Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most debilitating injuries that people can sustain, and often, the injury or damage is permanent. From mild conditions such as numbness to devastating conditions such as complete paralysis, spinal cord injuries can affect sufferers for the rest of their lives. But the impact does not usually end at the victim; their families can face severe financial and emotional distress while caring for their loved ones.

At Thorson Law Group, our expert trial attorneys never back down from a fight to deliver maximum compensation and justice for our clients. Our team will connect you to the medical experts you and your family deserve after being the victim of a spinal cord injury. Contact Thorson Law Group today if you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord or a traumatic brain injury.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries can have a wide range of impacts—the spinal cord is a bundle of nerves within the backbone. The nerves of the spinal cord are responsible for carrying messages between the brain and body. When these nerves are damaged, it can result in a full or partial loss of motor control and sensation.

Spinal cord injuries can leave victims paralyzed, leaving them without using one or more of their limbs. But, because the spinal cord is responsible for controlling bodily functions such as breathing, body temperature, bladder, and sexual functions, spinal cord injury victims can suffer from a range of serious and permanent health problems.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are caused as a result of traumatic injuries and/or severe impact(s) to the spine. Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Slip and falls
• Acts of violence, such as gunshots or assault
• Recreational sports activities
• Medical errors

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Most spinal cord injuries are detected immediately after an accident occurs. However, it can still take days or even months for the real impact of the injury to appear or evolve fully. Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:

• Loss of feeling
• Difficulty moving
• Breathing problems
• Pain
• Weakness in muscles
• Spastic muscles
• Heart rate problems
• High or low blood pressure
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Sexual dysfunction
• Digestive problems

Degrees and Severity of Spinal Cord Injury

How serious a spinal cord injury is directly responsible for the treatment programs available to victims of the injury. At Thorson Law Group, our attorneys have a history of only working with victims of the spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries and know how to connect you with the medical professionals you and your loved ones deserve.

The seriousness of the injury does not only affect the required treatment but may also significantly change the compensation that you will receive for your case. The degrees of spinal cord injuries are explained further below:

Complete: The victim of the injury loses nearly all feeling and ability to control movement.

Incomplete: The victim of an incomplete spinal cord injury will still have some feelings and control of movements below the areas affected by the injury.

Tetraplegia or quadriplegia: Limbs and most of the body are effected

Paraplegia: Paralysis affects all or part of the body, pelvic organs, and legs.