Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury is one of the more devastating types of serious personal injury. A part of the vertebrate nervous system, the spinal cord is enclosed within and protected by the vertebral column (backbone). Originating at the inferior end of the medulla oblongata, the spinal cord is responsible for regulating the body's flow of nerve activity below the head. A spinal cord injury is capable of shutting down this nerve flow, leaving the victim physically impaired.
Spinal cord injuries are typically separated into two categories: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury reflects a victim's inability to function below the level of the injury (i.e. paralysis). There is currently no modality through which to treat dead spinal cord tissue. As such, complete spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong impairment of certain nervous system functions. A victim suffering from an incomplete spinal cord injury has some degree of functionality below the primary level of the injury. Victims of incomplete spinal cord injuries are often able to make full recoveries.
Although spinal cord injuries can be attributed to a variety of causes, they are often the result of some type of auto accident (truck, motorcycle or car accident).
Spinal Cord Injury and Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are a leading cause of a variety of back injuries in general (whiplash, lumbar sprains, etc.). When auto accidents result in spinal cord injuries, it is typically the result of one of the following types of trauma:
- Excessive spinal pressure (compression)
- Spinal bruising (contusion)
- Lacerations
Serious spinal cord injuries resulting from auto accidents can lead to significant nerve damage and potentially cause paralysis, muscle dystrophy, autonomic (involuntary nervous system) disturbances and/or loss of reflex function.
Auto accidents are often the result of negligent drivers; however, automobile manufacturer defects are also a leading cause of car accidents. Automobiles are routinely recalled by manufacturers because of widespread defects judged to put drivers at risk. A spinal cord injury that results from automobile manufacturer defects could warrant compensation for the victim. Justice Lawyers are some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers Pensacola, Florida has to offer. Contact the law offices of Justice Lawyers today to get more information about spinal cord injury victims' rights.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury
Practically every voluntary muscle in the body is dependent on the sensory signals and nerve stimulation (motor innervation) of the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury will therefore exhibit certain muscle/nerve-related signs and symptoms alerting the victim to the problem.
Some of the symptoms commonly associated with spinal cord injury include:
- Pain: a spinal cord injury can cause a total loss of pain sensation in the victim, or the sensation of pain occurring in an injury-free part of the body. For example, a spinal cord injury affecting the upper region of the cord could result in the sending of pain signals that suggest the pain is located in the neck or arms. A damaged spinal cord is capable of manifesting pain in parts of the body that are injury-free.
- Numbness / loss of sensation: a spinal cord injury can cause the victim to experience numbness in their limbs and extremities. Similarly, spinal cord injuries are also capable of impeding temperature sensitivity in the skin, making it more difficult for the body to regulate temperature control.
- Loss of Muscle Control: a spinal cord injury can lead to a variety of muscle control problems. Practically every muscle in the body relies upon the spinal cord in order to function correctly. Victims of spinal cord injuries often suffer from bowel / bladder problems related to muscle groups remaining contracted or relaxed.
In addition to the aforementioned primary symptoms associated with spinal cord injury, there are a variety of secondary medical problems that can occur, some of which include:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Muscle spasms
- Infection
The attorneys of the Law Office of Justice Lawyers are personal injury lawyers in Pensacola who protect victims of auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, defective drugs, consumer fraud, insurance fraud, product defects and defective medical devices, such as Guidant and Medtronic Pacemakers, and potentially harmful drugs, such as Ortho Evra. When you think of the top personal injury lawyers or car accident lawyers in Pensacola, think of Justice Lawyers.