Dallas Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord due to trauma. Spinal cord injuries are often the result of severe accidents caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness.
It usually results from a traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae, causing bruising or tearing of the spinal cord tissue. Some form of paralysis usually results.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. You should seek legal advice immediately – before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before you sign anything.
Let the law offices of Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., advise you about your rights after an accident that caused paralysis. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Please call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online.
About Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
According to the Mayo Clinic, the degree of disability caused by a spinal cord injury depends on both the location and the severity of the injury. The lowest part of the spinal cord that still functions normally determines the level of the injury. Severity of the injury is classified as either “complete” or “incomplete.”
A complete injury occurs when all ability to control motion and almost all feeling are lost below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury occurs when some sensation and motor function remain below the level of the injury. Incomplete injuries have varying degrees.
Paralysis from spinal cord injury can affect the arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs in tetraplegia/quadriplegia. It can affect part or all of the trunk, the pelvic organs, and arms in paraplegia, depending on the level of the injury.
Possible symptoms of any type of spinal injury may include:
- Loss of sensation, including cold, heat and touch.
- Loss of movement.
- Spasms or exaggerated reflex action.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Change in sexual function, sensitivity and fertility.
- Difficulty coughing, breathing or clearing the lungs.
- Pain or intense stinging from damaged spinal cord nerve fibers.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
The CDC has categorized the causes of SCI and percentage of total SCI attributable to each cause as follows:
Treatment Options
Sadly, there is no known way to reverse a spinal cord injury at present. Researchers are continually working to develop new treatments, such as prostheses and drugs that may help nerve cells regenerate or improve the function of the nerves remaining after SCI.
In the acute stages of treatment shortly after a spinal cord injury, the focus of emergency room doctors is to
Medication may cause mild improvement in some SCI victims by reducing nerve cell damage and decreasing inflammation near the injury. Traction is sometimes used to stabilize the spine and bring it into alignment. Surgery is often performed to remove foreign objects, pieces of bone, fractured vertebrae, or herniated disks that are compressing the spine, or to prevent future pain and deformity.
Rehabilitation, including physical therapy, is an important part of SCI recovery. Medications may also be used to control pain, and improve bowel and bladder control and sexual function. Lighter-weight wheelchairs, electrical stimulation devices, computer adaptations and electronic aids are sometimes used to make life easier for SCI victims.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury through someone else’s negligence, it is important to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney and actively pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive. Medical expenses and costs related to paralysis are extremely high and will likely continue throughout your lifetime.
Contact Our Dallas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Whether your injury was caused by a car accident, a fall, a sports injury, or any other type of accident, the experienced lawyers at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., are dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. We can thoroughly examine the facts in your case and work with investigators to establish liability of the party who caused your injuries. Our lawyers have been helping spinal cord injury victims in Northern Texas for decades.
We know to handle paralysis cases, and we have helped clients obtain fair compensation for their spinal cord injuries. Whether your case is settled out of court or we take it to trial, you can rest assured that we have the skills and experience needed to provide you with vigorous representation in your accident claim.
Please contact us for a Free consultation
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Fact Sheet
- Mayo Clinic – Diseases and Conditions: Spinal Cord Injury: Symptoms