SERIOUS INJURIES
Spinal Cord Injury
Car accidents, motorcycle collisions, slip and falls, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents result in a wide range on injuries. One of the most common injuries is a spinal cord injury. In fact, over one-third of annual spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents. Additionally, falls cause approximately thirty percent of these injuries. Tragically, this injury results in a loss of function, strength, sensation, and stability. It is also not only very painful, but can also cause permanent disability. As such, spinal cord injuries significantly change the quality of your life, and also result in substantial medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The experienced attorneys at Slatter Law Firm will aggressively fight to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves that are protected by bones called vertebrae. The spinal cord communicates messages from the brain to other body parts; and from the body to the brain. These messages essentially allow us to feel pain and move our arms and legs. The spinal cord is divided into the following distinct parts:
The cervical spine is the portion of the spine starting at the neck and connecting to the upper back. It consists of seven vertebrae named C1 through C7. The cervical spine supports head movement, provides neck stability, and helps blood flow to the brain. The cervical spine is typically injured when forcefully jolted backward and forward, such as in rear-end car accidents and traumatic falls. Injuries to the cervical spine may result in quadriplegia, which is paralysis in the arms and legs.
The thoracic spine starts at the shoulders and runs to until the beginning of the lower back. It consists of twelve vertebrae named T1 through T12. The thoracic spine supports the back and protects the heart and lungs. Thoracic injuries are less common than injuries to the cervical spine or lumbar spine. Common thoracic injuries caused by accidents or falls are disc herniation and thoracic fractures. Severe thoracic spine injuries can cause paralysis in the legs and bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction.
The lumbar spine is located between the ribs and pelvis, and consists of five vertebrae named L1 through L5. It supports the upper body, allows movement of your trunk, and controls movement and feeling in your legs. As you grow older, the vertebrae in the lumbar spine degenerates, increasing the risk of injury from trauma. In fact, the elderly commonly suffer these spinal cord injuries from a fall. The most common lumbar spine injury is a disc herniation.
The sacral spine is at the bottom of the spine, and is located between the hips and ends at the tailbone. It consists of five bones named S1 to S5. The sacral spine supports and stabilizes the pelvis and trunk. Sacral spine injuries typically cause bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction.
Accidents and falls can result in two different types of spinal cord injuries: incomplete and complete injuries. An incomplete injury occurs when the spinal cord is partially severed. This injury results in partial loss of functioning below the injury location. A complete injury occurs when the spinal cord is fully severed. This injury results in total loss of ability to feel and voluntarily move below the injury location. As such, complete injuries include paraplegia and quadriplegia. General symptoms for spinal cord injuries include loss of movement, loss of bowel or bladder control, intense pain or stinging sensation, loss or changed sensation, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Spinal cord injuries can vary greatly, both in nature and severity. However, all of these injuries dramatically change the quality of your life. If your injuries were caused by a person or business’ negligence, you are entitled to recover compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, loss of earning potential, disability, and pain and suffering. This is another reason it is important to hire an experienced spinal cord injury attorney.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a dangerous road condition. Slatter Law Firm has been helping individuals injured due to car accidents and slip and falls throughout Los Angeles and Southern California for over four decades. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (310) 405-0964 or contact us online.
Disclaimer
Slatter Law Firm are lawyers, not physicians. All content is based on our experience and not on medical education. If you are experiencing any physical injury consult with a doctor.