A spinal cord injury refers to damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, disks of the spinal column, or the spinal column itself may result in a spinal cord injury, there may be permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions.
Following a crash or fall resulting in serious injuries, a personal injury attorney can investigate fault, insurance coverage and potential claims for injuries and damages.
A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that factures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more vertebrae. Automobile and motorcycle accidents are leading causes of spinal cord injuries, accounting for almost half of them. Wearing a seatbelt while in a vehicle and driving sober are the best forms of prevention. Falls are the second-leading cause of spinal cord injuries, which are attributed to more than 15% of cases.
The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location of the injury along the spinal cord as well as the severity of the injury to the spinal cord. Signs and symptoms include loss of movement, loss of sensation, and loss of bowel or bladder control. Emergency signs include extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back, as well as paralysis in any part of the body.
Anyone who experiences significant trauma to the head or neck should seek medical evaluation. A serious spinal injury may not be immediately obvious. Numbness or paralysis may come on gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord. Doctors may be able to assess spinal cord injuries through X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other neurological testing.
Paralysis from a spinal cord injury may be referred to as tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, which means that your arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected by your spinal cord injury. Paraplegia is when paralysis affects all or part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs.
Patients may require extensive rehabilitation and medical devices to assist in dealing with such issues as bladder and bowel control, circulation, breathing, and maintaining muscle mass.
Following a collision with injuries, a serious injuries attorney like one from the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC, can investigate fault, applicable insurance and evaluate claims for injuries and damages. The consultation should be free and confidential. There should be no fees unless a settlement is obtained.