Another common spinal injury is traumatic damage to an intravertebral disc. Disc injuries are often grouped into four categories: degeneration, protrusion, herniation and fragmentation.

Disc degeneration causes a bulge or a loss of disc height where the annular fibers remain intact. A protrusion—sometimes known as a prolapsed—is a bulge where some annular fibers are lost but others remain intact. A herniation—sometimes known as an extrusion—results from a loss of annular fibers in a manner that allows the jelly-like disc nucleus to extrude through the annular tear. Finally, fragmentation—sometimes known as sequestration—occurs when either or both of the annulus or the nucleus separates from disc. More…

Whether they happen as a result of an automobile accident, a work place injury or because of a defective product, spinal injuries invoke fear because at their worst, they give rise to images of wheelchairs and permanent, life-changing paralysis. While the most severe spinal injuries can be life altering, there are many ways that the spine can be injured that are serious, but not paralyzing. Because spinal injuries are actually more common than most people think, it is worthwhile to understand the anatomy of the spine and how the spine can be injured.

ANATOMY OF THE SPINE

The basic structures that make up the spine include the spinal cord, the nerve roots that exit the cord and travel to all parts of the body, the vertebra that protect the cord, the ligaments that support the spine and the intervertebral discs between most of the vertebra. More…

David L. Cook, a partner at the law firm of Faraci Lange LLP, is the recipient of the 2010 Pro Bono Award from the U.S. District Court, Western District of New York.

Cook was presented the award at the annual Western District Federal Court Dinner on Nov. 8, 2010.

This award is the latest recognition of David Cook’s pro bono legal work. Previous awards include the New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award, the Volunteer Legal Service Project’s William McNight Pro Bono Award, a finalist for The Daily Record’s Nathaniel Award, and recognition from the Wayne County Action for Racial Equality.

A resident of Pittsford, N.Y., Cook focuses his practice on commercial and real estate litigation, environmental law, agriculture law, labor and employment, and personal injury law.

Stephen G. Schwarz, Faraci Lange LLP’s managing partner, has been appointed the Upstate New York Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL).

Schwarz’s tenure as chair began at the completion of the ACTL’s 60^th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 26, and it runs from 2010 to 2011. Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was inducted at the meeting as an honorary fellow of the college joining all of her other Supreme Court colleagues. Schwarz joined 61 other state and province chairs and over 1400 fellows of the college from across the U.S. and Canada at the meeting which was addressed by Sotomayor as well as the chief justices of the United Kingdom, Canada and the retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of Australia.

A Fairport, N.Y. resident, Schwarz focuses his legal practice on personal injury and business litigation, including medical malpractice, serious auto accident cases, product liability, and toxic tort and environmental contamination cases in both state and federal courts.

The American College of Trial Lawyers, is an invitation only organization composed of the most experienced and respected members of the trial bar from the U.S. and Canada and is widely considered the premier professional trial organization in America. Founded in 1950, the ACTL is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession. Angelo G. Faraci and Brian M. Zorn of Faraci Lange also are ACTL fellows.

Faraci Lange attorney Brian M. Zorn has been named the Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Rochester, N.Y., according to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America^®.

Zorn, a partner with Faraci Lange LLP, was recognized for receiving high ratings in Best Lawyers’ surveys, earning a high level of respect among his peers for his abilities, professionalism and integrity.

Named to Best Lawyers since 1995, Zorn focuses his practice on medical malpractice law, personal injury litigation and product liability litigation. He is a Victor, N.Y. resident.

Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, is based on an exhaustive annual survey in which more than 39,000 leading attorneys cast more than 3.1 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating Lawyers of the Year in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the Lawyer of the Year.