A spinal cord injury is an injury in which damage is done to your spinal cord. The results can be truly devastating. These injuries can be caused by a long list of things. While car accidents are the most common cause, they are not the only cause. Read on to find out how medical errors can lead to debilitating spinal cord injuries. Then reach out to The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you need a free legal consultation.
The long-term consequences of a spinal cord injury can vary in severity
In some cases, the consequences of an injury to the spinal cord can be relatively minor. They can heal within a few days or weeks with no long-term consequences. Unfortunately, that is often not the case. More commonly, a spinal cord accident will alter the victim’s life. In the worst cases, a caregiver will be required to perform daily functions for the affected person.
Preventable medical errors can cause spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by traumatic accidents other than car accidents, such as sports injuries, an accident on horseback, or a serious fall. They can also be caused by entirely preventable medical errors. If you have suffered as a result of a medical error then you need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
When we say that preventable medical errors can cause damage to the spinal cord, there are many types of errors. For example, a doctor may not diagnose a tumor early enough to prevent damage to the spinal cord, despite evidence that should not have been missed. A surgeon can make a mistake during orthopedic surgery that leads to an injury to the spinal cord.
A surgeon can also make mistakes that cause a hematoma after surgery to the back or neck. Doctors may not detect infections in the spinal cord or abscesses between the spinal cord and the bone. Another potential medical errors that can lead to these issues is an error in anesthesia, which can lead to permanent nerve damage and, in the worst-case scenario, even total paralysis.
The long-term outlook for spinal cord injuries
The long-term effects of spinal cord injuries will depend on the specifics of the medical error. In some cases, paraplegia could occur. This happens if the victim’s spinal cord is damaged in the middle or lower region and results in the loss of movement in the lower limbs. Quadriplegia is another option, and it is the result of the upper spinal cord being damaged. It can lead to total loss of movement in both upper and lower extremities.
If you have suffered from damage to your spinal cord due to an error your doctor or surgeon made then you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. To find out what your options are, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
