Spinal cord injuries are among the most traumatic injuries a person can sustain. The spinal cord is defined as the bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissues surrounding the spine that serves as the messenger between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged or injured, an individual can experience a range of consequences accompanied by pain, suffering, and a lifetime of recovery.
Spinal cord injuries include any damages affecting the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. These types of injures most often occur due to forced trauma in the form of a blow, cut, or form of compression to the neck or spine. Depending on where the damage occurs, spinal cord injuries can be classified as complete (loss of all motor function and sensation below the spinal cord) or incomplete (loss of some motor function and sensation below the injuries area).
Common accidents leading to spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Slips and Falls
- Violent Encounters
- Sports-related Injuries
- Construction Accidents
Injuries directly affecting the spinal cord can result in a variety of different symptoms and impairments. Paralysis is one of the most devastating outcomes and varies in severity depending on the injury. The two main types of paralysis include:
- Paraplegia: Loss of feeling and functioning in the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
- Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: Loss of feeling and functioning in the limbs (arms, trunk, legs, hands) and pelvic organs
There are several other subcategories of paralysis that can be diagnosed based on the extent of overall damage. Other common side effects of spinal cord injuries individuals may experience include:
- Chronic pain
- Altered or loss of sensation
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of control in bodily functions
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Oddly positioned back or neck
Slater Slater Schulman LLP is dedicated to the representation of individuals who have been injured as a result of a spinal cord accident. Our firm is handling litigation related to these claims nationwide.
If you or someone you love has sustained a spinal cord injury, please contact Slater Slater Schulman LLP for a free consultation by filling out the form on this page or by calling our office at (800) 251-6990.
