The legal team at McDonald At Law is committed to injury victims and their loved ones in and around the greater Lancaster area. Our lawyers offer diligent legal representation, which is important when pursuing lawsuits for catastrophic injuries that affect the spine.
Let’s take this opportunity to consider some of the common causes of spinal cord injuries, and why they need to be taken seriously if they were the result of another person’s negligence.
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are one of the most common causes of back injuries. Severe collisions can cause a wide variety of trauma to the body, and injuries to the neck and spine can be quite severe. Whiplash, which affects the neck, can lead to pain and issue with neck mobility due to muscle, never, and vertebrae damage. Herniated discs are also a possibility, and may occur throughout the back (particularly the lumbar region/lower back) if you sustain a heavy blow during a collision.
Major Slips and Falls
Another source of back injuries is serious slips and falls. These may occur at local businesses or even private residences. The nature of the fall or slip is important to note, and while bumps and bruises are most common in these kinds of accidents, serious back injuries may occur too.
Injuries at Your Workplace
If your work involves a lot of physical labor, heavy lifting, and/or repetitive motions, these can contribute to serious back injuries. Sudden blows to the back can cause a herniated disc or other serious injuries. Long-term stress on the back can eventually cause a herniated disc or problems with your range of motion.
Accidents at Construction Sites
Construction accidents can be very serious, both for construction workers and for passersby. Large objects may fall, or heavy equipment may somehow malfunction, resulting in major trauma. Back injuries can occur during construction accidents, and in such cases, not even proper protective gear or safety rigging will be helpful.
Sports Injuries
If you play contact sports or engage in combat sports, there is the potential danger of a major spinal cord injury occurring. This applies to professional athletes and student athletes as well as weekend warriors and hobbyists. Be sure to wear proper protective gear and to be reasonable when it comes to your physical abilities and limitations. This level of caution can prevent a number of serious health problems, spinal cord injuries among them.
Physical Assaults and Altercations
Victims of an attack or an assault may suffer a serious back injury depending on the nature of the altercation. Any time someone sustains a blow or trauma to the back or neck, there is the potential for a major spinal cord injury.
How severe can spinal cord injuries get?
Even relatively minor spinal cord injuries such as pinched nerves and herniated discs can cause serious pain and impact your ability to get around or perform the tasks that you take for granted. You may find it difficult to walk, to sit straight, to lift objects, or to move your body in certain ways. These issues tend to clear up with proper rest ad advised by your doctor.
When it comes to serious spinal cord injuries such as paraplegia and quadriplegia, your entire life may be changed forever. These severe spinal cord injuries result in paralysis of your limbs, requiring medical assistance and monitoring for the rest of your life.
Damages for spinal cord injury from Pennsylvania vehicle crashes
We do not think much about what the injury risks might be from accidents when we get behind the wheel or ride as a passenger in a car. In case of a collision, one known risk to victims is spinal cord injury.
Since 2015, motor vehicle crashes have been the leading cause of spinal cord injury, sometimes called SCI, causing almost 40% of all of them, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, associated with the University of Alabama. SCI reduces life expectancy and an infection like septicemia or pneumonia may eventually be fatal.
Nature of SCI
A spinal cord injury occurs in the case of an auto accident from traumatic impact that either injures or severs the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the “major bundle of nerves that carries nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest of the body,” explains the Shepherd Center of Atlanta, Georgia. Nerves leave the spinal cord, running between the vertebrae to various body areas.
SCI causes loss of motion (including function and mobility) or of sensation or both. The extent of impairment depends on the location and severity of the injury, with injury higher in the spinal cord likely causing more severe impairment. For example, cervical SCI (occurring in the area of the top eight vertebra) can cause paralysis of all four limbs, called quadriplegia.
Full compensation
In a car accident claim for an SCI against an insurer, negligent driver or other potentially responsible party, it is crucially important not to agree to a settlement without professional advice. An experienced lawyer can launch a full investigation of the circumstances and fully develop the medical record to understand the short- and long-term financial needs stemming from the SCI. Doing so may require assessments by medical, vocational and other experts.
Remember, an SCI can cause catastrophic, permanent injuries that may require ongoing medical care. An attorney will fight for the full extent of necessary damages to compensate for all related financial losses, including those for:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Physical and occupational therapies, past and future
- Lost wages and job benefits, past and future
- Diminished earning capacity
- Modifications to home and vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Medical equipment and supplies, including potentially wheelchairs and lifts
- Housekeeping services
- Long-term care
- Personal attendant services
- Rehabilitation
- Mental health treatment
- And others
In a case when the at-fault driver or other party acted outrageously or maliciously in causing the SCI, punitive damages may also be available. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer for particularly extreme behavior and deter others from doing the same.
Recognize the signs of spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are especially dangerous, because they may not reveal their severity until later. For example, if you were in a car accident, you may think you just suffered a minor case of whiplash. Fast forward three weeks later, and you cannot get out of bed.
What you think may be a minor back or neck injury could actually mean serious damage to your spinal cord. You could be at risk for a herniated disc, a fractured vertebrae or even paralysis. After your accident, be on the lookout for symptoms such as:
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Radiologist with x-ray results explaining his patient problem with spinal cord - Weakness, dizziness, loss of coordination or lack of or limited movement
- Limited sensation, such as the inability to detect cold and heat
- Numbness or stinging sensation in your fingers or toes
- Muscle spasms or noticeable effects on your reflexes
- Chest pain, coughing or difficulty breathing
A serious spinal cord injury could mean inability to work, multiple surgeries, physical therapy, installing adaptive equipment in your home and hiring a nurse. All of this means the medical bills will be piling up.
That is why, whether you were hurt in a car accident, you slipped on someone else’s property or you were hurt on the job, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early detection can also lessen the risk of complications and extra treatment.
If you are considering taking action through a personal injury lawsuit, it is extra important that you see a doctor and follow the recommended treatment. Detecting a spinal cord injury early will make it easier for your doctor and attorney to link it to your accident. Your lawyer will want to prove that your injuries are having a negative effect on your life, such as keeping you out of work. Having the right evidence will make your claim for compensation much stronger.
Speak with Our Attorneys About Your Spinal Cord Injury
For more information about your legal options following a serious spinal cord injury, be sure to contact our team of personal injury lawyers today. The attorneys of McDonald At Law will work with you and help you navigate the legal process.
 
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