Spine Injury

A spine injury, like a brain injury, can cause permanent disability. In both cases, our nervous system is affected badly, which means we can sustain loss of both movement and sensation.

The spinal cord

The spinal cord consists of many major nerves which carry both motor and sensory information. They run inside the vertebrae, the bones of the spine, which are hollow, and which also have apertures on each side. Through these openings, the spinal nerves run from the spinal cord itself out into the rest of the nervous system. There are 31 pairs of these spinal nerves.

In between the vertebrae are cartilage pads which cushion the bones from each other, preventing them from rubbing and causing pain. When the vertebrae are damaged, or these cartilage pads in between them, the delicate nerves are easily damaged also, by being torn, stretched, compressed, or even severed clear through.

When the spinal nerves are damaged …

… that means information can’t be transmitted normally between the brain and the rest of the body. If it’s sensory information that’s blocked, we experience numbness and lack of sensitivity to heat, cold, texture, etc. If it’s motor information, we experience paralysis.

When the nerves damaged are motor nerves, and when they’re near the top of the spine, more of the body will be affected. So if the top-most spinal nerves are hurt, quadriplegia can result, i.e., paralysis of the body from the neck down. If the injured motor nerves are lower on the spine, paraplegia can result, i.e., paralysis from the waist area down.

In some cases, loss of movement means loss of the ability to breathe, and then the person must be on a respirator, which will automatically breathe for him.

Treatment

Sometimes surgery can repair the damage and restore full sensation and movement. Surgery can be followed up by intensive nursing care, and then gradually physical therapy can be added, or respiratory therapy. Occupational therapy can help restore hand movement, eye movement, and hand-eye coordination, as well as other activities.

Other times though, such as when nerves are completely severed, surgery can’t repair the damage, and permanent disability is the painful result.

A personal injury lawyer has experience with the aftermath of spinal injuries. We know how catastrophic it can be, both for the injured person and for the family. Why not let us help you deal with it?

We can examine the circumstances of the accident which caused this injury, and determine what sort of compensation you may be entitled to. Our medical experts can estimate future medical costs based on their assessment of the extent of the injury. If we can build a case for you that’s strong and well supported, you can potentially be compensated for:

• Medical costs

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of consortium (if it was a spouse injured)

• Loss of support (if it was a parent injured)

• Lost wages, present and future

Here’s a link to some more information on severe injuries.

Severe Injury FAQs