Long-Term Effects Of A Spinal Cord Injury
One of the worst back and spine injuries that a person can suffer in an accident is an injury to the spinal cord. In many cases, a spinal cord injury results in paralysis, but there are other long-term effects of a spinal cord injury that must be considered when filing a personal injury claim. The knowledgeable Nashville personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates understand the complexities and long-term effects of a spinal cord injury and will zealously advocate for the compensation that you or your loved one deserves after an accident. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Compounded Effects of Quadriplegia and Paraplegia
When a spinal cord injury results in paralysis, the victim is identified as either a quadriplegic or paraplegic depending on the location of the injury on the spinal cord. A paraplegic loses movement in their lower extremities, while a quadriplegic loses movement in all four extremities. In addition to the paralysis, however, there are also other compounded effects from spinal cord damage. Depending on the location of the injury, an accident victim can also require assistance with breathing, bladder function, and bowel function. The loss of movement also means an immediate need for medical devices like a wheelchair or other assistive devices. Depending on the type and severity of spinal cord injury, financial expenses can be upwards of $1,000,000 in the first year and tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in each subsequent year for care.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to the immediate effects and concerns of a spinal cord injury after an accident, there are also long-term effects that must be taken into consideration. Because of the immobilized nature of many spinal cord victims, bladder infections and kidney stones are more likely. Osteoporosis of the affected extremities is another long-term concern, which can then lead to broken bones and other serious harm. Muscle spasticity and syringomyelia, or a numbness and weakness in the extremities, is another serious long-term concern.
Chronic complications to spinal cord injuries can also impair a victim’s independence and quality of life. Depending on the type of spinal cord injury, this can include respiratory problems, cardiovascular complications, pressure ulcers or bedsores, and pain syndromes in addition to the other long-term effects of this type of injury. An experienced personal injury lawyer can explain how these immediate and long-term issues are incorporated into a claim for compensation after a spinal cord injury caused by an accident.
Call or Contact Mitch Grissim & Associates Today
Spinal cord injuries are often devastating for victims and their loved ones, but this is not a situation that you have to go through alone. If you or someone that you know has suffered a spinal cord injury in the Nashville area, the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your claims now.
Resource:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303787/#:~:text=In%20this%20paper%2C%20we%20review,ulcers%2C%20osteoporosis%20and%20bone%20fractures.
