Spinal cord injuries, also known as SCIs, are one of the most life-changing types of injuries a person can experience. Not only do they affect the person directly after the accident, but they can also change the quality of life for accident victims and their families long-term. A spinal cord injury is the leading cause of paralysis in the United States, recently overtaking strokes as the most common cause and above multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center (NSCISC) provides that there are approximately 17,730 new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States with motor vehicle accidents being the most common cause. Our Queens personal injury lawyers know how common this type of catastrophic injury can be because we handle spinal cord injuries caused by any type of accident.
Here at Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C., we have devoted our practice to helping those who have been catastrophically injured due to the negligence of another person, business, or government agency. We know how frustrating it can be when the reckless or careless acts of another person result in serious personal injuries to an innocent victim. Our Queens spinal cord injury attorneys handle spinal cord injuries caused by someone else’s negligence and fight hard to collect compensation for victims. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury such as a spinal cord injury ask how we can begin to protect your rights today in a FREE consultation with our injury law firm.
WHAT IS A SPINAL CORD INJURY?
Your spinal cord is part of the central nervous system. It is well-protected in thick bone known as vertebrae, insulating and cushioning connective tissue, and thick muscle. A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged or severed by trauma. A spinal cord injury is defined by a part of the spinal cord, vertebrae, ligaments, discs or nerves in the spinal column becoming damaged or severed. Spinal cord injuries often result in loss of function including mobility, sensation, strength, and/or feeling in the body below the site of the injury. When the spinal cord is damaged, it affects the way the messages from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body. Though the spinal nerve below the injury may still receive signals, they are not able to send those signals up the spinal tract to the brain. This means that a person who has lost mobility may show signs of reflective movement, these movements are not controlled.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES?
According to the New York Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, over 1,000 people in New York fall victim to traumatic spinal cord injuries each year. A traumatic spinal cord injury is caused by a sudden blow to the spine causing dislocation, compression, crushing, or a fracture to one or more vertebrae. There are many types of accidents that can lead to a spinal cord injury including:
- car accidents
- motorcycle accidents
- bicycle accidents
- truck accidents
- construction accidents
- slip and fall accidents
- falls from heights
- Pedestrian accidents
- gunshot or knife wound
It’s possible for a person to “break their back or neck” without sustaining a spinal cord injury. In these cases, only the bone surrounding the vertebrae of the spinal cord are broken and the cord itself is not affected. Also, someone who has experienced a non-traumatic spinal cord injury or a back injury may retain their ability voluntary movement but be affected by other conditions like arthritis, numbness, muscle weakness, balance issues, and more.
SPINAL CORD INJURY SYMPTOMS
In some cases, the person will not even feel pain below where the spinal cord was injured. However, if there is nerve damage, they may experience numbness or tingling sensations. They may also experience muscle spasms, cramps, and stiffness. In addition, they may lose bladder control and bowel control. Some people who suffer from a spinal cord injury will also experience headaches, dizziness, depression, memory loss, and sleep disorders.
How does a spinal cord injury affect someone’s life? After a spinal cord injury, people often face challenges with their mobility and may need help getting around. They may need assistance bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and using the bathroom. They may need help walking, standing up, sitting down, and sleeping. Some of the major effects of a spinal cord injury include respiratory difficulties, loss of bowel and bladder control, loss of sexual function, and more.
HOW MANY TYPES OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES ARE THERE?
There are different levels of spinal cord injuries that are generally broken out into two types of spinal cord injuries, each type dictates the level of disability.
The first type is an incomplete spinal cord injury which is when the spinal cord takes some damage and is partially separated, but it is not totally severed. This means that the spinal cord may still be able to send and receive messages up and down it from the brain to the rest of the body below the injury. Some victims with this type of disability may have some continued sensation and ability to move, albeit the functions will be reduced.
The second type is a complete spinal cord injury which is when the spinal cord takes severe enough damage that it results in a complete and total severance of the spinal cord. This means that there are no messages being sent between the brain and the rest of the body below the point of injury (severance). It is exceedingly rare for a victim to regain any function below this type of spinal cord injury, as such recovery is usually based on experimental procedures or exceptional circumstances. Generally speaking, a complete severance of the spinal cord is permanently altering the functioning of a person’s body.
WHAT IS THE MOST SERIOUS TYPE OF SPINAL CORD INJURY?
The most severe type of spinal injury is complete spinal cord injuries also known as cervical spinal cord injuries. These injuries affect above the should in the head, and neck region. Other specific types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries (neck)
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries (chest)
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries (back)
- Sacral spinal cord injuries (pelvis)
CAN A SPINAL CORD INJURY BE TREATED?
Treatment for a spinal cord injury depends on the severity of the injury, how much damage has been done to the spine, and where that damage occurred on the spine. Intervention including surgery and drugs can help restore mobility in some cases. Many times, patients need to go through extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain any function in the affected area. More often, assistive devices such as universal cuffs, teachers, wheelchairs, and even mind-controlled exoskeletons help those suffering spinal cord injuries return to normal daily tasks and activities.
In the photo, notice damage to the spinal cord in the neck region which could cause partial or complete paralysis (second photo). Also, notice the anterior cervical fusion repair in the third photo to help stabilize the two vertebrae to prevent further damage to the spinal cord.
HOW MUCH IS A SPINAL CORD INJURY SETTLEMENT?
Spinal cord injuries are one of the highest-grossing personal injury claims. Compensation for spinal cord injuries varies depending on the severity of the injury and the situation surrounding the accident. In general, compensation for these injuries will cover medical expenses related to your treatment. You may receive money for lost wages due to your inability to work. You may also get money for pain and suffering. An experience Queen spinal cord injury lawyer can help file a lawsuit against the party responsible for causing your injury.
WHY YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED SPINAL CORD LAWYER NEAR YOU FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT
As one of the best spinal cord injury lawyers in Queens NY, we pursue full and fair compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning potential, and pain and suffering for all of the spinal cord injury claims we work on.
If you sustained your spinal cord injury while on the job, such as at a construction site, workers’ compensation benefits do serve a purpose for some injured workers. However, worker’s compensation simply does not account for the long-term and lifetime needs of injured workers confined to wheelchairs. that is why we aggressively fight for our clients to make sure they get full compensation for their injuries that sometimes can last a lifetime.
CONTACT OUR NEARBY SPINAL CORD INJURY LAWYERS IN QUEENS NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Looking for the best Queens spinal cord injury accident lawyer? If you’ve been injured in an accident while on the job, call the spinal cord accident attorneys at Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. now for a FREE consultation at (718) 971-2107. When reckless, careless, or negligent conduct causes serious personal injuries to a victim in the form of a spinal cord injury, victims and their families need an experienced Queens spinal injury lawyer to protect their rights to compensation. Find out how we can fight for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses in a FREE consultation with Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. by calling (718) 971-2107, or use our convenient and easy-to-use contact us box available here.