Spinal Injury Claims

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries: Causes and Impacts

Spinal cord injuries have severe effects on individuals and their families. Each year, approximately 17,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury, and about one-third of these individuals die due to their injuries.

Spinal cord injuries result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column or the spinal cord itself. A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more vertebrae, or from a wound that penetrates and cuts the spinal cord. Additional damage often occurs over days or weeks due to bleeding, swelling, inflammation, and fluid accumulation in and around the spinal cord. Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

1. 1.Motor vehicle crashes account for about 35 percent.
2. 2.Falls account for more than one-quarter of spinal cord injuries.
3. 3.Sports and recreational injuries account for about 9 percent.

A spinal cord injury may cause paraplegia (paralysis of the legs), while a neck injury may cause quadriplegia (paralysis of arms and legs). People who survive spinal cord injuries require years of specialized medical care and assistance, costing millions of dollars. In addition to the physical challenges, spinal cord injuries can cause significant changes to a person’s life and overall well-being.