Spinal cord injuries are among the most common and the most devastating traumatic injuries which are exhibited in personal injury cases. The most common cause of spinal cord injuries is car accidents, which represents approximately half of the cases. The rest of these situations are generally the result of falls from high places, sports injuries, and violence (such as a shooting or stabbing.)
Spinal cord injuries can also be the result of an infection or tumor which affects this area of the body, but most of the new cases each year – approximately 12,000 annually – are traumatic injuries which statistically affect young men in vast proportions.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are varying of spinal cord injuries.
- Complete spinal cord injury indicates that nerve signals can no longer be sent below the injury level.
- When a patient has incomplete spinal cord injury, they still experience partial movement or sensation below the level of injury.
- Tetraplegia results in either total or partial loss of the torso and limbs.
- Paraplegia leaves the arms unaffected by the paralysis.
The High Cost of Spinal Cord Rehabilitation and Treatment
When a spinal cord injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, it falls squarely into the realm of personal injury law. An injured party has every right to pursue damages for the harm done to them from the person or organization responsible – especially because these injuries tend to affect every area of the person’s life go forward. These injuries are exceptionally expensive to treat, and their effects are life long.
The actual costs asssociated with a spinal cord injury will vary greatly based upon the extent of the paralysis, and its effect on a person’s ability to take care of themselves, mobilize, and work.
It is estimated that in the first year after a traumatic accident, medical costs will range from $335,000 to over $1 million dollars. (Source: Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation) These costs are so high due to initial treatment, surgeries, hospital stays and rehabilitation center stays. After the first year, the average cost to care for a person with this type of injury ranges from a low end of $40,000 to upwards of $175,000.
In addition to current and ongoing medical bills, a personal injury lawsuit may look for damages to reflect the following areas:
- Retrofitting the plaintiff’s home (with ramps, wider doors, and grab bars, for instance)
- Obtaining and customizing a vehicle to accomodate their limitations
- Paying for additional schooling or training for a new career
- Retribution for lost wages for a career cut short
- Emotional pain and suffering damages, as well as loss of consortium or loss of relationship
- Cost of in-home medical caregiver if necessary
- Psychiatric care to help deal with the loss and post-traumatic stress
Spinal cord injuries are so dehabilitating because they often require the patient to completely change their life – relationships change, future plans change, and their day to day routine is radically altered. They often can no longer dress themselves, get to work, or cook themselves a meal. Because each case is so different , it is imperative that you call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
We will help you to determine if you have a case, deal with your insurance company (as well as the defendant’s insurance company), as well as collect all relevant doctor notes, charts and prognoses you will need for your case. If you are from the Tampa or Sarasota area and have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or lack of competence, call Probinsky & Cole. We understand that this is a very difficult time, and will do all we can to assist.
