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The human body is mysterious and complex, containing numerous systems that work in ways science is yet to fully understand. The central nervous system (CNS), comprising the brain and spinal cord, is one of those systems, and it is responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information.
As the communication center of the body, the CNS is critically important to myriad functions. Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt the transmission of signals and result in a range of effects that have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are not uncommon in especially traumatic accidents.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by someone else, you may be facing life-changing consequences. You may need extensive medical treatments, including surgery, therapies, and long-term medical care; you may be unable to return to work, suffer permanent disabilities or even paralysis. That’s a high price to pay for an accident you didn’t cause. Fortunately, you do have legal recourse.
You may be eligible to pursue compensation for your catastrophic injury through a spinal cord injury lawsuit. This article will explain everything you need to know about spinal cord injuries in Missouri, including common causes, symptoms, and effects, as well as how a spinal cord injury attorney may be able to help you secure a fair settlement.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a long, tubular structure made of nervous tissue that is housed within the spinal column and extends from the brainstem down the back. When the spinal cord is damaged, it disrupts communication between the brain and rest of the body, resulting in many negative effects.
Spinal cord injuries are typically classified as complete or incomplete. Whereas a complete spinal cord injury refers to a total loss of sensory and motor function below the point of injury, an incomplete injury does not result in paralysis and may allow an individual to retain some movement and function.
Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms
The spinal cord injury symptoms an individual experiences depends on whether they have suffered complete or incomplete spinal damage. Although incomplete injuries do not necessarily result in paralysis, either type of spinal cord injury can result in the following:
- Loss of movement
- Spasms or exaggerated reflexes
- Loss of sensation or a change in sensation, including the ability to feel hot and cold temperatures and touch
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Changes in sexual function and fertility
- Painful, stinging sensations caused by nerve fiber damage
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, and clearing the lungs
The above-listed symptoms may persist long after the spinal cord injury first occurred, and while debilitating, don’t necessarily require emergency treatment. Conversely, the following post-accident symptoms require immediate emergency care:
- Extreme back pain
- Intense pressure in the neck, head, or back
- Weakness and loss of coordination in any part of the body
- Numbness, loss of feeling, and tingling sensations in the extremities
- Loss of certain bodily functions, including bowel or bladder control
- Trouble balancing, walking, or breathing directly after an accident
- A twisted back or neck
Even if you suspect your injuries are minor, you should always see a doctor after being involved in a serious accident. An emergency medical assessment can help identify any damage that’s been done to the spinal cord damage and intervene before it gets worse.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Although many different types of accidents can damage the spinal cord, a few are much more likely to result in this devastating injury. The two most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. are motor vehicle accidents (including truck wrecks, motorcycle accidents, and car accidents) and serious falls, but acts of violence, sports injuries, medical injuries, industrial accidents also cause more than their fair share of injuries.
Additionally, some people are more likely than others to suffer spinal cord injuries, including young adults (people between 16 and 30) and seniors (those over the age of 65). Other risk factors include alcohol use, lack of safety gear (in situations that require it), and certain types of diseases.
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A former insurance defense lawyer, personal injury attorney Tom Wilmowski prides himself on using his inside knowledge of the insurance industry to obtain maximum value — and often more — for his clients.
Securing Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury
If your spinal cord injury occurred in an accident caused by someone else, you may be able to pursue compensation through a spinal cord injury claim. Doing so, however, requires injury victims to go through a multistep process that can be challenging without help from a dedicated personal injury attorney.
A dedicated spinal cord injury lawyer will begin by gathering and analyzing evidence, including accident reports, medical records, eyewitness testimony, and more. After reviewing the evidence, your attorney will help you pinpoint the at-fault party in your accident. Next, they will begin calculating your damages, including your economic and non-economic losses, in order to draft a settlement demand letter.
If the at-fault party agrees to the proposed settlement, you will be able to secure compensation without ever going to court. If not, your attorney can start preparing your injury case for trial, performing a variety of critical tasks along the way. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or finding expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, your attorney will take charge of every necessary step in the lawsuit process.
Tom Wilmowski: Top Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in St. Louis
Few accident injuries are as traumatic as spinal cord injuries. If you or a loved one is struggling to recover from this devastating injury, it’s important to know you don’t have to do it alone. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers are here to help you every step of the way. Ready to secure the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim? Contact Tom Wilmowski to speak with a compassionate legal professional from our law firm in a free consultation.
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