A spinal injury can change your life in an instant. Whether the injury occurs in an auto collision, a fall, or another accident, you can go from fully capable to paralyzed within seconds. Therefore, financial recovery after a spinal injury is often essential to getting the care you need.
When you sustain an injury to your spine, you will likely face long-term medical costs. Recovering payments from the person who hurt you is the best way to help pay for any accommodation you need—a talented catastrophic injury lawyer could help you file a legal claim. A Southlake spinal cord injury lawyer can review your injury’s circumstances and advise you on how to proceed.
What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
A spinal cord injury is more than a hurt back: these injuries occur when a person’s vertebra fractures or dislocates, damaging the soft tissue in the spine. The consequences can be extreme, including total paralysis when the accident completely severs the person’s spinal cord.
The higher the spine the injury is, the more regions of the body it impacts. For example, paraplegia occurs when the damage impacts a person’s spine below the neck region, limiting their ability to use their legs. On the other hand, quadriplegia occurs when the individual’s neck is damaged, making them unable to use any of their limbs.
Not all spinal injuries result in total or partial paralysis; they can also lead to loss of control of some or all bodily functions—for example, loss of incontinence, the inability to control bowels, and loss of sexual function. Spinal cord injuries can also impact involuntary responses such as breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure. Sometimes, these injuries affect only one side of the injured person’s body—this is common when the person’s injuries result from a gunshot. In Southlake, a lawyer knowledgeable about spinal cord damage can explain how different injuries might impact financial recovery.
For a free legal consultation, call (817) 775-5364
What is the Difference Between Complete and Incomplete Spine Injuries?
Two categories of spinal injuries exist: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal injury is what most people think of as paralysis. In these cases, the injured person loses sensation and motor function below the injury site. Often, those who have complete paralysis do not recover.
On the other hand, the injured person retains some feeling or motor control with an incomplete spinal injury. Those suffering from incomplete spinal injuries can undergo medical treatment. While they may respond to this care, the injuries may also get progressively worse over time. Speaking with a medical professional to get a full prognosis of the injury is crucial.
Doctors and other spine specialists use various scales to describe the severity of an injury. One of the most common scales is the Frankel Scale, which includes four grades.
- A: A complete injury without feeling or motor function under L4 or L5.
- B: An incomplete injury, with sensation but little to no motor function.
- C: An incomplete injury, with sensation and some motor function but with substantial weakness.
- D: An incomplete injury, with feeling and motor function with minor impairment.
While every injury is unique, grading scales help doctors easily quantify the severity of the harm. Spinal cord injury grading scales could also help a hardworking lawyer evaluate a plaintiff’s injuries to determine appropriate compensation.
Southlake Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Serving the Southlake Area
Many incidents cause people to suffer spinal cord injuries, including auto accidents, assaults, workplace incidents, and slip-and-fall incidents. The process for monetary recovery differs depending on the cause of the injury.
That said, consulting with an attorney to find out what steps to take to preserve your legal rights is essential. A Southlake area spinal cord injury lawyer could help you assess the cause and severity of your injury and advise you on the best course of action to maximize your recovery. Call today to schedule a consultation.
Call (817) 775-5364 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
