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Spinal Cord Injury > FAQ
Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
Q: What is a spinal cord injury?
A: A spinal cord injury is damage to the nerve cells which comprise the human spinal cord, which extends from the brain to the lower back. These injuries cause disruption in the communication between the brain and other parts of the body, the extent of which depends on the severity and location of the injury. The spinal cord is approximately 17 inches long and is protected by the backbone, which is made up of 33 individual vertebrae. Spinal cord injuries can occur at any level of the cord. They are often the result of motor vehicle collisions, falls, or other trauma or compression to the nerve cells of the cord.
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Q: How prevalent are spinal cord injuries?
A: There are approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries per year in the U.S. Over 200,000 persons in the U.S. currently have spinal cord injuries.
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Q: What are the effects of spinal cord injury?
A: Generally, the higher the injury is along the backbone, the more sensation and movement someone will lose or diminish. An injury at the neck level may cause paralysis in all extremities (quadriplegia), while an injury at the mid-back level may affect only the legs and lower parts of the body (paraplegia). A complete injury results in a total loss of sensation and movement below the level of injury. An incomplete injury results in only partial loss of sensation or movement. Often someone who has suffered a spinal cord injury loses control of his or her bowel and bladder. A host of other symptoms may include bedsores, bladder infections, and respiratory difficulties.
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Q: Why do I need an attorney experienced in spinal cord injuries?
A: Case development and trial of someone who has suffered a spinal cord injury presents the challenge of obtaining adequate compensation to cover the lifetime needs of the litigant. It is essential for the attorney to identify, project, and quantify the lifetime medical needs and expenses facing the spinal cord litigant and to fully and adequately prove the effects of the spinal cord injury on the litigant’s life. An attorney who knows how to approach this challenge and who has successfully handled spinal cord injury cases should be consulted in these cases.
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