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A spinal cord injury is defined as any damage to the spinal cord, whether from trauma, disease, or a degenerative disorder. After a spinal cord injury, nerves above the level of injury keep functioning as they did before, but messages from the brain to the level of injury and below may become fully or partially blocked. The higher the level at which the spinal cord damage occurs, the greater the degree of impairment. If you suffered a spinal cord injury from an accident, Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Lawrence spinal cord injury lawyers can advise you on your rights and help you recover the compensation you are owed.

Spinal Cord Injury Causes

According to a study by the United Spinal Association, approximately 17,700 Americans report a new spinal cord injury every year. Of those, roughly 78% are men. The average age of those reporting a new spinal injury is 43 years old. Most spinal cord injuries happen as a result of a vehicle accident (39.3%). Spinal cord injuries also result from falls (31.8%), violence (13.2%), sports (8%), and medical/surgical procedures (4.3%).

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Nearly half of spinal cord injuries reported each year are caused by car collisions, trucking accidents, or motorcycle accidents.
• Falls: Slips and falls are the reason for many spinal cord injuries in people over the age of 65. Common examples are slipping in the bathtub or shower, tripping down a flight of stairs, or falling while reaching for an object in a high place. Exposure to unsafe conditions, such as wet floors or tripping hazards, can contribute to an unintentional fall and cause the property owner to be held liable for the injury.
• Violent Acts: A beating or assault, shooting, or stabbing can cause severe trauma to the spine. In some cases, the gunshot or stab wound can cut the spinal cord.
• Sports and Recreational Activities: Football, rugby, wrestling, and other high-impact sports can cause spinal cord injuries. Other sports that can lead to spinal cord injuries include gymnastics, cheerleading, and diving.

When someone else is at fault for your spinal cord injury, they are liable for the damages. JHC’s Lawrence spinal cord injury lawyers want to hear your account of how the injury was sustained and help you pursue all available compensation from the liable party’s insurance company.

Impacts of Spinal Cord Injuries

Financial compensation may be necessary to address the effects a spinal cord injury will have on almost all aspects of your life. Everyday routines can be forever changed. Hobbies and recreational activities may be impossible to participate in. Changes may be required to accommodate limitations as a result of your injury.

Secondary Health Complications of Spinal Cord injuries

There are several potential side effects or secondary health complications associated with spinal cord injuries. Some more common ones include:

• Depression affects up to 37% of people with a spinal cord injury. That is why it is so important for victims of an injury to the spinal cord to make sure they are getting treatment for both the physical and emotional damages received as a result of their injury.
• Chronic pain is another negative impact to the quality of life of many people suffering from a spinal cord injury. Related to nerve damage or musculoskeletal problems, it is commonly treated by medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin and meditation techniques.
• Pressure injuries are a common risk for spinal cord injury victims. Pressure sores happen when underlying tissue becomes damaged due to the loss of blood flow to the area. Regular skin checks and shifting weight regularly can help to prevent pressure injuries.
• Spasticity, the uncontrolled tightening or contractions of the muscles, affects about 65%–78% of the population with a spinal cord injury. Many sufferers find relief in medications such as baclofen and stretching exercises.
• Bowel and bladder function is also negatively impacted by a spinal cord injury, including the ability to empty the bowels and bladder voluntarily. Other complications include constipation and impaction, incontinence, nausea, and bloating. Since the voluntary control over emptying the bladder can be affected, the bladder may become overactive or retain urine, which in turn can lead to urinary tract infections
• Depending on the level of injury, respiratory issues may also occur. Loss or weakness of diaphragm function is common for those with high cervical injuries and may require a tracheostomy or ventilator. Individuals with spinal cord injuries in the lumbar region may also have some impairment of respiratory function since abdominal and intercostal muscles are involved with respiratory function. There may be impairment of respiratory function for individuals with cervical or thoracic injuries because of some degree of abdominal muscle and intercostal muscle paralysis. No matter the level of injury, regular exercise is a vital aspect of preserving or increasing lung function.

JHC’s Lawrence spinal cord injury lawyers will ensure that your claim addresses both the primary and secondary impacts of your spinal cord injury.

Decreased Life Expectancy Due to Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can also have lasting impacts on your life expectancy. Recent studies have shown that the life expectancy of a person with a spinal cord injury can drop because of their injury. The amount of decrease in life expectancy is related to the severity of the spinal cord injury. For instance, a spinal cord injury victim who requires a ventilator is more likely to have a lower life expectancy than someone who suffered a whiplash or relatively minor spinal cord injury. Other factors that may contribute to a lower life-expectancy of individuals with a spinal cord injury include difficulty breathing, impaired digestion, depression, and loss of motor and sensory control. However, with the correct help and treatments, spinal cord injury victims can live well beyond the average. Because obtaining and maintaining such treatments can be very costly, it is important to carefully address your case with a knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer.

Contact JHC for Your Free Consultation

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of the negligence or deliberate acts of another, do not hesitate to pursue legal action. It may be the only way to collect the financial compensation you need to address your immediate and ongoing care.

An initial consultation with JHC’s Lawrence, Kansas, personal injury lawyers is free. Call our Lawrence office at (785) 856-0143.