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Plaintiff's Injury Group
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Plaintiff's Injury Group > Spinal Cord Injury
More than 35 verdicts and settlements exceeding one million dollars.Quick-Links
back to top > Spinal Cord Injury FAQ > The Spinal Cord: Structure and Function 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. The spinal cord is vital to both physical feeling and physical movement. Anything from feeling a breeze, picking up a fork or getting out of bed doesn't’t happen without it. The 33 vertebrae of the human spine contain neuron pathways that control both motor function and sensory function. Motor neurons that allow you to move are located in the front (dorsal) section of the cord. Impulses travel from the brain and move through the dorsal neurons, and then travel to the various muscle groups that allow you to move. The rear section of the cord carries sensory neurons that allow feeling. The function of movement and the sense of touch and feel depend entirely on this complex pathway system. While bones can heal, these pathways cannot. The thirty three individual vertebrae are divided into four different categories, each with a function that is specific to different parts of the body. Cervical Vertebrae (numbered C1 through C8) occupy the first eight bones in the spinal cord. Nerves in the Cervical Vertebrae allow for movement and sensory perception of the head and neck, biceps, triceps and hands. Another crucial element of the cervical vertebrae is the movement of the diaphragm, which allows humans to breathe on their own.back to top > Spinal Damage and Consequences The majority of victims of spinal cord injuries are males, who account for 80% of the patients. The leading cause of spinal cord injuries is auto accidents, followed by falls and violence. Children are more likely to suffer injuries due to sports, while adults are more likely to suffer work-related injuries. back to top > Complete Injuries: Quadriplegia, Paraplegia The closer in proximity to the neck and brain that the neural pathways are, the more important they are to the proper function of the rest. For example, damage to a vertebrae that is numbered higher in the C Category (typically C-4 or higher) can result in a complete lack of function in all the neuron pathways that exist below. Quadriplegia, a condition that results is a complete lack of feeling and motion from the neck down. A typical C-4 quadriplegic cannot even breathe without the aid of a respirator. Less severe paralytic conditions occur when there is damage in either the T or L Category of vertebrae, resulting in paralysis from the chest or waist down. Some L Category paraplegics are able to retain some level of self-mobility through the use of wheelchairs. Incomplete Injuries An incomplete spinal injury victim has had some vertebral nerve clusters damaged, but not others. In the event of any spinal cord injury, swelling around the area of the injury might affect areas that weren't’t directly injured. Recovery of function in these areas can return at any time between three days to eighteen months. Movement of one limb but not another many be possible, or the victim might be able to still retain feeling in an extremity even though he or she cannot move it. While these injuries are not as severe as complete spinal injuries, they are still life-altering and can be emotionally devastating for the victim and the family involved. Some of the more common incomplete spinal cord injuries are: Anterior Cord Syndrome Damage that occurs to the anterior section of the spinal cord can result in loss of movement and sensory perception, although there have been cases where sensations that travel along pathways are still intact can still be felt. Only 10 to 15% of anterior cord syndrome victims demonstrate any functional improvement over time. Brown-Sequard Syndrome An injury to the right or left side of the spinal cord causes a loss of movement and sensation on the side of the injury. On the side opposite the injury, temperature and pain sensation are lost due to the crossing of these pathways in the spinal cord. Although spinal trauma or tumors are the most prevalent causes of Brown-Sequard Syndrome, other possible causes are meningitis, tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis. Central Cord Syndrome Damage to the cervical area of the spinal cord can adversely affect the function of the corticospinal tract. Victims experience weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs, combined with some loss of sensory perception. Some recovery is possible in central cord syndrome, depending on the age of the victim. Patients under the age of 50 have a 97% rate of becoming ambulatory, but past the age of 50 the recovery rate drops dramatically down to 17%. Individual Nerve Cell Injuries Spinal trauma can result in a damaged nerve cell or nerve cluster. This causes impaired movement or a loss of sensation in its corresponding muscle group. For instance, damage to a nerve cell in L Category vertebrae can cause paralysis or weakness in one or both legs. Symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Individual nerve cell injury is the most common cause of monoplegia, which is when only one limb is affected, or hemiplegia, which affects one side of the body and not the other. Spinal Contusions When the spinal cord is bruised but not fractured or severed, the effects can still be debilitating. Bruises to the spine can temporarily or permanently effect movement and sensation due to bleeding and inflammation of the damaged area. Tissue swelling in the event of spinal trauma can inhibit normal nerve pathway function. A temporary immobility of the spinal cord in the case of spinal contusions normally lasts for 1-2 days, but contusions can cause long-term or permanent impairment. back to top > The Financial Costs of Spinal Cord Injuries The initial hospitalization costs for para- or quadriplegic victims has an average cost of $144,000. The first year after the injury, the average medical cost for a C-4 quadriplegic is $572,178, including the subsequent rehabilitative work, which could last for up to a year, depending on the severity of the injury. Aside from the initial hospitalization, there are also thousands of dollars worth of peripheral care, such as construction or ramps or lifts, specialized transportation, twenty-four hour nursing care, wheelchairs, medical supplies and prescriptions, and any number of things that are needed to maintain an existence without mobility. The Emotional Costs of Spinal Cord Injuries The victim of a spinal cord injury has to learn how to adjust in a world that has suddenly become practically unmanageable. Something as simple as a flight of stairs or a steep curb can make getting from place to place impossible. Included in these adjustments is the acknowledgement of the probability of a shortened life. Although increases in antibiotic treatment and medical technology have improved this statistic over the years, the life expectancy of a victim of a spinal injury is well below normal. Friends and loved ones have to learn how to help manage the condition and provide emotional support, sacrificing their own time and in some cases their own money. Cantor Arkema, Fighting for Your Future A spinal injury is tragic enough, but the sense of pain and loss is compounded if the injury happened through no fault of the victim. If you or a loved one has suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury, the law firm of Cantor Arkema is here to help. We know that insurance companies have stalling tactics, especially when it comes to handling the costs of an expensive, life changing injury. Our attorneys have years of experience in dealing with insurers, and will make sure that every penny that this injury costs you will be accounted for. back to top > Spinal Cord Injury FAQ > |
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