therapy. In the first days and weeks, you’re forced to make medical, insurance, and employment decisions while trying to heal. Our role is to steady that chaos. We move fast to secure evidence, notify the right parties, and protect your claim so you can focus on recovery.
We handle nerve-injury cases arising from violent trauma (crashes, crush/entrapment, electrocution), unsafe worksites and products, and medical negligence (transection, compression, mismanaged compartment syndrome, anesthesia-related injury). From day one, we assemble the right team for catastrophic cases: neurosurgeons and peripheral nerve specialists, EMG/NCS experts, radiologists (including MR neurography), life-care planners, vocational and economic experts.
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
Our Results
McEldrew Purtell has a proven track record of maximizing recovery for our clients.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Ways We Can Help
Below are common sources of severe peripheral and cranial nerve injuries. For each, we develop proof on mechanism (stretch/avulsion, laceration, compression/ischemia, thermal/electrical) and pursue every responsible party to seek full compensation.
Civil Rights / Excessive Force
Prolonged tight restraints, positional compression, or electric devices can cause focal neuropathies. Potentially liable parties: municipalities, police departments/officers, private security.
Birth & Neonatal Injury (Brachial Plexus)
Shoulder dystocia mismanagement and excessive traction can cause Erb’s/Klumpke’s palsy. Potentially liable parties: delivering providers, hospitals.
Toxic Exposures & Neurotoxins
Solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and certain drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy. Potentially liable parties: manufacturers, distributors, employers/contractors, premises owners.
Crush Injuries & Compartment Syndrome
Elevated compartment pressures or delayed fasciotomy lead to ischemic nerve damage. Potentially liable parties: negligent motorists/employers/contractors; medical providers for delayed diagnosis/treatment.
Electrocution & Electrical Injury
Electrical current can cause acute neuropathy and delayed progressive nerve dysfunction. Potentially liable parties: utilities/contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, event operators.
Medical Negligence (Surgical/Iatrogenic)
Nerve transection, excessive retraction, malpositioning, tourniquet injury, injection injury, compartment syndrome mismanagement, or delayed treatment of vascular compromise. Potentially liable parties: hospitals, surgeons/anesthesiologists, ED providers, wound-care/home-health teams where care fell below the standard and caused harm.
Unsafe Premises & Entrapment Hazards
Unprotected pinch points, defective gates/elevators, or collapsing structures can cause nerve-damaging crush injuries. Potentially liable parties: owners/managers/tenants with control, maintenance contractors, security/safety vendors; equipment manufacturers/installers if a defect contributed.
Defective Products & Tools
Design defects, missing guards, or inadequate instructions can cause lacerations and crush injuries leading to neurotmesis or chronic compression. Potentially liable parties: product manufacturer, component suppliers, designers, distributors/retailers, remanufacturers/installers.
Construction Falls & Struck-By Events
Falls, dropped loads, and equipment strikes cause traction injuries, compartment syndrome, or fracture-dislocations with nerve damage. Potentially liable parties: subcontractors, site GC, property owners/managers, crane/hoist operators, equipment manufacturers.
Workplace & Industrial Machine Incidents
Unguarded presses, conveyors, unexpected start-ups, and entanglement cause laceration or traction injuries to major nerves. Potentially liable parties: machine manufacturers (design/warnings), component suppliers, maintenance vendors, site GC/subs, premises owners, staffing/safety firms (third-party claims; workers’ comp may limit suits against a direct employer).
Rideshare & Delivery Collisions
Rapid acceleration/deceleration, airbag deployment, and compartment intrusion can injure cervical nerve roots and peripheral nerves in the upper/lower limb. Potentially liable parties: rideshare/delivery driver, platform (insurance stack), third-party motorists, product manufacturers (defective restraints/airbags).
Commercial Truck & Bus Crashes
High-energy impacts and intrusions can cause brachial plexus avulsion, peroneal/sciatic palsy, and complex polyneuropathy. Potentially liable parties: driver, motor carrier (hiring/training/HOS), shipper/broker (negligent selection/load securement), maintenance contractors, parts manufacturers (brakes/tires).
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Hear From Our Clients
At McEldrew Purtell, results matter and so does the way we achieve them. While our case outcomes reflect our tenacity in court and at the negotiation table, it’s the voices of our clients that truly capture who we are and why we do this work.
We represent people at the worst moments of their lives: after catastrophic injuries, workplace tragedies, and preventable losses. Through every case, we aim to deliver not just compensation but clarity, confidence, and care.
If you’re considering working with a Philadelphia trial lawyer, we invite you to read what our clients have said about their experiences with McEldrew Purtell. Their words are the most powerful testament to our values, our dedication, and our results.
Learn More
Sepsis and Serious Infections Linked to Product Defect: Contaminated Reusable Scopes
In a number of occurrences, people have gone in for routine or necessary scope procedures and come out with severe infections, repeat hospitalizations, IV antibiotics, and in some cases, death. The danger is not limited to one brand or one…
McEldrew Purtell and Dan Purtell Named Finalists in 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards
McEldrew Purtell is proud to announce that the firm has been named a finalist for Law Firm of the Year and Dan Purtell has been named a finalist for Managing Partner of the Year in the 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards…
Insulin Pump / CGM Failures: Over-Delivery, Under-Delivery, and Severe Outcomes
A defective or malfunctioning insulin pump does not just create inconvenience. It can lead to under-delivery or interruption of insulin, dangerous hyperglycemia, and emergency care. FDA reports on recent corrections describe hundreds of adverse events and dozens of injuries tied…
Company Accident Reports vs. Reality: How Maritime Investigations Uncover What Happened
Right after a maritime incident, the first story usually comes from the company. A supervisor’s write-up, an internal “safety report,” or a quick email to management can sound definitive. But those early narratives are often incomplete, shaped by limited information,…
South Philadelphia Parking Garage Collapse Raises Questions About Premises Liability and Third-Party Worksite Claims
A partial parking garage collapse in South Philadelphia has left one person dead and two others believed to be missing, according to current reporting. The collapse was reported just after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, on the 3000…
Inc. Names McEldrew Purtell to Its 2026 List of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Northeast
Companies on the Inc. Regionals: Northeast list had a median growth rate of 73 percent. Philadelphia, PA, March 31st, 2026 – Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, revealed today that…
FAQs
Get answers to commonly asked questions regarding major nerve injuries and learn how we can help with your case.
What is a “major” nerve injury?
A nerve injury that permanently impairs function, sensation, or causes chronic pain, often requiring surgery and long-term care.
How are nerve injuries diagnosed and proved in court?
Through clinical exams, EMG/NCS, advanced imaging (e.g., MR neurography), operative findings, and consistent functional testing; we align these with mechanism and timing.
What symptoms suggest a major nerve injury versus a minor one?
Marked weakness or paralysis, loss of sensation, severe “electric/burning” pain, muscle wasting, or autonomic changes (color/temperature/sweating). If you notice any of these, get evaluated promptly.
How soon should I see a nerve specialist?
As early as possible. Some repairs and decompressions are time sensitive. We help you get to a peripheral nerve or neurosurgical consult quickly.
When are EMG/NCS or MR neurography useful?
EMG/NCS can help confirm injury and reinnervation; they’re most informative a few weeks after injury. MR neurography can visualize nerve inflammation or discontinuity. We coordinate testing and interpret it with retained experts.
What should I avoid doing after a nerve injury?
Don’t give recorded statements or broad medical authorizations to insurers, don’t post about your activity on social media, and don’t miss appointments or create gaps in care. These are routinely used to attack your claim.
