Each year thousands of people in the United States suffer injuries to the spinal cord. These injuries can be life-changing, causing physical, emotional and financial devastation. A spinal cord injury involves damage to the nerves in the spinal column from a traumatic event such as a blow or piercing. While most injuries the spinal cord are compression or bruising injuries, other types include lacerations. While mild forms of injuries to the spinal cord may lead to mobility problems, the most serious spinal cord injuries result in complete paralysis. If you sustained a spinal cord injury you believe was caused by another person's negligence, contact a Westchester County spinal cord injury attorney who will review your case and help you receive damages that will compensate you for your medical expenses and other losses you suffered as a result of the injury.
Common causes of spinal cord injuriesFor those who are 64 and younger, the most common cause of injuries to the spinal cord is car, SUV, truck or motorcycle accident. For older individuals the most common cause is falling. Other causes for spinal cord injuries include sports- such as diving, electric shock, construction accidents, and gunshot wounds.
Types of spinal cord injuriesThere are two general types of spinal cord injuries, partial and complete. A complete spinal cord injury results in the complete loss of function below the level of the injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury leaves some sensation and feeling below the point of injury. The level and degree of function in incomplete injuries is dependent upon the way in which the spinal cord has been damaged.
Complete spinal cord injuries result in complete paraplegia or complete paraplegia (tetraplegia). Complete paraplegia is permanent loss of motor and nerve function at T1 level or below, resulting in loss of sensation and movement in the legs, bowel, bladder, and sexual region. Arms and hands retain normal function. Complete paraplegia results in the loss of hand and arm movement as well. Some paraplegics require ventilator systems in order to breathe. Depending upon the location of the injury, some paraplegics may have some arm and hand movement present.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are more common than complete injuries. They involve some degree of sensation and movement below the point of injury. Incomplete spinal injuries fall under five different classifications:
Spinal cord injuries can not only cause physical activity to be challenging, but can also cause financial difficulties. Depending on the severity of the spinal cord injury, the first year of expenses can be several hundred thousand dollars. If the injury leaves you with paraplegia or quadriplegia, you can face a lifetime of expenses well over $1 million.
There is an option for receiving compensation to cover the losses you suffered. Through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand payment for you losses such as your medical bills, your lost wages, your pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. Sadly, many people who suffer spinal cord injuries ultimately do not survive because of complications that are related to spinal cord injuries. If this happens, the family of the decedent may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with injuries to the spine. The attorney at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.