How Dangerous Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are often devastating to victims, leaving them with chronic pain, limited mobility in various parts of the body and ongoing medical issues. The spinal cord controls communication between the brain and every part of the body, so serious injuries can truly impact every part of your health.

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence, it’s time to talk to an attorney and learn more about your options. Call Pack Law Group at 540-586-7225 to set up a consultation now.

Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are defined in multiple ways. The first is whether it is a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. Complete spinal cord injuries result in such conditions as:

• Tetraplegia
• Paraplegia
• Triplegia

Incomplete spinal cord injuries, include:

• Anterior injuries occur at the front of the spinal cord, that affect the sensory pathways and motor
• Central injuries cause nerve damage
• Brown-Sequard injuries affect one side of the spinal cord

Spinal cord injuries are also categorized by their location:

• Cervical spinal cord injuries impact the head and neck, and since everything below that level is affected, this is the most severe type of spinal cord injury. Those with cervical spinal cord injuries often have a permanent loss of sensory input and some level of mobility.
• Thoracic spinal cord injuries affect the chest and abdominal region. Damage to this area could lead to complications with the lungs, diaphragm, and muscles that help you breathe. These injuries can also affect your balance and stability.
• Lumbar spinal cord injuries primarily affect the hips and legs. These types of injuries are likely to limit your use of your legs, so many victims require a wheelchair, crutches or walker.
• Sachral spinal cord injuries: The final type of spinal cord injury is a sacral injury, which impacts the hips, butt and sexual organs. People with injuries in this area may suffer from incontinence or sexual dysfunction.

Hiring an attorney ensures that you have someone fighting for your best interests. Your attorney will know how your injuries have impacted your life and be able to determine the value of your injuries.

Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are traced back to a wide variety of causes. Some of the most commonly reported causes include:

• Car accidents
• Slips and falls
• Gunshots and other types of assault
• Motorcycle accidents
• Diving

Any type of accident or attack that causes severe trauma to the back can cause a spinal cord injury. However, spinal cord injuries aren’t always immediately apparent. You might experience soreness, stiffness, tingling or difficulty moving your extremities. In some cases, accident victims believe that they’re just experiencing residual pain from the accident itself.

This is why it’s so important to seek medical attention promptly after an accident. The prognosis for a spinal cord injury often depends on how quickly it is identified and how quickly treatment begins. By getting medical care right away, you may be able to influence the outcome of your injury.

You Deserve Damages And Compensation

If you’re seeking compensation for a spinal cord injury, you’ll need to prove liability and damages. Proving liability involves showing that the other party had a duty of care to you and failed to fulfill that duty. Then you must demonstrate that their failure caused the accident that led to your injuries. You must also be able to link the accident to your injuries.

At Pack Law Group, our priority is getting our clients full and fair compensation for the injuries they have suffered. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, call us at 540-586-7225 or get in touch with us online to set up a consultation.