New York Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality

A spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) is an injury that is typically located in the cervical region characterized by the absence of identifiable bony or ligamentous injury. In other words, there is no fracture or dislocation to the spinal cord. As with most types of spinal injuries, injuries without radiographic abnormality are typically caused by trauma to the spinal cord that resulted from an accident such as a car accident or fall. If you or a loved one are suffering from a SCIWORA injury, it is critical that you contact an experienced New York injury without radiographic abnormality lawyer as soon as possible as you may have a right to be compensated for your injuries including recompense for medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.

Spinal cord injuries without radiographic abnormality are most often seen in children who are under the age of 16, with the most severe cases affecting children under the age of 8. However, there are cases of SCIWORA in adults. Many such injuries result from a crushing accident such as when a car ran over the victim while the victim was lying prone. Another common cause of such spinal cord injuries includes being struck on the back.

In cases of SCIWORA, the victim does not always suffer immediate paralysis or signs of a spinal cord injury. Common symptoms of a spinal injury without radiographic abnormality include:

• Paresthesia. A burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Lhermitte's phenomenon. A sudden sensation that runs down from the neck to the spine.
• Neurologic deficits
• Paralysis

In addition, many victims suffer a second SCIWORA up to several weeks after the initial SCIWORA, presumably because the spine was rendered unstable by the initial injury and thus, susceptible to a second spinal injury.

Under New York law, the financial burden associated with an injury is placed on the person who caused it. Thus, as a New York injury without radiographic abnormality lawyer can explain in detail, if your injury was caused by the negligence of another person, you have the right to demand that the negligent person pay you damages that would cover both your past and future medical bills related to your spinal injury. This is important as spinal cord injuries often leave the victim with permanent impairments, necessitating treatment and rehabilitation throughout the victim’s life. Furthermore, if you had to miss work because of your injury, you can also demand payment for lost wages and compensation. As a result of the accident you may have suffered other losses, both economic and non-economic. In your claim you are allowed to demand compensation for all losses that are related to the accident. If you injury left you so debilitated that you are no longer able to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

If your child was the victim, you can file a personal injury on his or her behalf. Discuss with a injury without radiographic abnormality lawyer in New York details as to how to file a claim on behalf of an injured family member.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in a SCIWORA injury, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with spinal injuries. The experienced injury without radiographic abnormality attorneys serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have decades of experience winning substantial compensation for seriously injured victims. 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.