Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord resulting in a loss of motor and/or sensory function. Causes can be trauma from an auto/truck accident, falls such as from a construction site, gunshot wounds, etc; or diseases such as polio, spina bifida, degenerative diseases, etc. The spinal cord need not be severed in order to lose sensation or function. In fact, the spinal cord is intact in most people with loss of function from spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury is very different from back injuries such as ruptured disks or pinched nerves, for which there is current medical therapy. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves within the spinal column that carries nerve impulses to and from the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is surrounded by spine bones called vertebra. These bones constitute the spinal column. In general, the higher in the spinal column the injury occurs, the more dysfunction is likely to occur. The vertebrae in the neck make up the cervical spine. Cervical spinal cord injuries usually cause loss of motor and sensory function in the arms and legs, resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia. The vertebrae that run the length of the chest are called the thoracic spine. Thoracic cord injuries usually cause loss of motor and sensory function in the chest and the legs, resulting in paraplegia. The vertebra in the area between the low rib and the pelvis is called the lumbar spine. The sacral vertebrae run from the pelvis to the end of the spinal column. Injuries to the lumbar and sacral spine generally result in some loss of functioning in the hips and legs.
There are many other types of sensory or motor function disabilities that may result from a spinal cord injury. These may include loss of bowel and/or bladder function, sexual dysfunction, fertility in men, loss of the ability to breathe, chronic pain and many other injuries.
The effects of spinal cord injuries depend on the location (level) and severity of the injury to the spinal cord. Generally, spinal cord injuries are of two types: complete and incomplete. A complete injury means there is no sensation or voluntary motor function below the level of the injury on either side. An incomplete injury means that there is some sensory or motor function below the level of spinal injury. This can range from some feeling to being able to function at a relatively normal level. The affect an incomplete spinal cord injury will have on a person is largely dependent on what activities they participated in before the injury.there is current medical therapy.If you have a spinal cord injury resulting from the negligence of another, you want experienced attorneys who understand your injury and who have the resources to handle the case efficiently and appropriately. The attorneys of DOYLE LAW understand spinal cord injuries. We have worked with the finest neurology and neurosurgical experts in the United States. We have litigated many spinal cord injury cases including those arising out of hypotensive ischemic insult, trauma from car accidents and falls, degenerative changes, surgical mishaps and other medical failures.[vc_column_text]Yes. DOYLE LAW is a national law firm. We represent clients in catastrophic injury cases across the country. Our lawyers are licensed to practice in California, New York, Florida, and the District of Columbia. The attorneys of DOYLE LAW will obtain admission in any state where our technical expertise and trial experience can make a difference subject to the rules of each jurisdiction. The laws of personal injury vary in each state. In addition, there are time limits (statute of limitations) within which you must file any legal action. If you do not file legal action within the statute of limitations in your state, you may forfeit your right to recover damages. If you believe you have a claim, do not wait. Seek professional advice immediately.
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