Spinal cord injuries can come from many different situations, including things like surgical errors and traumatic injuries like car accidents or assaults. The spinal cord is extremely important for proper body functions, and an injury to it can have widespread and life-altering impacts on the victim. In the event that you have suffered from a spinal cord injury that was the result of someone else’s actions, another party’s irresponsibility or failure to keep you safe, you may be able to seek compensation from them in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. This can include things like car accidents, assaults, medical malpractice, defective products, and more.
If you are unsure of your rights and options or would like to be connected with an attorney through 1800-Injured’s referral network, contact us immediately. We will find a lawyer who will take your case and fight for all of the money that you rightfully deserve. If you are dealing with an insurance company, or directly with the responsible party or their legal representation, do not go any further in your communications until you are properly represented by a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to handle all negotiations, work towards a settlement agreement, and will ultimately determine if it is appropriate to move forward with a lawsuit.
Before you and your attorney decide to move forward with a lawsuit, you will build a case that clearly illustrates all of the impacts that you have suffered as a result of your injuries, and will include all of these details into the overall picture that proves the amount that you deserve for compensation. Read more below about spinal cord injuries, the accidents that cause them, and your options for compensation if you have been injured.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is one of the most complicated and integral parts of the human body, meaning that no two injuries are alike, and no two situations have the same impacts as another injury, even if they appear similar. However, spinal cord injuries are divided into two major categories: incomplete spinal cord Injuries and complete spinal cord injuries.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that the spinal cord and the spinal nerves are only partially severed, meaning that the victim may still have use of certain appendages and functions. Even though these injuries do not come with the full loss of all functions, these injuries are still extremely serious and impactful. In some cases, physical therapy may help the sufferer regain some, if not all, of that lost function.
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury is one where the spinal cord is fully severed, meaning that the victim loses all function below the point of injury. These are the most severe spinal cord injuries and can impact the victim in many different ways. With physical therapy, there are some instances where the victim may be able to regain some motor functions in their body, but it is not certain in any case.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Again, there are no two spinal cord injuries that are exactly alike, meaning that yous experience or symptoms may be different from the ones mentioned in this list. However, these are some of the most common symptoms that come with spinal injuries:
Paralysis
Paralysis is designated as either monoplegia, paraplegia, or quadriplegia. These terms refer to the loss of a single limb or area of the body, both legs, or all four limbs, respectively. Complete spinal cord injuries most-often result in quadriplegia, while partial spinal cord injuries may cause loss of use in one limb, both legs, or possibly an arm and both legs depending.
Difficulty or Inability to Breath Without Respirator
In certain cases, a spinal cord injury can impact the victim’s ability to breathe properly on their own. In these cases, the victim may need a respirator to regulate their breathing or may require extensive physical therapy to retrain their bodies to breathe on their own.
Loss of Control Over Bladder and/or Bowels
Depending on the type of spinal cord injury and the nerves that were damaged or severed, the victim may lose their ability to control their bladder or bowels and may need assistance in order to manage these functions properly.
Headaches
Pain from a spinal cord injury can be widespread but may manifest itself as a severe headache in many common cases. This could be because of nerve injuries, issues of blood flow, or any other variety of problems caused by the initial injury.
Spasms
In some cases, paralysis may be spastic, meaning that the muscles either spasm or go through periods of extreme and painful tension. These spasms may be helped with physical therapy or other forms of intervention but can be extremely damaging and painful.
Seeking Personal Injury Damages After a Spinal Cord Injury
If you or someone you love has suffered from a spinal cord injury as a result of either someone else’s actions, negligence, or failure of their duty of care, then these injuries may deserve compensation through a personal injury lawsuit or settlement. In addition to the obvious issues of medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disability that comes with serious spinal cord injuries, a personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights.
Your case will include non-economic damages such as your pain and suffering, the depression and sadness you experience after your loss of mobility and functions, as well as the other “intangible” aspects and impacts of your injuries. Injuries go far beyond the financial cost of recovery and treatment, and victims deserve to be compensated fairly. Even though a substantial financial award will not undo the injuries, it will provide you or your loved one the means necessary to get the care that they need without having the added stress of worrying about money.
1800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can get you the help you need to recover from your spinal cord injuries. Contact 1800-Injured today to connect with our network of attorneys as soon as possible. You can start working on your case and get the justice that you deserve.