A spinal cord injury is damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves of the spinal canal. It can cause permanent changes in strength, feeling, and function below the point of injury. A spine injury can ruin your life. It can cause financial ruin. It can destroy your relationships. If someone else causes you to suffer a spine injury, you may need to file a lawsuit to help put your life back together.
Common causes of spine injury
In the context of a spine injury lawsuit, the injury is usually caused by trauma, like a car crash or fall.
Motor vehicle accidents – Car crashes, truck and 18-wheeler accidents, and motor cycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
Falls – A fall is another leading cause of spinal cord injury. Slippery and wet floors can cause a fall. These are typically handled in premises liability cases. Spinal injuries are more common when the person who falls is over the age of 65.
Other causes of spinal injury include sports and recreation.
Symptoms of spine injury
Spinal cord injuries can have one or more of the following signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of movement
- Loss of ability to feel heat, cold, or touch
- Bladder control issues
- Bowel control issues
- Reflex activities and spasms
- Intense pain in head neck, or back
- Intense pressure in head, neck or back
- Paralysis in any part of the body
- Weakness in any part of the body
- Numbness or tingling in hands, fingers, feet or toes,
- Difficulty with balance
- Difficulty walking
- Oddly twisted neck or back
Spinal cord injuries require medical evaluation and treatment. Because spinal cord injuries are so serious, trauma victims should seek medical assistance immediately to determine if they have a spinal cord injury. A doctor can evaluate your spine injury and develop a treatment plan.
Spine injury lawyers
Whether it is from an accident with an 18-wheeler, a car crash, or a slip and fall, spine injuries are serous. The injuries can be so bad that the insurance company refuses to acknowledge the value of what was taken. They may refuse to admit they are responsible. Or, they may refuse to acknowledge the financial impact of your injuries. When that happens, it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer with experience in spine injury lawsuits as soon as possible. A spine injury lawyer can work with doctors and other experts to present your case according to the laws of your state.