Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Despite the growth of mass transportation and alternative ways to travel, traveling by car is still the method of choice for most Americans. Unfortunately, our love for automobile travel is accompanied by an unfortunate toll of between 30,000 and 40,000 deaths annually resulting from motor vehicle accidents. In addition to the annual death toll, estimates are that more than three million are injured each year in car accidents, with nearly two million of those injuries being of a permanent nature. Of those permanent injuries, many of them result from spinal cord injuries, many of which result in paralysis. Even if the victim does not suffer paralysis, spinal injuries are serious business.
Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in America today. As with any other injury, spinal cord injuries can vary significantly in both degrees of injury and how long the injury will impact the life and functioning of the victim of the injury. Even injuries that will be temporary can cause significant localized pain accompanied by nerve pain that can radiate throughout the body and result in substantial short-term functional limitations. A significant spinal injury will initially result in some degree of swelling through the spinal cord area, causing some loss of function in the injured party. In this situation, it is uncertain how much permanent functional limitation may result until time goes by and the swelling goes down. More serious spine injuries can leave the victim paralyzed.
Common Causes of Spine Injuries
As already noted, being the occupant of a car involved in an accident leads the list of causes of spinal injuries. Beyond vehicle occupants, pedestrians are also frequently involved in motor vehicle accidents and can also suffer serious spinal injuries. In this new age of distracted pedestrians, this type of spinal cord injury victim is on the rise. Another cause of many spinal cord injuries had nothing to do with motor vehicles; the well-known slip and fall injury. Significant spinal cord damage can result from such falls.
Paralysis Due to Spinal Injuries
Significant spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, either temporary or permanent. The degree of paralysis that can result from a spinal cord injury is in large part the result of where on the spinal cord the injury occurred. Trauma to the neck, known as the cervical spine area, can result in the most severe level of spinal injury. Trauma to the upper spine area can result in quadriplegia, leaving the victim unable to move the arms or legs. Loss of bowel and bladder control, even respiratory issues, can result from such a severe injury. Severe spinal injuries in the mid to lower back, the thoracic or lumbar regions, can result in paraplegia, leaving the victim wheelchair-bound, unable to walk.
Contact Thomas J. Henry Today
If you or a loved one has been paralyzed or suffered spine injuries from a fall or motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of someone, contact Thomas J. Henry. At Thomas J. Henry, the largest personal injury law firm in Texas, we know that spinal cord injuries are serious business. You deserve proper compensation for all damages sustained, including payment of all medical bills, past, present and future, and full compensation for pain and suffering, and permanent impairment suffered due to the negligence.
Our expert lawyers can assist you through the entire legal process; start to finish, getting you full compensation for your injuries. Thomas J. Henry has the experience, the expertise, and determination to get clients the large settlements and verdicts they deserve. Call Thomas J. Henry today at 361-985-0600.
