There are millions of nerve fibers within the human spine. Each of these fibers transmits info between the brain and body. Any trauma to any part of the spinal cord can cause an injury, ranging from minor to life-ending. Read on to learn the basics of spinal cord injuries and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require the help of a personal injury attorney.
The More Severe the Injury is the Larger the Damages Are Likely to Be
Generally speaking, the more severe the injury is, the higher the compensation a person will be entitled to because their damages will have been greater. There are a few different types of spinal cord injury including:
- Anterior Cord Syndrome. This involves the artery that runs along the front of the spinal cord. If it is damaged or not receiving blood flow for another reason, it can result in total loss of muscle strength below the place of damage. With this type of injury, the victim generally is still sensitive in the paralyzed parts of their body, but they cannot tell temperature or pain.
- Posterior Cord Syndrome. This is a very rare injury that involves the loss of a person’s ability to perceive where their body parts are positioned under the injury.
- Complete Cord Injuries. When the spinal cord is entirely severed, the most significant impacts will be felt. At this point, the location of the injury is important. If the location was the lower back, that partial paralysis below that point could occur. If the injury is closer to the neck, then a person could be paralyzed everywhere but the head and neck.
These are just a few examples of the types of serious injuries a person can experience if an accident involves their spinal cord.
How Damages Are Determined in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
When we sue the at-fault party for your spinal cord injury, we will bring in medical experts who can go over your specific injury and determine the appropriate damages to offer. This might include future medical costs, past medical costs, the cost of physical therapy, necessary modifications to your home or vehicle, nursing home services, cleaning services, and other household services, loss of income, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering.
One expert has found that the average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury starts at $700,000 and goes up to $3 million, depending on how serious the injury was and the age of the victim at the time of the accident. A younger victim will generally have a longer life expectancy than an older victim, which might mean higher damages paid.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury and want to hold the at-fault party responsible, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.