Client: Colling, Gilbert, Wright & Carter
Copyright 2008 Colling, Gilbert, Wright & Carter
Spinal Cord Injury Questions
In Orlando, Florida
1. What is a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury is the result of damage to the nerves in the spinal canal. Most of these injuries are caused by some sort of trauma to the vertebrae in the spine. This effects the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is the central nerve function of the body that controls motor, sensory and automatic function in the body.
2. How common are spinal cord injuries and what are the most common causes?
Approximately 450,000 spinal cord injuries have occurred in the United States. More than 10,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year. Motor vehicle accidents account for 44% of spinal cord injuries every year. Acts of violence account for 24%, falls are 22%, sports injuries are 8%. The remaining 2% are from other causes.
3. What is the difference between a complete and an incomplete spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries fall under one of two classifications. They are either complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury is present when nerve damage obstructs every brain signal to the parts of the body below the injury site. An incomplete injury occurs when some motor and sensory function still remains below the level of the injury site.
4. What are the signs of a spinal cord injury?
There are several signs that a person has suffered a spinal cord injury. These include:
� Extreme pain or pressure in the head, neck or back
� Tingling or loss of feeling in the hands, fingers, feet or toes
� Difficulty in balancing or walking
� Impaired breathing after the injury
� Partial or complete loss of control over any part of the body
� Urinary or bowel urgency, retention or incontinence
� Abnormal pain and pressure sensations in the trunk of the body
� Unusual lumps on the head or spine
5. What treatments are available for spinal cord injury sufferers?
Currently there is no cure for a spinal cord injury. Ongoing research testing surgery and drug therapies are progressing every day. Treatments such as drugs to prevent injury progression, drug therapies, decompression surgery, nerve cell transplantation and nerve generation are being tested as possible methods to overcome the detrimental effects of spinal cord injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury and you feel that you may be entitled to compensation, please contact the law offices of Colling, Gilbert, Wright and Carter today to schedule a free consultation.