Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A spinal cord injury is among the most serious injuries a person can suffer in an accident. It can change how the body moves and feels, and the effects often last a lifetime. Families are left facing medical care, loss of income, and major changes at home, all at once.

This guide explains how spinal cord injuries happen, how they can affect your life, and what compensation may cover in a Brooklyn injury claim. If you were hurt in a crash, a Brooklyn car accident lawyer can explain your options.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, explains in its page on spinal cord injuries that these injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates the bones of the spine. Bone fragments can then tear or press on the cord and the nerves that carry signals.

When those signals are disrupted, a person can lose movement or feeling and may become paralyzed.

Complete and Incomplete Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are often described as complete or incomplete. In a complete injury, the cord cannot send signals below the level of the injury, which leads to paralysis below that point. In an incomplete injury, some movement and sensation remain below the injury. Doctors determine which type a person has, and the effects can differ widely from one person to the next.

Common Causes

Spinal cord injuries can happen in many kinds of accidents, including:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes.
• Falls from heights, ladders, or scaffolds, including at construction sites.
• Pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
• Slips and falls on unsafe property.

When another party’s carelessness caused the accident, that party may be responsible. Our guide to understanding liability in Brooklyn accidents explains who may be held accountable.

Why Prompt Medical Care Matters

MedlinePlus describes a spinal cord injury as a medical emergency and notes that immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. If you or someone near you may have a spinal injury after an accident, call 911 right away.

Treatment can include medicines, devices that stabilize the spine, and surgery. Later care usually involves rehabilitation therapy, and mobility aids and assistive devices can help with moving around and with daily tasks.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Can Change Your Life

The impact reaches far beyond the hospital. People may face:

• Long hospital stays and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Home changes, such as ramps, lifts, and accessible bathrooms.
• Mobility equipment and personal care.
• Loss of the ability to work, or a need to change careers.
• Emotional struggles and strain on family relationships.

Compensation in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Because these injuries are so costly, a claim may include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, home and vehicle changes, lost income and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and the loss of daily independence. Our guide to economic vs. non-economic damages in Brooklyn explains how these categories work.

Future needs are a key part of these claims. Medical records, treatment plans, and cost estimates help show what care a person is likely to need.

Related Injuries

Spinal injuries exist on a range. Less severe injuries to the back can still cause lasting pain. Our guide to back injuries after an accident covers sprains, herniated discs, and other common problems.

Protecting Your Claim

If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury, keep every medical record and bill, write down how the injury affects daily life, and do not sign anything from an insurance company without legal advice. Deadlines apply to injury claims, so speak with a lawyer early.

Talk to a Brooklyn Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury claim often involves lifelong needs and large financial questions. The lawyers at Edelstein, Faegenburg & Blyakher, LLP handle these cases, and you can learn more about our Brooklyn spinal cord injury lawyers. Call us or send a message through our contact page to request a free consultation.

We also help injured people in Manhattan.

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