Few injuries are more frightening or potentially life-changing than a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is central to the functioning of most of the body and any damage can affect many different abilities. While the prognosis from one spinal cord injury victim to another can vary widely, many spinal cord injuries result in lasting effects that require a lifetime of medical care. This also means that this type of catastrophic injury can also result in a lifetime of medical expenses.
Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury
If emergency medical personnel suspect you have injured your spine, they should transport you in an ambulance for emergency trauma care at a hospital or medical center. The sooner a spinal cord is stabilized, often the fewer complications may arise. On the other hand, if you move around or do not receive immediate care, you can cause further damage to the spine and suffer greater effects of the injury.
Often, spinal cord injuries require a period of hospitalization, which allows doctors to monitor your abilities and the scope of your symptoms. In cases of incomplete spinal cord injuries, symptoms may clear up over time and with rehabilitative treatment. However, victims of complete spinal cord injuries often experience permanent effects.
Some permanent impairments can include:
- Loss of sensation
- Loss of movement (paralysis)
- Loss of bladder or bowel functioning
- Loss of sexual functioning
- Loss of lung functioning
These impairments can affect the parts of the body below the point of injury, as the injury cuts of communication with the lower parts of the body. Lower spinal injuries can affect the pelvis and legs while upper spinal injuries can affect the arms, torso, and legs.
If a spinal cord injury results in permanent paralysis, a victim will need to use a wheelchair or similar assistance to get around. Some victims may require breathing assistance and other support for organs that have stopped functioning. All of this medical equipment can be costly and must be regularly maintained or replaced. In addition, spinal cord injury victims often need to visit their specialists regularly, participate in rehabilitative therapy, and may even require home health care.
All of these costs can continue for the length of a person’s life and can easily rise into the millions of dollars. It is reported that a 25-year-old who suffers from high tetraplegia due to a spinal cord injury can spend more than $4,700,000 over her lifetime. If any motor function is disrupted, the lifetime cost can still be over $1,500,000.
Our Norwich Personal Injury Law Firm is Here to Help
If you suffered a spinal injury in an accident caused by someone else, you have the right to seek compensation for all your losses—including future expenses. You need the right attorney who has experience handling cases involving catastrophic injuries to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve. Call the Connecticut law firm of Polito & Harrington at 860-447-3300 or contact us online to discuss your situation for free.