One of the most devastating and catastrophic injuries a person can suffer is a back injury that damages the spinal cord. Your back is a major support structure for your body, so any severe damage that compromises this part of the body can leave you permanently impaired and disabled.

Not only are the costs of treating a serious back injury high, but suffering a debilitating injury can also cause a person severe emotional distress. Some people who suffer spinal cord injuries can even develop depression because of their reduced quality of life.

If you or someone you love has suffered such an injury after an accident, our Indianapolis spinal cord injury attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri can help. We fight hard for our clients and are dedicated to helping them recover the high-value settlements they deserve for their pain and suffering.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistic Center (NSCISC), approximately 54 cases per one million people result in a spinal cord injury. Furthermore, around 294,000 people are estimated to be living with spinal cord injuries in the United States each year.

Additional data from the same report linked above shows that car accidents remain one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. However, many other kinds of incidents can lead to these catastrophic injuries, such as slip and fall accidents, sporting accidents, and even surgical errors.

The specific percentages are broken down as follows:

• 38.6% from vehicle accidents
• 32.2% from falls
• 14% from violence
• 7.8% from sporting accidents
• 4.2% from medical issues or surgical errors
• 3.2% from other

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, they will undergo various diagnostic tests and exams to determine the extent of their injury. As the spinal cord is long and made up of various parts, the specific type of spinal cord injury can vary depending on what area of the back was injured. However, most spinal cord injuries will be classified in one of two ways:

1. Incomplete spinal cord injury: This type of spinal cord injury means the damage is partial. With an incomplete spinal cord injury, the victim will still retain partial sensation and mobility in the affected area.
2. Complete spinal cord injury: With this type of spinal injury, the damage is permanent. In other words, a complete spinal cord injury will likely result in some form of paralysis.

In addition to types of spinal cord injury, there are also varying levels of injury based on the specific area that was affected. These spinal cord injury levels are as follows:

• Cervical: This level is the most severe and affects the head and neck region above the shoulders.
• Thoracic: At this level, the upper chest, mid-back, and abdominal muscles are affected. Arm and hand function is typically still normal at this level.
• Lumbar: This level of injury usually results in the need for an assistive device, such as braces or a wheelchair. This is because the hips and legs are affected at this level.
• Sacral: Individuals can usually still walk at this level, but the hips, pelvic region, buttocks, and back of the thighs are affected.

Serious Long-Term Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury

Damage to the spinal cord is typically permanent; as such, long-term treatment goals are all about enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of other health issues. However, in some cases, nerve function can be restored with partial injuries.

The biggest concern with spinal cord injuries is the development of other issues that can result from paralysis and loss of function. Such complications can include:

• Increased risk of heart problems
• Increased risk of lung and breathing problems
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Inability to adequately regulate blood pressure
• Inability to sufficiently regulate body temperature
• Chronic pain
• Sexual dysfunction
• Spasticity and joint contracture

To avoid complications, most people need some form of physical rehab and therapy after sustaining a spinal cord injury. In some cases, therapy and rehab can help restore strength and mobility and help with recovering skills needed for daily living. Still, treatment and therapy will likely be ongoing and necessary for the rest of the injured person’s life.

The Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries

The financial cost of living with a spinal cord injury can vary greatly from one case to the next. It all depends on the person’s situation and the severity of their condition. However, the NSCISC estimates that for someone with high tetraplegia, the lifetime cost can range from $2 million to $5 million, $2 million to $4 million for low tetraplegia, and $1 million to $2.5 million for paraplegia. Other levels are estimated at around $1 million to $1.6 million.

Most people cannot afford these expenses out-of-pocket, and not all costs may be covered by health insurance. As such, personal injury claims are vital in these cases. When you file a claim, you can recover compensation for the damages you have suffered, including current and future medical expenses related to the spinal cord injury.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help

While a personal injury claim can help you recover money for your medical costs and other damages, there is never a guarantee that insurance companies will award you the full amount you deserve, which is why it’s often necessary to work with an attorney.

When you work with a spinal cord injury attorney, they can help investigate your case, obtain evidence to prove what happened, prove the extent of your injury, handle paperwork and negotiations with the other parties involved, and ensure you are awarded the high-value settlement you need and deserve to help cover your medical costs and other damages. They can even help you recover enough so you walk away with money in your pocket.

Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery: Indianapolis Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

If you suffer a catastrophic spinal cord injury as a result of an accident, you deserve to receive the highest amount of compensation to help you recover and move on with your life as comfortably as possible.

At Poynter & Bucheri, our compassionate attorneys are dedicated to helping injured victims seek justice and get the money they need to help cover all injury-related expenses. We understand how traumatizing and debilitating a spinal cord injury can be and are here to help.

Don’t hesitate — one of our experienced personal injury attorneys can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.