A spinal cord injury can impact every aspect of your life, effecting you mentally, emotionally and socially, not to mention financially with ongoing medical costs and loss of income.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a spinal cord injury — damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina) — often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury.
Spinal cord injuries may result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself. Additional damage usually occurs over days or weeks because of bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around your spinal cord.
What causes of spinal cord injury can result in personal injury cases?
A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. for younger people, while falls are the leading cause for people over the age of 65.
Spinal cord injuries can also be caused by defective products (for example seatbelts or airbags).
Why do I need a personal injury attorney for my spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury lawsuits are often complex, with legal issues such as establishing fault and negligence as well as ongoing and complicated medical issues.
The purpose of a spinal cord case is to compensate for losses caused by the accident and injury. Since the medical expenses are often ongoing and the injury can have permanent effects, damages can also include ongoing expenses for health care and rehabilitation, assistive devices (such as motorized wheelchairs), and adaptations to the victim’s home like access ramps.
If you or a family member have been in an accident and suffered spinal cord injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit for compensation for your injuries and losses.
