What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is the major bundle of nerves that moves nerve impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injury usually starts with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae.
The impact causes the vertebrae to fracture or compress, which in turn crushes the extensive nerve cells that carry signals along the spinal cord between the brain and the body. The specific effect of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and severity of the injury. An injury to the spinal cord can damage a small number of axons or almost all of them.
Spinal cord injuries can be "complete" or "incomplete". Complete injuries lack sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries retain some sensory motor function below the injury site. Many brain and spinal cord injuries are irreversible. Neck injuries, back injuries, and spinal cord injuries can vary in severity and have a range of short and long-term complications.
Complications After a Spinal Cord Injury
In addition to draining the victim both physically and emotionally, spinal cord injuries can also drain a family's finances because medical care for spinal cord injuries is costly and long-term.
Many people who live with spinal cord injury have secondary complications including pain, respiratory and heart problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, pressure sores, respiratory complications, urinary tract infections, spasticity, and scoliosis.
Paraplegia is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. It is typically the result of spinal cord injury. The area of the spinal canal which is affected in paraplegia is either the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. If both arms are also affected by paralysis, quadriplegia is the proper terminology.
Damages Recoverable for Spinal Cord Injury Victims
Spinal cord injury victims often face and long and grueling road to recovery. But by hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to assist with your case, you can focus on your physical and emotional healing while your lawyer works on securing compensation.
Damages in a spinal cord injury case may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages/earning capacity
- Loss of essential services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The particulars of your case will determine what damages your attorney can recover. Insurance companies are notoriously stingy about paying out settlements, so having a passionate advocate on your side is key.
Davis Law Group has been representing spinal cord injury victims for nearly 25 years. For a free case evaluation with an attorney, contact us today: (206) 727-4000.
More Spinal Cord Injury Information
Car accidents are estimated to be the cause of 42.1 percent of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. each year. More than 11,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year in the United States. While some victims will experience a full recovery, others will be completely and permanently paralyzed.
The following are frequent causes of spinal cord injuries:
These incidents are also frequently the cause of other serious back injuries such as a herniated disc, cervical facet join injury, and severe whiplash injury, among others.
Spinal cord injuries can be independent or coexist with these types of injuries in serious cases, and the long-term recovery facing victims of these types of accidents is often significant.
Free Consultations For Spinal Cord Injury Victims
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, it may be in your best interests to consult with an experienced attorney with experience handling spinal cord injury claims. The law allows accident victims to seek compensation for personal injury that occurs as a result of the negligence of another person, business or entity.
The degree of rehabilitation and long-term care typically associated with spinal cord injuries makes it even more important that victims have a full understanding of their legal rights before pursuing a claim. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury and would like to learn more about your legal rights, contact attorney Chris Davis and the team at Davis Law Group at (20) 727-4000 to schedule your free legal consultation.
