Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Not only can spinal cord injuries result in permanent paralysis, but they can also stack up medical bills with various complications. Learning about some of the most common long-term effects of spinal cord injuries might help you better prepare. You may not have to pay for all your medical expenses if you can prove that negligence caused your injury. Talk to a Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney to find out more.
Spinal Cord Injury Basics
Spinal cord injuries occur when the vertebrae of the spine become fractured, or the spinal cord is twisted and bent unnaturally. The sensitivity of the spinal cord to damage is what makes spinal cord injuries so common with vertebrae fractures. All it takes is one fragment of vertebrae to puncture the spinal cord.
The two main types of spinal cord injuries are complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries mean the spinal cord is completely severed. This leaves a complete loss of sensation and movement below the severed area. Incomplete spinal cord injuries involve only partial severance. Some functionality may still be retained.
You might know you have a spinal cord injury if you experience serious back pain with the following symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Partial loss of movement in the fingers or toes
- Coordination problems
- Difficulty breathing
- A sense of weakness in the arms or legs
Some people also experience lost bladder and bowel control, muscle spasms, and increasing pressure in the back. Call 911 and immobilize your back if you experience any of these symptoms together. Keeping your back in the same position as the injury may reduce the chances of further spinal cord damage.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
The loss of sensation and movement below the damage site are not the only long-term effects people may experience. Other spinal cord injury complications involve:
- Permanent loss of bladder and bowel control
- Inability to breathe without assistive devices
- Loss of speech
- Chronic pain in the legs, back, or other body parts
- Pressure ulcers and bedsores
- Autonomic dysreflexia that can be life-threatening
- Sexual dysfunction
- Muscle reflexes
- Problems with blood circulation
Going through so many life changes at once can also lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. These are sometimes lifelong battles that can radically alter a person’s enjoyment and outlook on life. The worst part about spinal cord injuries is their lifelong complications. Some spinal cord injuries do not improve with treatment.
If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Try contacting a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to see what your options are for suing.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles
Spinal cord injuries can cost thousands of dollars in damages. You may not have to pay for these damages yourself. Start by contacting the Law Offices of Jennie Levin at (323) 951-1188 to talk to a California personal injury attorney for a free consultation about your claim. Our legal team might be able to help you obtain compensation for your lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and ongoing medical bills. We are located in Los Angeles, California.
