New York Anterior Cord Syndrome

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord such as a bruise, lesion, or cut that either temporarily or permanently causes changes in its function. Depending on the severity of the damage, there can be a loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or loss of autonomic function in parts of the body. While paraplegia, quadriplegia, and tetraplegia are types of spinal cord injuries that are familiar to most people, there are many other types of spinal cord injuries including anterior cord syndrome. Anterior spinal cord syndrome occurs when blood flow is interrupted in the artery that runs along the front anterior portion of the spinal cord. One common reason for this type of interruption in blood flow is a traumatic injury to the vertebrae. Causes for such a trauma to the spinal cord include car, truck and other vehicle accidents. Victims of such injuries not only face health problems, but also face financial challenges due to substantial ongoing medical bills and loss of ability to work. If you sustained a spinal cord injury that lead to anterior cord syndrome due to the negligence of another person, contact an experienced New York anterior cord syndrome lawyer who will review your case and help you file a personal injury claim in order to receive damages that will compensate you for your medical expenses so that you will have the lifetime medical care that you will need.

One of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries including those that result in anterior cord syndrome is a vehicle accident. Other causes include any accident that results in the spinal cord being crushed such as a fall. Anterior cord syndrome can also be caused by an epidural hematoma, anterior spinal artery compression with secondary ischemia, and hyperflexion injury in athletes.

If the injury was caused by another person’s negligence, such as if your spinal cord was crushed in a car accident, or medical negligence caused your epidural hematoma, then discuss the details of your case with an experienced New York anterior cord syndrome lawyer.

The primary symptom of anterior spinal cord syndrome include:

• Paralysis below the level of the lesion
• Pain and temperature sense loss below the level of the injury
• Retained proprioception and vibratory sensation

An anterior cord syndrome injury carries a poor prognosis for functional improvement. According to the National Institutes of Health, typically there is an only 10-20% chance of muscle recovery. Spinal injuries can be not only physically challenging, but can also cause financial distress. Not only do you have to deal with the initial medical expense of surgery, you may also face an unending stream of expenses related to rehabilitative care as well as expenses associated with health issues related to a severe spinal cord injury. As an anterior cord syndrome attorney in New York will explain, if your spinal injury is the result of another person’s negligence, under New York law you have the right to file a claim against the negligent party and demand compensation for your losses. There are many factors that will determine the amount of compensation to which you are entitled and the type of compensation. These factors include:

• The type of injuries you suffered
• The cost of medical care including emergency room treatment, hospital fees, surgical fees, doctor’s bills, prescriptions, special medical equipment, and rehabilitation costs.
• Loss of wages and loss of future income caused by a long term or permanent disability.
• Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

If you are facing the challenges of anterior cord syndrome and you believe that was caused because another person was negligent, it is important that you are represented by an experienced anterior cord syndrome attorney serving New York. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has the knowledge, skill and resources to investigate your case and help you demand fair compensation for the injuries that you suffered due to the defendant’s negligence. 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.