Spinal Cord Injury

When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After a Spinal Cord Injury?

Not every spinal cord injury will qualify for a personal injury claim. However, if you were hurt in an accident caused by another party’s carelessness or recklessness, you might be able to file a personal injury claim to recover financial compensation for your losses. If you’re not sure whether you should pursue a claim, please contact a qualified St. Petersburg spinal cord injury lawyer at Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas. We will review your case for free, and there is no fee unless we recover money for you.

Demanding Full Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to seek full compensation for the treatment you need and expenses you’ve been forced to cover. Compensation in a spinal cord injury claim could include money for:

Medical treatment expenses, including hospital and surgery bills, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical or mobility equipment such as wheelchairs

Longer-term care costs, such as medical treatments for secondary complications or home health services

Lost wages, employment benefits, and future earnings

Physical pain and emotional distress

Reduced life expectancy

Lost quality of life

Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Immediately after an accident, signs or symptoms that could indicate a person has suffered a spinal cord injury include:

Numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities
Complete loss of feeling in hands, feet, arms, and legs
Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
Weakness in the extremities

Balance or coordination issues
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty breathing
Odd positioning or twisting of the neck or back

Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury

Immediately after a spinal cord injury, treatment is aimed at preventing further injury to the head, neck, back, and spinal cord. Doctors will also work to maintain a victim’s breathing ability and avoid complications of paralysis.

If a doctor or emergency responder suspects a spinal cord injury, the victim’s neck and back may be immobilized to minimize the risk of additional damage. The patient might be given medications to help reduce swelling of tissues around the affected spinal cord area. Depending on the cause of the injury, the person might undergo surgery to repair vertebrae and herniated discs or remove foreign objects. Surgery can also stabilize the spine to prevent future complications.

Once the condition stabilizes, treatment shifts to treating or preventing complications and rehabilitation. Doctors might prescribe medication to help prevent muscle loss and reduce the risk of blood clots and infections. Spinal cord injury victims might also undergo procedures to equip them with medical devices that can help with necessary functions.

Rehabilitation efforts are designed to help maintain or build back muscle strength and motor function. Patients may also learn adaptive techniques to live as independently as possible.

Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

The long-term effects and symptoms of a spinal cord injury vary depending on the type of injury. Spinal cord injuries are usually classified as incomplete or complete:

An incomplete spinal cord injury means that the spinal cord was not completely severed, and a person retains some feeling or function in the affected parts of the body.
In contrast, a complete injury involves a complete severing of the spinal cord and a total loss of feeling, function, and movement in the affected part of the body.

The effects of either type of spinal cord injury depend on the location of the injury on the spine. The parts of the body below this location will be affected.

The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can include:

Intense nerve pain or stinging sensation at the point of the spinal cord injury
Loss of movement or paralysis
Paralysis of the legs, pelvis, and trunk, known as paraplegia
Paralysis affecting both the lower and upper torso, known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia
Loss of ability to feel touch, heat, or cold, or altered sensation
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes
Loss of or changes to sexual function or sensitivity
Breathing problems, such as difficulty coughing and clearing the lungs