New York Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Cataloged as a sensitive injury, spinal cord injuries can bring long-term consequences, affecting the individual and their families. The incapacity of people who get their spinal cord hurt may cause definitive dependence on others, which may cause financial burden and psychological stress.
When a negligent party provokes this catastrophic injury, they are liable for the financial burden it may cause in the present and future. Still, to prove they are liable, you need the advice, help, and representation of a New York spinal cord injury lawyer. Ward Law is committed to assisting people in personal injury lawsuits to recover from damages that a negligent third party may cause.
What is a Spinal Injury?
Spinal injury is one of the most common and terrible types of injury that people can sustain when involved in accidents: trauma to the spinal cord or the structures surrounding it, like vertebrae, discs, ligaments, or nerves.
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue extending from the base of the brain to the vertebral column, or spine. It is a vital part of the central nervous system (CNS) and the brain.
The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain and relaying motor commands from the brain to the rest of the body.
When an accident occurs and you hurt your back, you need to seek medical treatment right away. You should then contact a spinal injury attorney, since there are a lot of things to handle when you are injured. Someone is responsible and needs to pay for all the expenses you will incur.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two types of spinal cord injuries. They depend on the location, severity, and how wide the injury is.
- Complete spinal cord injury
- Incomplete spinal cord injury
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can be further broken down into several subtypes, including the following:
Anterior Cord Syndrome
This injury typically affects the front (anterior) portion of the spinal cord. It predominantly affects the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord and often involves the central portion, including the gray matter and the anterior and lateral white matter.
- In anterior cord syndrome, the front portion of the spinal cord is damaged, typically as a result of trauma or a lack of blood supply to that area.
- This type of injury often leads to significant motor deficits, including paralysis or weakness below the level of the injury.
- Sensory loss typically involves pain and temperature sensation, as the pathways carrying those sensations are disrupted.
- Preservation of light touch and proprioception (the sense of body position) is observed due to intact dorsal columns at the back of the spinal cord.
Central Cord Syndrome
This is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury. It is associated with damage to the large nerve fibers that carry information directly from the brain's cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. Some facts about central cord syndrome:
- Central cord syndrome is commonly associated with hyperextension injuries, such as those caused by falls or motor vehicle accidents.
- This type of injury results in greater impairment in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities.
- Weakness or paralysis in the arms is a prominent feature, while leg function may be less affected.
- Sensory loss and bladder or bowel dysfunction can also occur, although they may vary in severity.
Brown-Séquard Syndrome
This type of incomplete spinal cord injury is a very rare neurological condition. The prognosis for individuals with Brown-Séquard syndrome varies depending on the cause of the disorder. Facts regarding this syndrome:
- Brown-Séquard syndrome is characterized by damage to one side (hemisection) of the spinal cord.
- It often occurs as a result of penetrating injuries, like stab or gunshot wounds.
- The symptoms typically include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side.
- Light touch and proprioception are usually preserved on the same side as the injury.
Posterior Cord Syndrome
Trauma is not typically the cause of this type of incomplete spinal cord injury; however, for the sake of covering all the possible types of spinal cord injuries, here are some facts about it.
- Posterior cord syndrome is a relatively rare type of injury where the back portion of the spinal cord is affected.
- Tumors, infections, or vascular problems typically cause it.
- The main features of posterior cord syndrome are the loss of proprioception (sense of body position) and fine touch sensation below the level of the injury.
- Motor function, pain, and temperature sensation, which rely on other pathways, are often preserved.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
This is a severe type of injury that causes total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. When the spinal cord is severely damaged, it interrupts communication between the brain and the body below the injury site.
People with this classification of injury typically experience complete paralysis, known as paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the level of the injury. It can run from the neck down or from the hips down. People cannot perceive touch, temperature, pain, and other sensory stimuli in the affected areas of the body.
In addition, individuals who suffer a complete spinal cord injury may have impaired autonomic functions of the body. That means the body cannot control or properly regulate blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and bladder and bowel control.
All of this means the injured person will need to be constantly monitored by a medical professional and rely on medication, therapy, and rehabilitation programs along with lifestyle modifications. That implies both an economic and a psychological burden.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
This classification refers to partial damage to the spinal cord, allowing some degree of sensory and/or motor function to be preserved below the level of the injury.
The main difference between this type of spinal cord injury and a complete spinal cord injury is that the injured person may retain varying levels of sensation and movement below the injury site. That means they are not as dependent on others, even though they will still need medical attention, monitoring, and rehabilitation programs to improve.
Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are known to lead to other health, economic, and social consequences. They are associated with developing secondary conditions that can be debilitating and even life-threatening.
Just to mention a few examples of health problems that a person might develop after a spinal cord injury: deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections, muscle spasms, osteoporosis, pressure ulcers, chronic pain, and respiratory complications.
When a person is dependent on others, that implies a financial impact, since they will be required to pay for caregivers and assistive technology to facilitate mobility and communication.
Also, living with these limitations can prevent people from being able to work, and if they are children, they most likely won't be able to attend school. If they do, they are less likely to advance. Not to mention that a school for children with special needs is two to three times more expensive than a regular school.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents are common causes of these injuries. Negligent acts by others can cause accidents. Examples include reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, being distracted, and not following traffic signals.
Slip & Fall Accidents
People can suffer spinal cord injuries from falling from heights. This includes slipping and falling from ladders, stairs, or uneven surfaces. Contributing factors, such as the negligence of property owners in maintaining secure premises, can lead to an injury that may last for the rest of a person's life.
Work-Related Accidents
Certain occupations, such as construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation, law enforcement, and security, are prone to this and other types of severe injury.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Participation in sports or recreational activities, particularly those with a higher risk of impact or collision, can result in spinal cord injuries. Negligence may occur if proper safety measures, equipment, or supervision are not provided, or if participants are allowed to engage in reckless behavior.
What Damages Can I Recover From a Spinal Cord Injury?
We have discussed what a spinal cord injury is, the different types that exist, and its causes and consequences. Understanding all of this is important, because it shows this is a serious issue that must be addressed with caution and professionalism.
Since this injury may lead to long-term consequences that could keep you from doing activities you once enjoyed, we are committed to pursuing, in addition to regular economic compensation, non-economic damages on your behalf.
We are experienced and respected spinal injury attorneys from New York. We are here to help you overcome these difficult times.
Contact a Spinal Injury Lawyer in New York for Help
Being hurt is not a laughing matter. You are stressed by the pain, you may have to deal with emotional distress too, and your family may be having a hard time. A New York spinal cord injury lawyer who is an expert on the matter will help you through it.
We understand the pain you may be experiencing and assure you that you will have the best professional representation anyone can get in New York City. Ward Law has over 25 years of experience dealing with these traumatic injuries. We are committed to providing you with five-star service, and all of our past clients will back up what we say.
Call a Manhattan spinal cord injury lawyer for a free consultation on your case at 855-DOLOR-55.
