If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, it is important that you begin looking out for your best interests.

Understanding the severity of spinal cord injuries

by | Aug 25, 2017 | Injuries

One of the most common forms of injuries resulting from a serious car accident are spinal cord injuries. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, over one-third of all spinal cord injuries in the United States are attributed to motor vehicle accidents.

A spinal cord injury occurs when the discs of bone in the spine, called “vertebrae,” are dislocated or shattered following a sudden impact with the spine. This can lead to fragments of bone or ligaments to bruise or tear the spinal cord, which affects the nerves that control movements in the body. Following an accident, blood or fluid buildup as well as swelling can cause further injury.

Spinal cord injuries can cause serious disabilities, including numbness or tingling in various parts of the body, difficulty in walking or balancing, bladder or bowel control issues, breathing difficulties and even long-term or permanent loss of movement, called paralysis. Although there are various types of rehabilitation and treatments available, serious spinal cord injuries could still leave a victim unable to work or to maintain a normal lifestyle.

If you have been the victim of a spinal cord injury, you may want to speak with a law firm that handles personal injuries to see whether you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Depending upon the situation, you may be entitled to compensation for not only medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, but pain and suffering and lost wages as well. For family members who lost a loved one as result of a fatal car accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering as well as future lost wages as well. While an award can never replace the loss of a loved one, it can prove to be helpful in providing some financial relief due to the family’s loss.

Source: Live Science, “Spinal Cord Injury: Levels, Symptoms & Treatment,” Accessed on Aug. 21, 2017

Archives

FindLaw Network