Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Columbia, SC

Catastrophic Injuries That Can Lead to Paralysis

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most catastrophic injuries that victims can suffer from, particularly since these injuries can leave individuals paralyzed or in other very serious conditions. Paralysis can be temporary, or they can last for a life-time, drastically altering the quality of the victim's life. Spinal cord injuries are usually caused by major blows to the spine that lead to dislocated or fractured vertebrae. Very serious injuries to the back and neck are usually those that affect the spine. These types of injuries can be received through various types of accidents, such as bad falls and serious auto accidents. Individuals who are treated for these types of injuries often have to undergo expensive medical procedures, such as surgeries. Long-term medical care and accommodations for individuals who are paralyzed can also become very costly.

When a victim has been injured in this way due to the negligent actions of another person, that victim should not be forced to pay the financial repercussions. It is possible for the person who was harmed to hold the responsible party accountable and to receive monetary compensation for the damages that were suffered. If you or a loved one received a spinal cord injury in or around Columbia, South Carolina, our law firm can assist you. We have a capable Columbia personal injury attorney who can aggressively fight for your rights to fair payment through a claim or lawsuit.

How Spinal Cord Injuries Affect the Body

When a person receives a spinal cord injury, the damage begins immediately, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). In more extreme cases (which are much rarer), the spinal cord can be completely severed. More typically, however, the vertebrae instead suffer from fractures or compression, which can cause damage to the nerves and spinal cord tissue surrounding the spine. This can prevent the spinal cord from transmitting signals between the brain and other parts of the body.

When a victim still has some level of motor and sensory function below the point of impact, the spinal cord injury is considered "incomplete." When there is no such function below that point, it is considered "complete." Spinal cord injuries can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia. Paraplegia is complete paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs. Quadriplegia is complete paralysis from the neck down, affecting all four limbs. Other medical complications that spinal cord injury victims can suffer from include bladder and bowel dysfunction, chronic pain and higher vulnerability to heart and respiratory problems, according to NINDS.

There is a broad spectrum of accidents that can cause spinal cord injuries. Since 2010, 36.5% of these injuries have been caused by vehicular accidents, 28.5% caused by falls, 14.3% caused by violence, 9.2% caused by sports and 11.4% by other causes or unknown causes. This information is taken from data provided by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC).

Columbia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Helping You Take Action

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your injury, if you someone else's negligence caused it, you are entitled to take action against the responsible party. This might be a drunk or negligent driver, a store owner who allowed hazards on his or her premises, or an employer who allowed for an unsafe work environment. Our skilled attorney can help you file an insurance claim for compensation and negotiate with the insurance company when a higher settlement offer is needed. If a lawsuit is necessary, we can help you prove the fault of the other party in court and fight for the highest level of monetary damages.

Contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC so we can help you obtain financial recovery after your spinal cord injury.