Los Angeles Spine Injury Attorney
Helping Accident Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve
Have you or a loved one suffered a spine injury in an accident? If so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer is highly skilled in helping accident victims recover the just compensation they deserve. We have the resources and experience to represent you in your case, no matter how complex it may be.
Call our office today at 888-643-2943 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition that occurs when the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves running down the spine, is damaged. The spinal cord is a crucial component of the central nervous system, responsible for transmitting sensory and motor signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It serves as the main communication pathway for voluntary movements, reflexes, and sensory information.
SCI can result from various traumatic events or non-traumatic medical conditions, and the severity and effects of the injury depend on the location and extent of the damage.
The two main types of SCI are:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: In this case, there is a total loss of function below the level of the injury. It means that the person loses all motor function, sensation, and reflexes below the damaged area. For example, if the injury occurs at the neck level, the individual may become paralyzed from the neck down (quadriplegia). If the injury occurs at the lower back level, they may lose sensation and mobility in their legs and lower body (paraplegia).
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Here, some function below the level of the injury is preserved. In other words, there may be some remaining sensation and motor function, and the extent of impairment varies depending on the location and severity of the damage.
Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Traumatic events: These include car accidents, falls, sports-related injuries, and acts of violence.
- Non-traumatic causes: Spinal cord injuries can also result from diseases such as tumors, infections, or conditions like herniated discs.
The effects of an SCI can be life-altering and may lead to permanent disabilities. Depending on the level of the injury, individuals may face challenges with mobility, muscle control, bowel and bladder function, sexual function, and respiratory function. They may require extensive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive devices to improve their quality of life and independence.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on the severity of the injury. The most severe spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis, loss of motor function, loss of sensation, and/or loss of control over bowel and bladder functions. Some spinal cord injuries may not result in any symptoms right away, but over time the injured person will develop complications due to the injury.
Some of the common symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:
- Loss of sensation: The injured person may experience a loss of sensation below the level of injury. This can result in numbness or an inability to feel touch, heat, or cold in the affected areas.
- Muscle weakness or paralysis: Depending on the severity of the injury, muscle weakness or paralysis may occur. Paralysis can be either partial (incomplete) or complete, affecting different muscle groups and body parts.
- Impaired coordination and balance: Spinal cord injuries can affect the ability to coordinate movements and maintain balance, making it difficult for the individual to walk or perform daily activities.
- Respiratory difficulties: Injuries high up on the spinal cord (cervical or thoracic region) can impact the muscles responsible for breathing, leading to respiratory difficulties or the need for assisted ventilation.
- Bowel and bladder problems: SCI can disrupt the normal functioning of the bowel and bladder, leading to incontinence or difficulty with bowel movements and urination.
- Sexual dysfunction: Depending on the level of injury, sexual function and fertility may be affected.
- Spasms and involuntary movements: Some individuals may experience muscle spasms or involuntary movements, which can be painful and affect their mobility.
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate: Spinal cord injuries can interfere with the autonomic nervous system, leading to issues with blood pressure regulation and heart rate control.
- Loss of reflexes: Certain reflexes, such as the knee-jerk reflex, may be lost or altered due to the injury.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
The damages you can recover in your spinal cord injury case will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Damages may be awarded for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and more.
Some of the damages you may be able to recover in your spinal cord injury case include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Physical and emotional pain
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Let Our Firm Help You Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention and contact our Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in spinal cord injury cases, as the sooner you file your claim, the more evidence you will have to support it.
Our team will work with medical professionals to determine the full extent of your injuries and the damages you can recover. We will also work with experts to prove that the accident was the other party’s fault.
Contact us today at 888-643-2943 to let our firm help you recover your entitled compensation.
