Spinal Cord Injury Information

11,000 people fall victim to a spinal cord injury annually. Most of these injuries are caused from auto and sports accidents, falls, and industrial mishaps, disease, and physical violence. Spinal cord injuries occur when trauma to the head neck or back causes damage to the spinal cord. This could result in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling.

The spinal cord extends from the brain to the pelvic region, contains thousands of nerves, and is responsible for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body. When a spinal cord injury accident occurs, communication between the brain and some parts of the body can be damaged or destroyed. Depending on the part of the spinal cord that is damaged, a person can lose sensation and functioning of certain portions of the body temporarily or permanently.

Quadriplegia occurs when there is damage to the upper portions of the spinal cord and involves paralysis that can affect all four extremities and most, or all, of the trunk. Paraplegia occurs when there is damage to lower portions of the spinal cord. They can develop paraplegia paralysis in the lower extremities and part, or all, of the trunk.

In a spinal cord injury, a person may lose the ability to control bowel and bladder functioning, may experience sexual dysfunction, and may even not be able to breathe on their own. Paralysis from a spinal cord injury can be complete or incomplete. Complete paralysis means that all functioning and sensation in the affected areas has been lost. Incomplete paralysis means that some functioning and feeling in the affected areas may remain.

There are several common types of spinal cord injury accident causes. Half of all spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Other spinal cord injuries are caused in sports accidents, because of some medical conditions, a slip and fall accident, physical violence, and firearms victims.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a spinal cord injury, contact our service today. We can help put you in touch with experienced spinal cord injury attorneys in your area who can consult you about your rights and options in recovering what you have lost as a result of a spinal cord injury.