A car accident, a slip and fall, and a workplace injury. What do many accidents have in common? They can lead to significant damage to your spinal cord and change your way of life, often through no fault of your own.
A minor spinal cord injury might cause weakness and tingling, and require surgery. But a more serious spinal cord injury can cause paralysis, and might be impossible to repair with our current technology. Each of these scenarios, in addition to the physical pain, leads to financial stress as well. For these reasons, a spinal cord injury is always a serious matter.
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in Sarasota, Morgan & Morgan’s spinal cord injury attorneys work tirelessly to get results for their clients, and they may be able to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is one of the most critical body parts, allowing the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. While it is protected by muscle, bone, cartilage, and fluid, it’s still quite vulnerable in accidents. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal injuries in the United States.
However, falls from heights and injuries during recreational activities are also common. In any given year, there are roughly 12,500 spinal cord injuries in the United States. Violent movements, like in a car accident, can cause vertebral bones in the spine or discs cushioning those bones to move, putting pressure on the spinal cord and in other nerve roots. In some cases, the spinal cord could be completely severed, causing tremendous and irreparable damage.
Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result in a variety of damages, including:
- Pain, weakness, or loss of feelings in the hands or legs depending on the injury are;a
- Loss of sensation, including ability to feel heat, cold, or touch;
- Incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and other bowel conditions;
- Changes in fertility or sexual function; and
- Difficulty breathing.
This list is not exhaustive. Spinal cord injuries can rob individuals of most of their feeling, ability to control parts of their body, and even result in death. A victim of paraplegia or another serious condition as a result of an injury can expect to incur more than $500,000 in medical and other expenses in the first year and nearly $70,000 each year thereafter. This makes fair compensation of crucial importance, so as to best maintain your quality of life.
Sarasota Spinal Cord Injury Victims can Rely on a Strong Attorney
Even a minor or moderate back injury can entail a long and expensive recovery, often coming with surgery and necessitating time missed from work. When your life has been altered by a spinal injury caused by another’s negligence, our Sarasota personal injury attorneys can help ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or otherwise due to another’s negligence, Morgan & Morgan can help you understand your options with a risk-free, no-cost case evaluation.