Obtaining Compensation for Salina Spinal Cord Injuries

Tragically, thousands of people sustain life-altering spinal injuries every year. These injuries can leave victims paralyzed, susceptible to other illnesses, depressed, or unable to earn a living. Fortunately, injured parties may be able to obtain compensation for their losses if they can establish that someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused the injury-causing accident. Any kind of serious personal injury such as a back injury should never be taken lightly.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Made up by a collection of nerves that extend from the brain to the spine, the spinal cord is instrumental in the brain’s ability to send messages to the rest of the body. Even slight damage to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences.

Spinal cord injuries often occur when a person’s spine is compressed or stretched as is often the case in car crashes where the head and neck snap forward in response to a traumatic and sudden blow. This can cause damage to a passenger’s vertebrae through spinal fractures or dislocations. When these vertebrae sustain damage, the resulting broken or bulging discs may cause further injury by bruising or tearing the spinal cord tissue, which can result in a loss of movement and feeling throughout the body. Damage to the vertebrae can also cause fluid to build-up both inside and outside the spine, which can lead to additional mobility and sensory issues.

Most spinal cord injuries are the result of trauma, such as:

• Falls from great heights;
• Sporting accidents;
• Medical malpractice, and
• Acts of violence.

Symptoms And Treatment

Spinal cord injuries can manifest in different ways. There are, however, some symptoms that are common to many victims, including:

• Weakness in the limbs;
• Loss of muscle function;
• Loss of sensation;
• Loss of control over the bowels and bladder;
• Loss of sexual function;
• Loss of speech;
• Difficulty breathing; and
• Severe pain.

Although the results of some spinal injuries are permanent, there are a series of treatments that have proven successful in helping victims regain some movement and feeling. These treatments include:

• Surgeries to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or stabilize a patient’s vertebrae;
• Prescription steroids, which can reduce inflammation and swelling in the spinal cord; and
• Physical therapy.

Potential Damages

While effective, these treatments can be extremely expensive, making it especially important for those who were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence to obtain compensation from the responsible party for their losses and personal injury. This compensation may include coverage for a variety of expenses, including:

• Medical costs;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of future income; and
• Property damage.

In cases involving tragic spinal cord accidents, plaintiffs are also often able to receive compensation for:

• Pain and suffering;
• Mental anguish;
• Physical impairment;
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement; and
• Loss of spousal companionship.

Contact An Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today

Spinal cord injuries or any kind of back injury are particularly devastating because the results are often permanent, making it especially important for victims to obtain compensation from the at-fault parties, so if you live in Kansas and recently sustained a spinal injury, please contact the law firm of Neustrom & Associates at 785-825-1505 to schedule an initial consultation at their Salina office.