Spinal Cord & Back Injuries | Practice Areas | Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys

An Overview- Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

The human back is an intricate structure of bones, muscles, and other tissues extending from the neck to the pelvis. The backbone runs down the middle of the back and protects the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves which transmit information between the brain and the rest of the body. Because of the important functions of the back and spinal cord, injuries to these areas can be devastating and life-altering.

Types of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

Back Injuries- Because back injuries involve only the bones in the back, a person can actually “break” their back or neck without sustaining a paralyzing spinal cord injury. Back injuries include:

Sprains and strains
Herniated disks
Fractured vertebrae

Spinal Cord Injuries- Spinal cord injuries, as opposed to back injuries, can cause paralysis or death. Spinal cord injuries are categorized by the level of injury and how much motor function is left below that level. They are grouped into one of two categories:

Complete injury- no function below the primary level of injury
Incomplete injury-some functioning below the primary level of injury

Causes of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

There are many different causes of spinal cord and back injuries, from car accidents and defective products to sports accidents and medical malpractice. Some common causes include:

Motor vehicle accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Acts of physical violence
Recreational sports activities
Other- complications/errors that occur during surgical procedures, defective products, etc.

Signs/Symptoms of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

Head that is in an unusual position
Numbness or tingling that spreads down an arm or leg
Weakness or difficulty walking
Paralysis of arms or legs
No bladder or bowel control
Symptoms of shock (pale, clammy skin; bluish lips and fingernails; acting dazed or semiconscious)
Lack of alertness (unconsciousness)
Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain

Spinal Cord and Back Injury Facts and Statistics

Information provided by the National Institutes of Health.

There are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 spinal cord/back injuries every year in the United States.
A quarter of a million Americans are currently living with spinal cord/back injuries.
The cost of managing the care of spinal cord and back injury patients approaches $4 billion each year.
55% of spinal cord/back injury victims are between 16 and 30 years old.
More than 80% of spinal cord/back injury patients are men.

Compensation for Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

Any person who has suffered a spinal cord or back injury knows that the road to recovery can be long and expensive. If the injury was caused by a person’s negligence or by a defective product, the injured person may consider filing a lawsuit to recover compensatory damages for:

Past and future medical expenses
Pain and Suffering
Cost of assisted devices
Modifications necessary for the home

Contact an Experienced Spinal Cord and Back Injury Attorney

Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with offices in Corpus Christi, Texas and Houston, Texas representing spinal cord and back injury victims nationwide. Our priority is to provide our clients with the best legal representation. Our experienced trial attorneys are committed to defending your rights in personal injury matters including spinal cord and back injuries caused by auto or truck accidents, maritime accidents, defective products, or medical malpractice.

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