Spinal Cord Injury Archives
Spinal Cord Injury - Los Angeles
July 13, 2007 02:34 PM
A spinal cord injury can be one of the most devastating injuries anyone will ever face. A spinal cord injury is often caused by a fracture in the spine that injures the nerves in the spinal canal. Typically, spinal cord injuries are a result of force or trauma to the spinal column by either a car accident, slip and falls/trip and falls, auto accidents, a defective product, a physician failing to use care in performing medical services, a recreational accident etc. Spinal cord injuries often result in paralysis, paraplegia or quadriplegia.
The degree of damage that a spinal cord injury presents depends on many factors. Spinal cord injuries can be divided into two categories:
Complete: In a complete spinal cord injury, there is typically a loss of movement and sensation below the injured area. There is generally no displacement of the spine.
Incomplete: In an incomplete spinal cord injury, the patient can still have the ability to move and feel their extremities below the point of injury. Again, displacement of the spine is not generally present.
The exact point of damage that is caused to the spinal cord is referred to as a lesion. These lesions are divided into four categories:
Cervical (C1 – C8): Neck injuries that result in quadriplegia are in the cervical or neck area. The cervical nerves in this area of the spine control the head/neck, diaphram, biceps, deltois, wrist, triceps and hands. If the C1 – C3 are effected, than quadriplegia may result causing complete paralysis of arms, body and legs. Since this also effects the diaphragm, the patient will not be able to breath on their own. A respiratory system will be used as well as a ventilator that can transport oxygen. There are many challenges in a quadriplegia case such as lack of bodily control, the necessity of personal and domestic care and the inability to communication without assistance.
Thoracic (T1 – T11): Injuries in the thoracic area of the spine result in paraplegia. The head, neck and shoulder area would have full movement while injuries in the T1 – T4 section would cause a complete paralysis of the lower body. An injury to this area of the spinal cord can be a devastating one.
Lumbar (L1 – L5): A split between T10 – L1, these injuries may result in a partial paralysis of the lower body. Can cause decreased movement in hips and legs. Located in the lower back, L1 – L5, the nerves in this area control the lower parts of the body including the lower back and abdomen area and buttocks.
Sacral (S1 – S5): This area of the spinal cord controls the lower parts of the legs such as the feet and the genital organs.
Compensation Available
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, past and future; your lost wages, past and future; your lost earning capacity; and your pain and suffering. In addition you may be awarded punitive damages, which are designed to punish the negligent person for acting with malice or conscious disregard for your safety. Oftentimes, this punitive damage award is as big or bigger than the compensatory damages mentioned above.
Although no amount of money can make up for the effects of a spinal cord injury, the law allows victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity and pain and suffering. If nothing else, these awards will ease the financial burden and force the at-fault party to bear some of the responsibility. It is critical to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
Posted by Reza · Link · Spinal Cord Injury · Comments (0)