Life-Changing Injuries to the Spinal Cord

In just an instant, your life could be forever changed.  It could be a traffic accident, a fall down a flight of stairs, or even a physical assault. Whatever the situation, if it results in a spinal cord injury, it could turn your life upside down.  If the injury occurs due to another person’s recklessness, negligence, or vitriol, you may be entitled to damages to address your medical bills and a lot more.

Liability Issues 

Studies indicate that the majority of spinal cord injuries are the result of negligence.  Nearly 40 percent of these injuries occur due to vehicular accidents.  If another driver was distracted, inebriated, raging, or otherwise at fault, they may be held financially responsible for the costs you incur.  Almost one-third of spinal cord injuries are related to falls. If your fall was related to improper snow removal, poorly secured railings, or other instances of negligence, premises liability may be a valid claim.  Another 14 percent of these injuries occur due to an act of violence. Clearly, an assailant could be held liable for your injuries.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury 

When the spinal cord is exposed to severe shaking or trauma, it can result in damage to the delicate nervous system and its ability to send signals throughout your body. There are varying degrees of damage that may occur, based on the types of injury that occur:

Sacral (Spinal Cord) Injuries are quite serious, impacting organs and the lower body.  The hips and legs may suffer partial or total paralysis due to lumbar injuries. Abdominal muscles, as well as respiration, may be impacted by thoracic injuries, whereas cervical damage may affect the head and neck. Injuries might be deemed complete, meaning the damage is expected to result in permanent paralysis, or incomplete, referring to the possibility of experiencing partial movement and limited feeling.  Sadly, those who experience spinal cord injuries often have a shorter life expectancy, with complications such as renal failure, pneumonia, and sepsis being the most common culprits.

Dollars and Cents 

The mental and emotional costs associated with this type of injury are incalculable.  Likewise, the financial costs are breathtaking.  In just the first year after sustaining injuries, medical and other costs may soar between $350,000 and $1 million.  In the years following this trauma, costs remain between $45,000 and $200,000 every year for the rest of the patient’s life. Ultimately, spinal cord injuries cost millions of dollars. 

Collecting Damages 

If you or a loved one is facing the horrific news of a spinal cord injury, you are likely feeling overwhelmed.  At The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes, our Baltimore personal injury lawyers will stand by you and aggressively seek damages from guilty parties to assist in covering medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with the injury. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.

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