Monterey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A serious back injury can affect the spine, causing a permanent wound. Car accidents, sports injuries, and gunshot wounds are common causes of spinal injuries. These injuries can also be caused by diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
A spinal cord injury refers to damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. Such an injury can be complete or incomplete. A complete injury occurs when all feeling and all ability to control movement are lost below the site of the injury. If you have some motor or sensory function below the injury, it is considered to be incomplete.
A spinal cord injury can cause mobility issues as well as a lifetime of pain and suffering. A person may even be paralyzed and have paraplegia or quadriplegia. They may have to use a wheelchair for the rest of their life. A spinal cord injury can also lead to bowel and bladder dysfunction, decreased sexual function, and breathing problems.
A spinal cord injury comes with many effects. Dealing with all of them can be costly. Contact
Allen Law Firm to assess your situation. See how one of our lawyers can help you deal with the financial effects of such a serious injury.
Symptoms
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical help right away:
- Extreme back pain
- Pressure in your back, head, or neck
- Twisted back or neck
- Weakness or paralysis in any part of your body
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty with balance and walking
- Numbness or tingling in any body part
- Loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Breathing difficulties
Complications
You may be concerned about the lifespan of someone with a spinal cord injury. Is it possible to not live as long? Life expectancy depends on the degree of the injury. For the most part, a person who is still alive 24 hours after a spinal cord injury occurs will still be alive 10 years later. The survival rate for 25 years is at 60% and that number continues to climb.
The biggest issue that a person with a spinal cord injury must face is respiratory illnesses. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of death. Using a ventilator can increase your risk of developing pneumonia.
Pressure sores are also issues that should be avoided. An untreated pressure sore can lead to hospitalization and could even be fatal.
Compensation For Spinal Injuries In Monterey
Our Monterey spinal injury lawyer explains common ways they happen and how getting compensation plays a crucial role in recovery.
Common Types of Monterey Spinal Injuries And How They Can Occur
Your back is composed of 36 vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord and allow for various bodily movements. They are divided into four sections: the neck or cervical vertebrae, the thoracic or mid-region, the lumbar area, comprising the lower back, and the sacrum or pelvic area. Injuries that happen in any of these regions can have long-term impacts on your health and well-being.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that injuries involving the spine are one of the most common types of personal injuries. Common spinal injuries that can happen as a result include:
- Pulled muscles and tendons in the back or neck;
- Bulging or herniated discs;
- Fractured vertebrae;
- Injuries to the spinal cord or column.
Back pain may be caused by genetics, poor posture, or lifestyle issues. However, it is also one of the most common types of accidental injuries. It often happens as a result of the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- Slips and falls;
- Overuse on the job;
- Sports and recreational accidents.
Recovering From Spinal Injuries In Monterey
The Mayo Clinic warns victims that impacts directly to the spinal cord or column can cause permanent paralysis at and below the impact site. However, any type of bump, blow, or jolt to the muscles, vertebrae, or discs in the back or neck may result in chronic pain, sensory problems, and limited mobility.
If you are in an accident and suspect a back or neck injury has happened, get immediate medical care and follow all doctor instructions regarding treatment and work or other activity restrictions. When spinal injuries in Monterey happen due to negligence on the part of others, you have the right to seek compensation. Getting the maximum amount you are entitled to in a claim plays a crucial role in your recovery. This should include:
- Coverage of future and current medical costs: This includes diagnostic testing, surgery or other procedures, physical therapy, medications, home health care, and mobility devices, such as walkers or canes.
- Reimbursement of current and future lost income and benefits: In addition to current lost income, you are entitled to payment for future losses in earnings due to long-term disabilities.
- Additional amounts for pain and suffering: This should include compensation for chronic pain and lost enjoyment in life due to being unable to engage in your prior activities.
Contact Allen Law Firm Today
Spinal injuries often have long-term effects. They do not usually heal on their own and there is no cure.
If you or a loved one has been affected, you need to be prepared for a lifetime of rehabilitation. You’ll need a lot of treatment. Allen Law Firm can help you get the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills. Contact our Monterey spinal injuries lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Fill out the online form or call (831) 901-3901.
