The central nervous system is comprised of the spinal cord and the brain. The spinal cord is made up of nerve fibers that transmit impulses to and from the brain. Because a healthy spinal cord is integral in ensuring function and sensation throughout the entire, spinal injuries can be exceptionally devastating. A severe spinal cord injury often results in significantly reduced quality of life.
The most common cause of spinal injuries is car accidents. However, these injuries can be caused by a hard fall, such as off a ladder; as well as diving and sports-related accidents.
Spinal injuries can irrevocably change the rest of the patient’s life. Here are some facts you need to know in regards to this class of injury.
- Spinal cord injuries exist in a wide range of severity and depend largely on the location of the injury along the spine. Physicians use the term “neurological level” when referencing the lowest normal part of the spinal cord. The severity of the injury is called “the completeness” of it. If an injury is complete, it typically results in the total loss of feeling and motor function below the location of spinal injury. If it is incomplete, some motor function or feeling is likely present.
- Common symptoms of spinal injuries include extreme back pain, back pressure, numb sensation in extremities, loss of bladder control, paralysis in any part of your body, or impaired breathing. If you have been in an accident and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should immediately have your spine checked.
- Across the board, car accidents are the most common cause of spinal injuries. However, this does vary by demographic. For instance, in people who are 65 or older in age, the most common cause of these injuries is a slip and fall. Gunshot wounds also cause this type of paralysis. often suffered by police officers and other LEOs.
- Some spinal cord injuries will not be immediately evident. If an accident victim is not checked out and does not know they have been injured, the severity of the trauma could worsen. As swelling and bleeding intensifies around the spinal cord following an accident, paralysis and numbness could onset over time. The interim between when the injury happened and when treatment is received will often determine how severe the end result will be.
Because of the seriousness of spinal injuries, it is absolutely imperative that you see a medical professional and get your spine checked after any accident, even if only mildly traumatic.
Spinal Injuries and Compensation
As with any personal injury which is incurred, your first line of defense will be your own insurance company for reimbursement of medical bills, as well as lost wages.
However, because of the lifelong implications of spinal injuries, you may choose to pursue a personal injury settlement from the other party, if they were negligent. For instance, a person hit by a drunk driver and paralyzed for life will have lifelong medical bills, lost wages, and even may have to retrofit their vehicle, home, and workplace in order to live their lives.
Spinal cord injuries may also fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice law, if your injury is the result of a botched medical procedure or diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, be sure to get the very best medical care as soon as possible. Then call the attorneys at Probinsky & Cole to discuss what you need to do to protect yourself and get the financial compensation you need to move on with your life.
