Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be caused in many different ways. They frequently occur as the result of auto accidents but can also result from slip and falls or other incidents that cause a sudden, traumatic impact to the spine. These types of injuries can have a life-altering impact on families and individuals.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries usually begin with some type of blow that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. Vertebrae are the bones that protect your spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can sometimes be catastrophic. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, problems with breathing, incontinence, bedsores and serious illnesses like pneumonia. The extent and the severity of a spinal cord injury mostly depend on where in the spine the injury occurs and whether the injury is considered “complete” or “incomplete.” When a spinal cord injury is described by a medical professional as “complete,” it usually means the patient has no motor or sensory function at or below the site of the injury. An “incomplete” spinal cord injury is typically one where there is some type of sensory deficit below the injury site, but physical movement is still possible.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
Because most spinal cord injuries may have life-altering and permanent consequences, compensation from any claim involving these types of injuries should address not only an individual’s current pain and suffering but also the significant medical expenses and expected future medical costs that will likely accrue. Costs that may be associated with a spinal cord injury could add up to over a million dollars in the first year alone. Costs may include some type of home health care, motorized wheelchairs, modifications to the victim’s automobile, and renovations to the victim’s home.
If an injury may have been caused by someone’s negligence, it is important to have an attorney knowledgeable and experienced in spinal cord injuries. Any compensation received from a spinal cord injury case must be sufficient to pay for the ongoing costs of rehabilitation and health care that may last for the rest of the victim’s life; it is crucial that victims have experienced attorneys who will aggressively fight for this compensation.
Contact an Experienced Florida Accident Attorney
If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury due to someone’s negligence, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney to evaluate your case. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk or call us 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.