A spinal cord break or fracture can be one of the most devastating and life-changing injuries an individual can endure. These types of injuries can often result in profound physical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims.
Whether caused by a motor vehicle accident, a workplace incident, medical malpractice, or another form of negligence, these injuries demand not only immediate medical attention but also long-term legal and financial considerations.
This blog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of spinal cord injuries, the legal rights of victims, and how a spinal cord injury attorney in Kansas City can help affected individuals secure compensation and justice.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
A spinal cord injury (also known as an SCI) is damage to the spinal cord as a result of trauma. The spinal cord has bundles of nerves and fibers that work to send and receive signals to and from the brain. When the spinal cord is injured, these signals are interrupted.
There are two main types of SCI: complete or incomplete injuries.
- A complete SCI is when the nerve communication from the brain and the spinal cord is cut off completely. This typically means that people suffering from this type of injury will lose muscle control, feeling, or function below the site of the injury on the spinal cord.
- An incomplete SCI is when the spinal cord is still able to send some signals to and from the brain through the spinal cord. A person suffering from this type of SCI will still have some feeling, muscle control, and function below the site of their injury, even if limited.
Symptoms for SCIs include:
- Loss of movement (paralysis)
- Numbness, tingling, or a change (or loss) in sensation in the hands and feet
- Difficulty breathing
- Problems with walking
The aftermath of a traumatic injury, like an SCI, can be fraught with challenges and uncertainties. SCI survivors often face high medical costs, lifestyle changes, rehab, and long-term specialized care, depending on injury severity.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are a number of causes that can lead to SCIs. The most common spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. They account for nearly 40% of new SCIs each year.
- Falls: Falls are the second leading cause of SCIs, accounting for 32% of new SCIs. Spinal cord injuries after the age of 65 are most likely to be caused by a fall.
- Acts of violence: Gunshot wounds and stabbings are the third most common cause for SCIs. They account for roughly 14% of yearly spinal cord injuries.
- Sports and recreation injuries: Impact sports—like football—and diving in shallow water causes roughly 8% of SCIs.
If you or a loved one ever suspect a spinal cord injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can potentially lead to the injury becoming worse and cause additional damage to the spinal cord.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help
After a SCI, you or your loved one should focus on healing and rehabilitation. Navigating SCI challenges requires support and advocacy—services a skilled spinal cord injury attorney can effectively offer.
Investing in an attorney after an SCI helps to ensure that your legal rights are protected, and that you have access to valuable advice, resources, and support through every step of the legal process.
An SCI attorney will handle all elements of the case on behalf of the victim—advocating aggressively for those injured, handling insurance companies, collaborating with experienced medical experts, and exploring all options for compensation.
Choose a Law Firm That Has Experience Handling Spinal Cord Injury Accidents
Navigating the legal complexities of a spinal cord injury claim requires both experience and unwavering advocacy. Your legal claim should cover medical bills, lost wages, rehab, and pain and suffering—every part of your recovery.
At Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader, our spinal cord injury attorney in Kansas City is committed to fighting for those whose lives have been altered dramatically due to potential negligence. Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial burdens victims can face after an injury, and is here to provide the support necessary they need to move forward.
If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury, do not face this battle alone. Contact a member of our team and let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
The above is not intended to be legal advice. Each individual case is different and must be analyzed on its own set of facts and circumstances. If you believe you may have a case, it is critically important that you timely contact a lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.
