Statistics tell us that there are over 250,000 people with spinal cord injuries living in the United States today. Of those living with a spinal cord injury, 52% are considered paraplegic (paralyzed from the waist down) and 47% are considered quadriplegic (paralyzed in both the arms and legs). Estimates are that another 11,000 people will suffer a spinal cord injury this year. Sadly, 48% of those injuries will be caused by a vehicular accident.
Your spinal cord is a part of your central nervous system – the other part being your brain. Your spinal cord extends down from the base of your brain and stops just above your waist. Inside your spinal cord are nerve cells and groups of nerve cells that all travel to different parts of your body. These tracts in your spinal cord carry messages from your brain to parts of your body. They also carry signals from your brain that control the muscles in your body. Additional tracts carry signals back to your brain that relate to heat, cold, pressure and pain.
While spinal cord injuries can be caused in a number of ways, the most common cause of a spinal cord injury is a car accident. In a car accident, your spinal cord may suffer a sudden, traumatic blow that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. Without proper treatment, and sometimes even with immediate, proper treatment, additional damage can be sustained over days and weeks due to bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid retention around or in your spinal cord.
Symptoms of a spinal cord injury can include: loss of movement; difficulty breathing; loss of sensation; pain or stinging sensation; loss of bowel or bladder control; changes in sexual function, sensitivity and fertility; and spasms or exaggerated reflexes. Immediately after an accident, a spinal cord injury may produce extreme back pain, weakness, numbness, difficulty walking or breathing, or a loss of sensation or a tingling in limbs or fingers. It is extremely important that you not attempt to move someone that may have suffered a spinal cord injury. Any movement may exacerbate the problem. Wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive so the person can be transported to a hospital without further risk of injury.
If you have been involved in an accident and have any concerns that you may have suffered a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you seek medical advice immediately. The longer a spinal cord injury is left untreated, the more severe the injury can become.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of a car accident contact an experienced California personal injury attorney to discuss how you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. The cost of a spinal cord injury over a lifetime can be overwhelming and you should not have to bear that burden alone if someone else was responsible for your injuries.
If you would like leading attorney to evaluate your Spinal Cord Injury matter, contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit us at www.ledgerlaw.com.
