Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, contact a Indiana injury lawyer at Woods and Woods.

Over 10,000 people in the US suffer a spinal cord injury, also called SCI, each year. An SCI is defined as any damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function or mobility. Such injuries can be caused by trauma or disease and can result in temporary or permanent loss of sensation, loss of movement (paralysis), or loss of control of bodily functions. Auto accidents are the primary cause, but injuries caused by violence – such as gunshot wounds – have been steadily increasing as a cause of spinal cord injuries. Falls and sports accidents also cause many SCIs each year.

What are the types of spinal cord injuries?
There are two types of damages—complete and incomplete. A complete damage is one in which the victim has no sensation or voluntary motor movement on either side of the body below the level of the injury. If the victim has some feeling or partial movement, it is called an incomplete injury.

Injuries are further defined in reference to the area of the spine affected. For example, damage to the spine in the neck area affects the cervical vertebrae, so an impairment to the nerves at the fifth cervical vertebra would be called a C-5 injury. Below the neck are the thoracic vertebrae, so injuries there would be defined as T-1, T-2, and so on. Beyond that are the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, and injuries in those areas are named in a similar manner.

What are the results of a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord damage usually involves swelling of the spinal cord, which affects the whole body. After the swelling goes down, it is possible for the patient to regain function months or years after the damage, but it is rare for all previous function to be recovered.

Generally speaking, neck injuries will lead to paralysis of all limbs (quadriplegia) while thoracic injuries cause paralysis to the lower limbs only (paraplegia). But injuries to both areas can result in varying amounts of dysfunction, depending on the severity of the impairment. For instance, an incomplete cervical damage can leave the patient with some hand use, while a complete impairment at C-4 may require the patient to be on a ventilator. Thoracic injuries can leave the arms functional but interfere with walking, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. Beyond terms of physical mobility, blood pressure, body temperature, and pain perception can also be affected by a spinal cord injury.

What can be done for a spinal cord injury?
Treatment presently consists of stabilizing any broken vertebrae, maintaining the patient, preventing movement to the injured area, and reducing swelling. There is currently no cure for SCI, but stem cell research has shown some signs of being useful in the future.

What should I do if I suffered a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries can be especially troubling. These injuries can cause severe physical and emotional pain, extreme life disruption, extraordinarily expensive medical bills, and, in many cases, result in the need for long-term care. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord damage caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. You need a Indiana injury lawyer on your side.

Free Consultation

Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury? Contact a Indiana spinal cord injury lawyer at Woods and Woods today. Our main office is located in Evansville, Indiana, and serve Jasper and Vincennes. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us at 812-426-7200 for an immediate and confidential evaluation of your case.

© 2006 Woods and Woods Evansville, Indiana Injury Lawyers.
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