Nerve Damage From a Spinal Cord Injury: Compensation Available

Nerve damage resulting from a spinal cord injury can have severe consequences. When a spinal cord is injured in an accident it can be severed, jarred by a blunt instrument or compressed due to broken bones, swelling or bleeding. A spinal cord injury almost always results in paralysis below the site of the injury. If the injury is middle of back the arms will still function but the legs will be paralyzed and muscle control lost. Reflex movements not controlled by the brain remain intact below the injury site. Paralysis may be partial or total and may be temporary or permanent. An injury that severs the spinal cord or destroys nerve pathways will be a permanent injury. In any event, if function is not regained within six months of the injury the paralysis is likely permanent.

Common Complications and Related Problems

People who have suffered a spinal cord injury may be weak and paralyzed causing them to be at risk for bedsores, urinary tract infections and pneumonia. They can become psychologically devastated, depressed, and suffer lack of self esteem. They need physical and emotional therapy to help maintain muscles and to help them to deal with coping with the injury and adjusting to a new life style. They can benefit from psychological counseling and family members caring for the injured person can also benefit from psychological counseling. A successful personal injury liability case will afford damages to cover all of the medical and emotional treatments needed to address the spinal cord injury and related costs. Often the injured person’s home will need to be altered with handicapped access ramps and special sleeping and eating equipment. Sometime the injured person will be able to drive a specially equipped vehicle when he is ready to care for himself. All of these types of costs would be considered recoverable financial damages in a successful personal injury lawsuit. The damages in a successful spinal cord injury lawsuit would be extremely substantial if awarded. The injured person’s medical and financial needs past, present and future would likely be carefully calculated and awarded as indicated.

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family has suffered a spinal cord injury it would be important to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss the circumstances of the accident and the resultant spinal cord injury. An attorney can provide important guidance and assistance in taking steps to protect the injured person’s rights and interests.

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