Spinal Cord Injuries

An unfortunate reality of our world is that spinal cord injuries are commonplace occurrences. Even when exercising the utmost caution, accidents happen every day that result in devastating spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries are typically caused by either severe trauma, such as a car accident or falling from a great height, or from medical malpractice, such as improper body placement during a surgery. However, in certain circumstances, spinal cord injuries can occur in less dramatic situations, such as simply slipping on an icy sidewalk, or falling down the stairs in a poorly lit apartment building.

Injuries to the spinal cord are among the most serious, and scary, injuries a person can sustain. Any spinal cord injury carries a high risk of long-term complications, long-term disability, and the possibility of partial or total paralysis. As such, spinal cord injuries almost always result in lengthy and expensive recovery processes. Individuals with spinal cord injuries often need disk replacement surgery, neck fusion surgery, and long-term physical therapy. This treatment is costly, and the financial toll is exacerbated by loss of wages while one recovers, and the emotional stress such injuries inevitably cause.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center says that there were about 255,000 people with SCIs living in the United States in 2007. Approximately 12,000 new cases occur every year. A spinal injury can lead to loss of physical movement, loss of physical sensation, bowel management problems, urinary tract difficulties, bedsores, deep vein thrombosis, sexual dysfunction, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or other serious medical conditions.

There are four major causes of spinal cord injuries:

• Motor vehicle accidents-42.1%
• Falls-26.7%
• Violence/gunshot wounds-15.1%
• Sports-7.6%

Other common causes of spinal cord injury include:

• Construction Site Accidents
• Defective Products
• Hazardous Property
• Struck-by events
• Medical Errors

The effects of spinal cord injury are usually more serious and debilitating when the damage is to a higher point in the spinal column. This is because the spinal cord carries messages to other parts of the body, and when it is injured, it cannot effectively carry those messages below the level of the injury. Spinal cord injuries can be “complete” or “incomplete.” “Complete” means that there is no function below the level of injury, and “incomplete” means that there is some function below the level of injury.

When spinal cord injuries are the fault of another:

Spinal cord injuries are frequently the fault of another person. When this is the case, the injured person might have a personal injury claim. Compensation is important because spinal cord injuries require surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, the use of sophisticated medical devices, and more. The financial burdens are extreme even with health insurance.

Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

At Altman & Altman, we have been handling serious injury cases for over four decades. We understand that you must have many questions about your case, from “who will pay my medical bills?” to “how much is my case worth?” If you want immediate answers to your questions contact us at 617.492.3000. We have experienced injury attorneys available around the clock to answer your questions.

We know that the losses that can accompany an SCI such as loss of quality of life, the inability to work, the loss of certain physical abilities, and loss of independence—cannot be quantified. Our Boston, Massachusetts catastrophic injury lawyers can, however, help you obtain financial compensation from all negligent parties for your injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, rehabilitation and long-term care costs, and other damages.