A spinal cord injury alters a person’s life in far-reaching ways. They may lose functionality, the ability to walk, and much more. Their career may change, perhaps entirely, and such an accident may drastically reduce their quality of life. To top it off, they will likely face extensive financial bills and reductions in other areas financially as a result of the injury. If you or someone you love is facing this life following a spinal cord injury another’s negligence, recklessness, or willful act has cause, you deserve justice. Don’t hesitate to call Estey & Bomberger, LLP today for a free case evaluation!

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Health care professional classify these injuries into two categories: complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries. The former involves an injury that results in complete severing of the spinal cords. These injuries cause loss of limb movement and nerve sensation below the severing point.

The latter is further broken down into three categories:

• Anterior Cord Syndrome. This happens when the anterior portion of the spinal cord stops receiving blood. This results in loss of movement and sensation.
• Central Cord Syndrome. This occurs when the spinal cord’s gray matter takes damage, leading movement loss in the hands and arms. It is cervical spinal cord injury’s most occurring form.
• Brown-Séquard Syndrome. Trauma caused to either side of the spinal cord causes this injury. The side of the body matching the side of injury loses movement and sensation, while the opposite side loses sensitivity to temperature and pain.

What are the Primary Causes of Injuries to the Spine?

The Mayo clinic reports statistics on spinal cord injuries. They list the following as the primary causes of such injuries in the U.S.:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents. Due to the often violent impact to the body involved when cars collide with each other or stationary objects, the spinal column faces extreme risk. More than 35% of new injuries every year result from car accidents.
• Falls. After age 65, the most common cause of such injuries is falling. Falls cause over 25% of new injuries every year.
• Violent Acts. Violent acts, most often involving guns or knives, cause approximately 15 percent of new injuries every year.
• Sports Injuries. Impact sports and diving subject the body to potentially sudden and extreme impact. Almost ten percent of new spinal cord injuries stem from these acts every year.
• Alcohol. This cause can be comorbid with other causes. According to the Mayo clinic, alcohol plays a role in 25% of all new injuries to the spinal cord every year.
• Disease. Certain diseases or symptoms resulting from diseases or treatment can lead to damage to the spinal cord. Among this list are cancer, arthritis, inflammation of the cord, and osteoporosis.

Potential Damages

A person with injuries to the spinal cord faces a long list of costs that stem directly from the injury. These include medical expenses, both immediate and ongoing, therapy, equipment or gear, modifications to his or her home, a new car equipped for a paraplegic person, lost income, immediate and ongoing, pain and anguish from the injury, and even loss of partnering opportunities. Such costs could reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Can Help You Win Compensation

When an accident that leads to a spinal cord injury can be attributed to another person’s negligent, careless, or reckless actions, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their injury. In cases involving spinal cord or other back injuries, which may cause permanent disability, paralysis, and other injuries, the compensation the victim may be entitled to may be substantial.

Although money can never take away the physical and emotional pain of a catastrophic injury such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, money can cover the astronomical financial costs and allow victims to receive the best medical care so that they may live the most comfortable life possible.

Contact the experienced Riverside spinal cord injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP about your case today!  Call us at 951-543-9020