According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, about 18,000 new spinal cord injury cases occur each year. About 300,000 people are currently living with a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries disrupt the communication pathways between the brain and the rest of the body, affecting functions that control motor skills and sensation.
Feagans Law Group P.C. works closely with accident victims and their families. We understand the profound impact these injuries can have on people and are here to advocate for you. If you hire us to handle your case, we work tirelessly to protect your rights and pursue full and fair compensation. Call us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves in the spinal column. It is responsible for various autonomic functions, including regulating temperature, breathing, bladder control, and sexual function. Any injury to this area of the body can result in full or partial loss of motor control and sensation. It can also cause various other serious health problems.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The type and severity of a spinal cord injury depend on where it occurs in the spinal column. The higher up the spinal column the injury occurs, the more severe it can be because any area below the site of injury could be paralyzed.
Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. Complete spinal cord injuries involve the total loss of muscle control and sensation below the injury site. Individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries retain some muscle control and sensation. When all limbs are affected, it is called tetraplegia. When only the bottom half of the body is affected, it is called paraplegia.
Spinal cord injuries can cause muscle spasticity or atrophy, nerve damage, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and other complications. Our attorneys are prepared to efficiently take on spinal cord and brain injury lawsuits in Geneva.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can have immediate symptoms in some cases, while in others, they can be delayed. Potential symptoms may include:
- Loss of feeling
- Difficulty moving
- Pain
- Spastic muscles
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory difficulty
- Digestive issues
- Problems with heart rate
- High or low blood pressure
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after an injury, seek immediate medical attention.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries typically occur because of external force upon the spinal column. Common reasons for these injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Slips and falls
- Medical malpractice
- Sports activities
- Acts of violence
Our experienced Geneva personal injury lawyers can represent you in pursuing compensation following such injuries.
Lifelong Costs of Spinal Cord Injuries
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation estimates that the lifelong costs of a high tetraplegia injury when a victim is 25 years old is over $5.8 million, while for a 50-year-old is over $3.2 million. The foundation estimates that the lifetime costs of paraplegia are over 2.8 million for a 25-year-old or over $1.3 million for a 50-year-old. The first year of treatment alone averages between $400,000 and over $1.3 million, depending on the type of injury. To handle such expensive medical bills, you will need to aggressively pursue maximum compensation with the help of an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer.
Contact Our Geneva Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for Legal Help and Representation
If you suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence, contact Feagans Law Group P.C. for a free consultation. Call us today at (630) 940-2093 to get started working with our team.