The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that are protected by your spinal column. These nerves are what helps the brain transmit information to different areas of your body. These nerves manage every function in your body, and when the spinal cord is damaged, the results are often catastrophic.
Spinal cord injuries can occur in any type of accident but are most common in vehicular accidents and accidents where a person has been crushed by falling debris. Regardless of the type of accident, spinal cord injuries will dramatically change the life of the victim.
These catastrophic injuries should be managed by a spinal cord injury attorney familiar with this type of injury and the impact that it will have on the life of the victim and their family.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When the spinal cord has been injured, there is a possibility that the injury is severe enough to block the nerves from passing or receiving signals from certain areas of the body. When this occurs, a person will become paralyzed past the point of the injury.
In addition to losing the use of their limbs, paralysis may also cause the victim to have difficulty breathing and require a ventilator, loss of bladder control, and may experience other hardships with their body.
Some spinal cord injuries are less severe. These injuries usually involve damaged nerves, but not all of them. This may cause limited limbs, loss of control of some bodily functions, and potential difficulty with breathing or swallowing. Many people also lose sexual functions from nerve damage.
Regardless of the severity, all of these injuries will require extensive medical care to treat. As the victim of a personal injury, it will be in your best interest to seek assistance from a spinal cord injury law firm to protect your rights when seeking compensation.
Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
If it is believed there has been an injury to the neck or spine at the accident scene, the first responders will take extra precautions when moving the accident victim. In many cases, a neck brace is placed on the victim at the scene to stabilize the spinal column, and special care is taken when moving the victim.
Extra precautions remain in place at the emergency room until the victim can be evaluated completely and the next steps in care can be determined.
If a spinal column injury is determined, the doctors will act accordingly to the type of injury received. They may administer strong steroids to reduce swelling, place your head and neck into a halo to prevent movement, or strap you to a board to prevent any bodily movements. In many cases, it is necessary to do emergency surgery to treat broken or shattered discs and remove any bone shards so they do not further damage the spinal cord.
Once recovery begins, depending on the severity of the injury, the patient will have to undergo extensive physical and occupational therapy. Even if there is some paralysis involved, the patient will need extended treatments to aid in their recovery.
Medical bills and after-care associated with a spinal cord injury can quickly escalate. It will be necessary to have quality legal representation from a spinal cord injury lawyer to ensure that the responsible party covers all the necessary medical care for your injury.
How Can A Spinal Injury Lawyer Help?
When you have a spinal injury attorney managing your case, you can expect the following:
- Your back injury lawyer will manage all of your interactions with the insurance company so that you can focus your attention on your recovery.
- Your lawyer will gather evidence, speak with your medical doctors, and talk to experts to build a solid case on your behalf.
- The attorney will prepare a Demand Letter for compensation based on your actual losses. They will continue to negotiate until a fair settlement is reached.
- Your lawyer will take your case to court if necessary to ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company.
What Compensation Am I Entitled To For My Back Injury?
Every case is different, and compensation is based on the facts of your case. Your spinal cord lawyers will explain the types of compensation you are entitled to based on the facts of your case. Some of the forms of compensation you may be entitled to include:
- Medical care for current and future care
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Pain and Suffering
- Costs for necessary medical equipment such as a wheelchair
- Costs for modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate your injury
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury to your spine, protect your rights and speak with a spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident occurred. Contact the attorneys at Landau Law for a free consultation today!