Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
A person’s spinal cord is the tubular bundle of nerves that runs from the brainstem to the bottom of his or her back. When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, it usually classified as complete or incomplete, and the effects can be extremely long-lasting.
Did you or your loved one suffer a spinal cord injury because of another party’s negligence in California? You will want to immediately contact the Los Angeles Injury Group. Call (310) 954-7248 right now to have our Los Angeles personal injury attorney provide a complete evaluation of your case.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury involves permanent damage to a specific area of the spinal cord and a complete loss of function. Incomplete spinal cord injuries involve partial damage to the spinal cord resulting in some feeling or movement being retained.
Certain parts of the body are affected by injuries to particular spinal cord regions:
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries — Injuries involving the seven vertebrae (C1 – C7) in the neck are among the most severe, involving possible tetraplegia or quadriplegia and loss of feeling or movement below the shoulders and neck.
- Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries — Injuries to the five vertebrae (L1-L5) below the thoracic section can result in loss of function in the hips and legs without affecting the upper body
- Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries — Injuries to the 12 vertebrae are located in the thoracic spine (T1-T12) can have varying effects, depending on the specific section of nerves affected. Damage to T1 through T5 nerves may allow for normal arm and hand function, but injuries to T6 through T12 nerves can result in inability to control bowel movements. Paraplegia commonly results from injuries to any thoracic vertebrae.
- Sacral Spinal Cord Injuries — Injuries to the five bones (S1-S5) can affect the hip and leg regions, including ability to manage bowels. Many victims are able to walk again.
In many cases, spinal cord injuries have a profound impact on every aspect of a victim’s life. In addition to frequent inability to return to work or any other gainful employment, many victims can also require full-time assistance with many other basic household needs.
Spinal cord injuries are often the result of sudden trauma to victims, with motor vehicle accidents being an especially common cause. Negligent parties in these cases may be liable for the full lifetime of care many spinal cord injury victims can require.
Find a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in California
If you or your loved one suffered a spinal cord injury because of another party’s negligence in California, you could be entitled to damages for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. You should contact the Los Angeles Injury Group as soon as possible to discuss all of your legal options.
Our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney can investigate the cause of your injury and work to make sure the negligent party is held fully accountable. You can have our firm review your case and answer all of your legal questions when you call (310) 954-7248 or contact us online.