Living with a Spinal Cord Injury | Phillips Law Group

June 28, 2018

Thousands of Americans suffer spinal cord injuries each year, leaving them with a variety of physical limitations that can affect them for the rest of their lives. While most people know these injuries can cause disability and even paralysis, they are often unfamiliar with the variety of other problems that are caused by spinal cord injuries.

If you or a loved one sustained an injury to the spinal cord, it is important to contact a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer at Phillips Law Group for help. We can answer all the questions you have about pursuing a legal claim for the accident and recovering compensation.

Complete and Incomplete Injuries

There are two primary types of injuries to the spinal cord: complete and incomplete. An incomplete spinal cord injury involves some movement or sensation in the body beyond the injury. In these situations, the spinal cord is only partially severed, allowing the patient to regain some function. Paralysis from this damage may remain only temporary, but if the damage is severe, the patient may lose function or mobility in one or more limbs.

In a complete injury, the spinal cord is fully severed, eliminating any function below the neck. The patient experiences no sensation or movement at all in the affected areas. This type of injury leads to permanent paralysis of one to all four limbs. However, through continued treatment and physical therapy, it may be possible to regain some function.

Complications from a Spinal Cord Injury

The damage to the spine may result in serious complications that include:

Bowel Function

When the bowels cease to function properly from spinal cord damage, the patient may start a program for daily bowel performance. This involves scheduling suppositories, digital stimulation of the bowels, manually emptying the bowels and mini-enemas. This usually requires home assistance for someone with paralysis of the lower body.

Depression

Either from the injuries or the change in life circumstances, spinal cord injury victims may suffer from depression. This condition changes moods, alters thoughts and can decrease the quality of life. The individual can become trapped in depression when trying to grasp all of the life changes the injury has caused them.

For many people, working is an integral part of their identity. Many spinal cord injuries render victims unable to return to work, which can cause them to suffer further depression.

Bed Sores

Extensive time in one position can lead to the development of bed sores. Without assistance, the person may remain in bed in one position so long that the skin suffers damage.

Movement is necessary to prevent further damage to the body. This includes placing pillows underneath the person’s body in order to move his or her position and alleviate pressure points.

Contact a Lawyer for Assistance

When facing spinal cord injuries from an accident, contact our experienced legal team at Phillips Law Group to discuss the legal options available to you. We can determine if you may have a valid claim against a negligent party who contributed to your accident. We can also identify all avenues of recovery, including filing a workers’ compensation or Social Security claim.

We charge no upfront fees, so there is no risk to you in contacting us to learn about your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay for our legal services if we help you receive compensation for your spinal cord injury.

Complete aFree Case Evaluation formtoday or call us at 1-800-706-3000 .