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Accident Victims with Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility and/or feeling. There most common causes of spinal cord injuries are trauma (car accident, gunshot, falls, etc.) or disease (polio, spina bifida, Friedreich’s ataxia, etc.).

The spinal cord does not have to be severed for a loss of function to occur. In fact, in most people with spinal cord injury, the cord is intact, but the damage to it results in loss of function. Spinal cord injury is very different from back injuries, such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves.

While spinal cord injuries are rare when compared to other personal injury cases, the stats show a lot of people deal with these types of injuries. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) - in the U.S. alone, there is 17,730 new SCI cases every year.

In total, there are an estimated 291,000 people living with a spinal cord injury throughout the country. A spinal cord injury can have lifelong effects on a victim's life. SCI victims may spend millions of dollars over the course of their lifetimes on expenses related to their injury. In many cases, it is incredibly important for victims to seek legal assistance in order to obtain compensation for the damages they suffer as a result of their injury.

YOur Spinal Cord and Types of Spinal Cord Injury

Your spine plays a crucial role in protecting the nerves of your body. The spinal cord is a column of nerve fibers and tissue that is enclosed in and protected by the spine. These nerves are responsible for connecting nearly all parts of the body to the brain, making up our central nervous system. If damage is done to the spinal nerve cells, called neurons, or if the nerves are somehow severed, the spinal cord will have difficulty delivering signals to the brain. The affected areas may lose sensation or the ability to function, either temporarily or permanently.

The severity of the injury, also called the "completeness," will vary depending on where the injury occurred and the severity of the impact. Those who have suffered trauma to the head, neck, or back may not be immediately aware that they have suffered a spinal cord injury. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention after an accident to ensure that you are in good health.

Symptoms of a possible spinal cord injury include:

  • The Loss Of Mobility And Movement

  • Lost Or Depleted Sensation, Such As Not Being Able To Feel Heat Or Cold

  • Can’t Control The Bladder, Loss Of Bowel Control

  • Exaggerated Reflexes Or Muscle Spasms

  • Pain (From Nagging To Severe) Like A Pinched Nerve Or Nerve Damage

  • Trouble Or Difficulty Breathing

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by trauma or medical illness. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the majority of spinal cord injuries in the United States are caused by car accidents (about 37 percent). Besides vehicle accidents, let’s take a look at other common spinal cord injury causes.

It’s not uncommon to experience additional damage to your spinal cord a few days after the accident. Bleeding, swelling, and fluid can accumulate around the spinal cord, resulting in further injury.

As we always say, this is why you want to seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. Even if you feel completely fine, go to the hospital and see a doctor.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries

We can’t stress it enough. If you’re ever injured, you always want to make sure you go to the hospital and get tested. Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically increase your odds for recovery. Most doctors will start with a neurological exam to test the patient's sensitivity to touch, ability to move, and reflexes to determine if damage may exist and where that damage may be located.

The doctor may also perform:

  • X-Rays: If you’re not familiar with what a X-ray is, it’s an imaging test that creates pictures of internal body structures using radiation and electromagnetic waves. Bones and tissues absorb different amounts of radiation resulting in images where bones appear white due to high radiation absorption while other tissues appear grey because they absorb less amounts of radiation.

  • CT Scan: A test that utilizes a series of x-ray images taken from different angles to create more detailed images of the body. These images are able to show cross-sectional views of internal structures.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images of internal structures. MRIs are particularly useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.

Spinal CorD Injury Treatments

Unfortunately, when it comes to reversing damage to the spinal cord, there is no treatments for it. While we’re still trying to find treatment, as of 2021, researchers continue to search for ways to treat spinal cord injuries. The only spinal core treatments we have today focus on preventing further injury to the spine. Despite that, many people that have SCI are still able to live a full and productive life.

Another form of spinal cord injury treatment is rehab and physical therapy. These will focus on strengthening existing muscle function, learning skills that allow patients to accomplish daily tasks, and redeveloping motor skills. Patients are also educated on ways to prevent further injury and receive advice on how to move on from their accident to live a fulfilling life.

Financial Costs of Spinal Injuries

According to the Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention and Cure, the average lifetime cost for a patient who suffered paraplegia at age 25 is nearly $1 million. For patients with quadriplegia, the cost for lifetime treatment ranges between $1.5 million and $3 million. These figures do not take into account lost wages or other financial losses resulting from paralysis.

More than likely, you’re looking at injuries that costs upwards of a million dollars or more to treat.

Finding A Massachusetts Spinal Core Injury Attorney

At Faneuf Law Group, our attorneys understand the financial burden patients and their families incur as a result of a spinal cord injury. To ensure our clients obtain compensation proportional to the financial impact of their injuries, we work with a team of experts including medical professionals, life care planners and economic specialists who can help document and estimate the needs of our clients.

To obtain a free initial legal consultation and determine how we can help you, contact our Woburn personal injury lawyers today by calling 617-939-9894 or filling out our online contact form. We serve Woburn, Boston, Hartford, Worcester, Cambridge, and all of Massachusetts State. Remember, you pay no fees unless we win your case.

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