Spinal cord injuries involve injury to the spinal column that results in a loss of mobility or feeling. Spinal cord injuries are frequently caused by car accidents, gunshots, falls, sports, acts of violence or disease. Almost 11,000 people per year in the United States suffer a traumatic spinal cord injury. More than half the people who have suffered a spinal cord injury are between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age. More males suffer spinal cord injuries than females. The most common cause of a spinal cord injury is automobile crashes that account for approximately 36% of the injuries.
There are two categories for spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. A complete injury is an injury that does not allow any function below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury means that there is some functioning below the primary level of the injury. With the advancement in acute treatment of spinal cord injuries, incomplete injuries are becoming more common.

The level of the injury is very helpful in predicting what parts of the body might be affected by paralysis and loss of function. Generally, cervical (neck) injuries result in quadriplegia, which is loss of function below the neck. Depending on the level of the neck injury, a person may require a ventilator to breathe. C-5 injuries often result in shoulder and biceps control, but no control at the wrist or hand. C-6 injuries generally yield wrist control, but no hand function and C-7 and T-1 injuries will allow a person to straighten his/her arms, but cause dexterity problems with the hands and fingers.
Injuries at the thoracic level and below generally result in paraplegia. The hands are typically not affected. Beside a loss of sensation or motor functioning, individuals with spinal cord injuries may also experience dysfunction of the bowel and bladder. Sexual functioning is frequently affected. Other effects of spinal cord injuries may include low blood pressure, inability to regulate blood pressure effectively, reduced control of body temperature, inability to sweat below the level of injury and chronic pain.

In spinal cord injury cases it is very important that all evidence is preserved, that medical procedures are promptly reviewed, and that physicians or expert witnesses are able to thoroughly evaluate the accident record and injuries.

Damages in spinal cord injury cases are usually very substantial. The average cost of coping with a spinal cord injury in the first year can run as high as $500,000 for the most severe injuries. For each year after that, the average cost is approximately $100,000. These figures do not include any indirect damages such as lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish. All of these damages continue throughout the life of a victim.

The most serious injuries that our firm sees involve traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries range from a subdural hematoma caused by a closed head injury to a ruptured disk in the spine due to a work-related lifting injury or car accident. Injuries involving the human brain or spinal cord often result in life-changing permanent disabilities. With brain or spinal injuries, people that cause the injury can often be held legally responsible. Injuries that occur at work are covered by workers' compensation.

We have represented hundreds of clients who have suffered serious head and brain injuries or spinal cord damage in construction site accidents and automobile crashes. Often the family will be talked into hiring an attorney who is not qualified to handle such a large case and the results can be unfortunate. Because of lack of understanding of the injuries and the impact on the victim's life, the case is usually settled for much less than its full value, leaving the family in destitute circumstances in a very short time.

The choice of a law firm in cases involving serious injuries is important. The attorneys must understand the medical aspects of the case in order to assist the victim and the family during the acute recovery. He or she must be able to communicate with physicians and hospital personnel, coordinate insurance coverages and generally protect the legal rights of the injured person.

The firm is able to hire the necessary expertise to prove the case and establish the extent of the injury. We are able to prepare the case for jury trial, if that becomes necessary, in order to achieve maximum results for our clients.

Personal Injuries Attorneys USA is a contingency-based law firm, which brings your legal cost to FREE! Our goal is to help you in your case. Time is valuable, and when in need, nothing is more valuable than finding the right legal advice pertaining to your case. We are a law firm. We help you, the consumer, understand your case, and most importantly know your rights. Please call me on my cell phone right now at 800 933-6529 or fill out the form and I will contact you promptly.