Sandra shares how, at 17 years old, her life changed forever after she was thrown into the shallow end of a swimming pool, striking her head on the bottom and breaking her neck at the C4-C5 level. The spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. She remembers the moment a neurosurgeon told her she would never walk again, describing the experience as surreal and difficult to comprehend.
Sandra’s sister, who had been accepted to law school, researched personal injury lawyers and repeatedly came across Roger Oatley’s name. Sandra recalls meeting Roger while she was still in the hospital wearing a halo brace. She says his compassionate approach and clear explanation of the legal process gave her confidence that someone would advocate for her future. Throughout her case, her legal team carefully documented the lifelong costs associated with her injury, including personal care, accessible transportation, and other supports required to maintain her independence.
Today, Sandra says the settlement allowed her to build an accessible home designed to meet her needs, including features that let her remain fully involved in family life. She also fulfilled her dream of becoming a mother to twin daughters. Looking back, Sandra encourages anyone with a spinal cord injury to seek an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands the long-term impact of catastrophic injuries and will advocate for their future.