Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious and common injuries our clients deal with as a result of a slip and fall, automobile accident, or offshore injury. The spinal cord is a delicate and vital part of the human anatomy, as it is responsible for transmitting messages from your brain to the rest of your body. Damage to the spinal cord caused by trauma can lead to partial or complete paralysis and numerous health complications. As an injured party, you need to make sure to always seek medical treatment or inform your attorney if you feel any pain radiating from around your chest, shoulder blades, arms, legs or lower back. In addition, numbness in your arms and/or legs after an accident could be caused by damage to your spinal cord.
We represented an individual who was severely injured while working on a barge along the Mississippi river. Our client had been ordered by the Captain and the First Mate in an emergency situation to help snatch on a ratchet to secure the stern barge to the lead barge when the lines broke loose from the dock. When this event occurred, our client’s left arm was violently pulled, and his upper body twisted.
After the incident, our client sought medical treatment for his shoulder and eventually underwent surgery. It was not until later that our client, after his shoulder surgery, continued to complain of pain radiating into his upper back/shoulder/scapula region. At one point, he went to the emergency room thinking he was having a heart attack. Nonetheless, we went into mediation after his shoulder surgery in an attempt to settle his claim.
Luckily, our client informed us during the settlement conference of his ongoing symptoms of pain radiating in his back and around his rib cage. We ended the mediation and immediately scheduled an MRI. The MRI revealed that our client had three herniated disks in his thoracic spine. We eventually settled the claim for seven figures, meaning he would have lost out on a huge sum of money if he did not say anything about his continued pain following his shoulder surgery. Remember, always inform your attorney or seek medical treatment if you have any of the symptoms previously mentioned.
Below is a list of the some of the most common types of spinal cord injuries we have seen while representing an injury party:
Whiplash is a common injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and violently thrown forward and then backward, causing the neck to overextend. It’s a type of soft tissue injury that affects the neck and upper back and can result in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc ruptures and pushes through the outer layer. This can cause pain and discomfort in the back and can also result in nerve damage or paralysis.
Spinal fractures occur when the bones of the spine are broken or cracked. These can be caused by the force of a car accident and can result in serious spinal cord damage.
A contusion is a bruise to the spinal cord that can result in temporary or permanent paralysis. These injuries can be caused by the force of an impact during an automobile accident.
Compression occurs when the spinal cord is squeezed or compressed, resulting in nerve damage or paralysis. This can be caused by a spinal fracture or herniated disc.
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed or damaged, resulting in a complete loss of sensation and movement below the injury site.
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed or damaged, which results in a complete loss of sensation and movement below the injury site.
As discussed, a spinal cord injury (SCI) can have varying degrees of severity. To illustrate the difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury, let’s consider the case of a 28- year-old man injured in an offshore accident that caused a SCI.
The man’s MRI shows that his spinal cord has been partially damaged, but not completely severed. This means that some of the nerve fibers in his spinal cord are still intact. The symptoms he experiences will depend on which part of his spinal cord was injured.
In this case, the man has an incomplete SCI at the T12-L1 level, which means that the injury occurred between the 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebrae. As a result of the injury, the man experiences weakness and numbness in both legs. He also has difficulty controlling his bowel and bladder function.
The man undergoes physical therapy and rehabilitation to improve his strength and mobility. Over time, he regains some sensation and movement in his legs, but he still requires the use of a wheelchair to get around.
In contrast, let’s consider the case of a 32-year-old man who fell off a roof and landed on his back, causing a complete SCI at the T10 level, which means that the spinal cord was completely severed at the 10th thoracic vertebra.
The man immediately experiences complete paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of the injury. He is unable to move his legs or feel anything in them. He also loses control of his bowel and bladder function.
The man undergoes surgery to stabilize his spine and prevent further damage. He then begins a rigorous rehabilitation program, which includes physical therapy and occupational therapy. Despite his efforts, he is unlikely to regain any movement or sensation below the level of the injury and will require lifelong care and support.
In summary, the difference between an incomplete and complete SCI is that an incomplete injury means that some of the nerve fibers in the spinal cord are still intact, while a complete injury means that the spinal cord has been completely severed. The severity of the injury will determine the symptoms and the extent of recovery that is possible and the amount of damages you are entitled to under the law.
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after an automobile accident, slip & fail, offshore accident or any other type of accident. You need to always make sure to properly diagnose and treat any potential spinal cord injuries. The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can be devastating, and treatment options may include rehabilitation, surgery, and ongoing medical care. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to an automobile accident, slip and fall, offshore accident, or any other type of accident, it may be helpful to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your damages.