A spinal cord injury can be traumatic and life-changing for the victim. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are approximately 282,000 people in the United States who are currently living with a spinal cord injury, and another 17,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
If you are one of these people who are living with a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation if the injury occurred as a result of someone’s negligence.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either incomplete or complete. Incomplete injuries occur when the spinal cord is only partially severed, so the victim may still have some functioning below the level of the injury. Complete injuries occur when the spinal cord is completely severed, so the victim may no longer be able to control his body below the level of the injury.
Spinal cord injuries are also labeled based on the loss of function the victim experiences. A quadriplegia or tetraplegia label is given to those who have lost movement and sensation in all four limbs. Paraplegia is used to describe injuries that result in loss of function in just two limbs, usually both legs, and triplegia is the term given to a spinal cord injury that has resulted in the loss of function in three limbs.
Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
Unfortunately, spinal cord injury treatment can be extensive. Victims may need to be hospitalized and given a ventilator and/or feeding tube immediately following the causing event. Depending on the type of injury, you may need to undergo emergency surgery. Victims will usually need months of physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to regain their strength and relearn how to walk and move certain parts of the body.
Some victims will need treatment for their emotional distress as well. A spinal cord injury can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life, and this is very difficult for some people to deal with. They may require counseling to learn how to cope with the major changes in their lives.
Treating a spinal cord injury is expensive. If your injury was caused by someone’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay these medical expenses on your own. Talk to an attorney at the Trial Lawyers for Justice to learn how you can recover compensation for your medical bills and more.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
A number of different events can cause a spinal cord injury, but the most common types include:
Car Crashes
Crashes involving motor vehicles are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are most at risk during a car crash because they lack the protection that drivers have inside their vehicles.
Slip and Falls
Spinal cord injuries can also occur during slip and falls. For example, if you slip on a puddle of water in a retail store and fall backwards, you may suffer a spinal cord injury. This is especially common in older adults, however it can happen to anyone.
Swimming Pools
People can suffer spinal cord injuries if they dive into the shallow end of the pool or try to jump off of a defective diving board.
Construction
Those who work in construction are at a greater risk of suffering from a spinal cord injury than others. These injuries can occur on a construction site as a result of defective or malfunctioning equipment, slip and falls, or being struck by a heavy object.
Help For Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, contact the Trial Lawyers for Justice to discuss your legal options. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call 866-854-5529 to schedule your free consultation today.