Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is any type of injury experienced that causes loss of mobility or feeling to any part of the body. This usually occurs due to damage done to the nerve roots or the myelinated fiber tracts. An individual with a SPI does not necessarily have to have a severed cord, and in most cases the spinal cord is completely intact. Oftentimes damage can occur to the spinal column or back and the individual will not experience any damage to the spinal cord. SPIs fall into five classifications, ranging from A to E, A being the most severe. An A classification denotes a total spinal cord injury, meaning there is no obtainable motor or sensory function. On the other end of the spectrum an E classification denotes that motor and sensory functions exist, however there can still be neurological defects present. There are approximately 450,000 people living with a SCI in the United States alone and it is estimated that there are an additional 10,500 new cases each year. Many of these individuals must undergo rehabilitation therapy offered at hospitals or specialty facilities like CareMeridian.

SCIs can be either classified as being traumatic or non-traumatic in form.  Traumatic instances include; a blow to the spine from a vehicle accident, a fall, a sports injury or an act of violence. Non-traumatic instances include diseases such as cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis and inflammation of the spinal cord. It is important to note that 25% of SCIs are related to some sort of alcohol accident or abuse.  Those involved in drunk driving accidents are at especially high risk for SCIs. While there is no way to completely prevent SCIs, individuals can take precautions against them by avoiding high risk situations like driving while intoxicated or traveling with an intoxicated individual.

Spinal Cord Injury Accidents

Any accident has the potential to cause harm or injuries to anyone. There are worse injuries that a victim can obtain that would stay with them for a lifetime.

Disabilities and deformities may be a living proof of the accident in which the victim has been involved with.

This permanent harm done by a person to another may be sometimes not compensated enough with financial payment that was paid to them.

Spinal Cord Injury -- One of these permanent disabilities is the damage to the spinal cord. Statistics show that 35% of spinal cord injury is acquired from car crashes. Our spinal cord pretty much keeps the whole body in motion and is responsible for sending signals through the nerves to different organs in our body which causes them to react. Slight damage to the sensitive spinal cord can put a person to permanent disability or paralysis.

Effects of the Injury -- Depending on the damage, the person may not be able to walk, to talk, or could even be paralyzed for the rest of his life. There are two types of spinal cord damage; there is the partial and complete paralysis. In partial spinal cord injury, there may be ways to treat the patient that could make him regain sensations in the damaged area and, thus, be able to be normal again. On the other hand, there is a complete paralysis where there is massive damage that cannot be rehabilitated.

Symptoms of the Injury after the Accident

Because the trauma to the spinal injury cannot be seen with naked eye, here are some symptoms or signs that a patient with spinal cord injury commonly shows:

• Inability to walk or stand up from his position
• Numbness on the affected area - Lack of sensation in toes, hands, and legs can be attributed to spinal cord injury.
• Distortion of the affected area - Twisted or bent part of the body like the neck, arms, and legs can be signs that he may trauma on his spinal cord.
• Difficulty in breathing
• Great pain felt in the affected area.
  

Every minute after the victim sustained the injury is important because it could decide if the victim could regain the sensation in his affected area.

What to do after the accident

• Call the authorities.
• In any situation, it is important to get the victim checked after an accident to be sure of his medical condition. Bystanders may not recognize the symptoms of spinal cord injury so it is important for a professional to check it.
• Get the contact details of the involved party
• Be careful in lifting or removing the victim's body without the paramedics, as his injuries might get much worse.
• Do not let the aggravator leave the scene without the authorities.
  

There are Los Angeles Spinal cord Injury Lawyers that could help the victim and his family to get the best deal possible from the opposing party.

Car crash or even an ordinary slip and fall can cause a person injury that may never be cured. It is important to exercise caution in everything you do for accidents come without warning.

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