Spinal Injury

   Whether a spinal injury is caused by a fall, a vehicle accident, or another incident, the effects on the victims' and their families' lives can be catastrophic, and the lifelong medical expenses related to spinal injuries can be quite high. If you or a family member experienced spinal cord damage as a result of an accident, you might be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive financial support for your losses and injuries. The causes of spinal cord injuries and the sorts of legal problems that can arise in your situation are discussed in this article.

A spinal cord injury is defined as damage to the spinal cord, the network of nerves located within the spinal column, or "backbone," that results in a complete or partial loss of motor control and sensation. From spinal cord injury (quadriplegic), paralysis in the lower body (paraplegia) or in all four limbs can result. Accident victims may have a wide range of chronic and significant health issues since the spinal cord controls many biological systems, including breathing, body temperature, bladder control, and sexual function.

Causes of Standard Spinal Cord Injury

A violent injury or blow to the spine is often what causes the spinal cord damage. The following are typical causes of spinal cord damage, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center:

The leading causes of spinal cord injuries include motor vehicle accidents (42.1%), falls (26.7%), violent actions including gunshot wounds (15.1%), and leisure sports (7.6%). 

Errors that occur during dangerous surgical procedures affecting the back and neck can potentially result in spinal cord damage.  In a few of these situations, a spinal cord damage could have been preventable, and the mistake might qualify as medical malpractice. (Read more about medical malpractice basics in the Nolo article.Poor quality goods can cause spinal cord damage.

You might be eligible for compensation from the businesses that created, produced, and sold the product if it was discovered that your spinal injury was brought on by a dangerous or defective product (faulty seat belts or airbags, for example, that made injuries received in a car accident significantly worse).

Consult Nolo's for further information on incidents involving faulty products.)

Obtaining Assistance in Spinal Cord Injury Cases 

You might want to consult with a lawyer who focuses on spinal cord injury litigation if you're considering filing a lawsuit, because spinal cord injury cases can entail more complicated legal and medical concerns than those in a normal injury case.

Read Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer on Nolo for advice on selecting a trustworthy personal injury attorney. Visit Nolo's Lawyer Directory to get a list of personal injury lawyers in your region. To learn more about the lawyers' experience, if any, with spinal cord injuries, click on the "Types of Cases" and "Work History" tabs.