If you’ve injured your spine before you probably know that all spinal cord injuries are not created equal.  Even so, if you’ve had one, you know that they can be quite debilitating no matter how minor the injury.  While spinal cord injuries can be caused by any number of incidents, most are caused by motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls or some other type of violence.  Since spinal cord injuries can vary in severity depending on any number of factors, knowing the types of spinal cord injuries out there is a great place to start when looking for a doctor or personal injury lawyer to help you.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury:

• Complete spinal cord injuries result in a total loss of sensation and movement below where the injury occurs and results in either complete paraplegia or complete quadriplegia and is permanent.
  • Complete paraplegia: A type of paralysis that causes permanent loss of motor and nerve function at or below the T1 vertebra which is below the neck.
  • Complete quadriplegia: A type of paralysis that causes permanent loss of hand and arm movement and some more serious quadriplegics need ventilator systems in order to breathe.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury:

• Incomplete spinal cord injuries are characterized by some degree of sensation and movement loss below the point of injury and the true extent of the injury isn’t fully known until 6-8 weeks after the injury once spinal shock has subsided.
• Incomplete spinal injuries fall under five different classifications:
  • Central cord syndrome: Damage to the center of the spinal cord that results in a loss of function in the arms but some leg movement is possible. Some recovery is likely.
  • Anterior cord syndrome: Damage to the front of the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of motor function, temperature, and pain sensation below the injury. Some movement may later be recovered.
  • Posterior cord syndrome: Damage to the back of the spinal cord, resulting in poor coordination, but good muscle power, pain sensation, and temperature sensation remain intact. This condition is very rare.
  • Brown-Sequard syndrome: Damage to the lateral side of the spinal cord, resulting in loss of movement but preserved sensation on one side of the body, and preserved movement and loss of sensation on the other side of the body.
  • Cauda equina lesion: Injury to the nerves located between the L1 and L2 region of the spine, resulting in partial or complete loss of sensation. Nerves can regrow and function can be recovered sometimes.

NSCIA Statistics on Spinal Injuries:

• According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), spinal cord injuries are caused in the United States by:
  • Motor vehicle accidents (44%)
  • Acts of violence (24%)
  • Falls (22%)
  • Sports (8%)
  • Other causes (2%)

While this isn’t article isn’t intended to help you make a diagnosis, it can be helpful for gaining information about what spinal cord injuries are out there.  If you or a loved one has suffered any one of these spinal cord injuries due to the negligence of someone else contact Haire Law for a free evaluation to see how we can help.

First, an assault can be defined as a threat to use unlawful force to cause bodily injury to another. The threat, which the plaintiff must believe is imminent, must cause reasonable worry in the plaintiff. Therefore, when the defendant has threatened to use force, fear is then created in the plaintiff, and an assault has then occurred. The focus, for the purpose of determining whether a particular threat is an assault, must be upon how reasonable the plaintiff’s reaction is. So if the defendant’s threat looks like it’s about to be carried out, and the defendant appears capable and intent on carrying it out, the plaintiff will likely be able to successfully prove an assault occurred. But if the defendant threatens to use force against the plaintiff, but clearly states that force is not about to happen, but will instead happen in the future, the plaintiff cannot effectively claim assault. For example, a plaintiff may have difficulty proving an assault in cases where a former spouse threatens him or her over the phone, but is not present or capable of immediately carrying out the threat.

Next, battery can be defined as deliberate and unpermitted contact with another person. A battery, for practical purposes, is the end result of an assault. The plaintiff in a battery claim does not need to prove any actual injury, as long as the plaintiff proves unlawful and unwanted contact with themself or their property. For example, plaintiffs can successfully prove a battery if the defendant grabs onto the plaintiff’s coat. In addition, the contact doesn’t have to be with an object in the possession of the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s body. Any unpermitted contact with property of the plaintiff, located within the plaintiff’s proximity, may also constitute a battery.

Since many people don’t know the difference between assault and battery, but you do, take the next step and visit http://hrj-law.com/ for a free consultation and ask how we can help you with your case.  Haire law firm is a law firm in Denton, TX, primarily focuses on personal injury law, including car accident injuries, nursing home neglect, oil and gas rig accidents, aviation accidents, accidents caused by construction, etc.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teen deaths, accounting for 38% of all teen fatalities in the U.S. In fact, every day, more than 10 drivers in the 15 to 20 age group are killed in car accidents. An additional 745 are injured.

If you or your child have been hurt in a motor vehicle collision caused by someone else’s negligence, contact a us today to learn about your legal rights. You may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages, medical bills and even your pain and suffering. Send us a message here.

The Haire law group

www.hrj-law.com

940-484-5555

• Try not to overexert yourself while working outside.
• While outside drink plenty of fluids, at least a quart an hour.
• Wear loose fitting clothing that is light in color and fabric.
• Keep your head cool by always wearing a hat and sunblock.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol because they can cause dehydration.

Following these simple tips should help many people avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke while working on the job.  If someone you know gets heat stroke, call 911 immediately because it is considered an emergency.

* event… afternoon and early evening heat index values will
rise to or exceed 105 degrees today and Wednesday. Low
temperatures tonight will only fall to between 78 and 84
degrees.

* Timing… now through 8 PM CDT Wednesday evening.

* Impact… increased concern for heat related illnesses due to
persistent hot and humid conditions.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

Be sure to check on persons with health problems and the
elderly… as they are the most susceptible to heat exhaustion
and heat stroke. Never leave Young children or pets in an
enclosed vehicle… even for a short time… as temperatures can
quickly rise to life threatening levels.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible… reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when
possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work the occupational safety and
health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by
heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke
is an emergency – call 911.