Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, with approximately 80% of all Americans experiencing back pain at some point during their lives.Often, this pain is associated with typical sprains and strains that accompany overexertion or poor ergonomics, and acute pain may subside in onlya few days. In some cases, however, a serious back injury is to blame for chronic pain and limited mobility and function. Common back injuries includeherniated disks, fractured or crushed vertebrae, and whiplash caused by trauma from automobile accidents, sports injuries, or falls. The most seriousback injuries are spinal cord injuries. Unlike other parts of the body, the spinal cord is unable to repair or heal itself when injured. Whenthe spinal cord is severed or compressed, the result is partial or complete paralysis below the level of the injury.
Victims of spinal cord injury face the upheaval of life as they have previously known it; they are subject to physical and emotional suffering as theyadjust to life with a permanent disability. In many cases, a spinal cord injury is a preventable injury caused by an accident that could have beenavoided if others acted responsibly. For example, approximately half of all spinal cord injuries are the result of motor vehicle accidents. The personor persons responsible for causing such an accident may be held liable for resulting injuries. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate an auto accidentor premises liability claim to determine who may be held accountable for a victim�s suffering. Once liable parties are determined, an attorney canprovide effective legal representation to help get financial compensation for those who have sustained an injury as a result of another�s negligence.
Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic injuries a person can endure. Because the spinal cord is a system of nerves controlling movement,sensation, and bodily function, a spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in permanent neurological impairment and complete or partial paralysis. Accordingto the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), an estimated 12,000 to 20,000 new cases of SCI occur each year, not including victimswho die at the scene of a fatal accident. An estimated 270,000 people are living with a spinal cord injury in the United States today. Though anyonecan suffer an SCI, approximately 80% of spinal cord injuries reported to the national database occur among males.
Spinal cord injury may occur as a result of illness or infection, but it is most commonly caused by trauma to the spine. According to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC), the most frequent causes of SCI include:
Spinal cord injuries may include compression injuries or severed spinal cords, resulting in complete or incomplete paralysis below the level of the injury.Victims of spinal cord injury face significant medical challenges:
Care, treatment, and rehabilitation of a spinal cord injury are accompanied by high medical costs. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine reports the averagemedical cost of an SCI ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 annually. The NSCISC estimates the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury to be between $500,000and $3 million, depending on the severity of the injury.
Because most spinal cord injuries result from preventable accidents or acts of violence, those whose negligence, recklessness, or malice causes such acatastrophic injury should be held accountable for the physical, emotional, and financial damage their actions create. Spinal cord injury victims maybe able to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and income, assistive therapies and technologies, pain and suffering, and more. Weprovide free consultations to accident victims and their families to explore their options for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
