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.

We are available to you 24/7 at 940-484-5555 or visit us online at www.hrj-law.com

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Whatever the cause of the spinal cord injury accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries, your lost income, the medical bills, the cost of rehabilitation, and the expense of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and ventilators. If another person’s carelessness or negligence caused the accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, talk to a knowledgeable and compassionate Texas spine injuries lawyer today.

Drunk driving accidents cause tremendous amounts of suffering and there are several organizations that are working to not only reduce alcohol-related accidents but eliminate drunk driving accidents. These organizations also offer programs and information for people whose lives have been affected by drunk drivers. If you would like more information about resources for victims of drunk driving accidents, you can contact the following organizations: Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, Impaired Driving (Drugs & Alcohol)  Safety Program, Remove Intoxicated Drivers-USA, and Witness Justice.

 At Haire Law, Rocky Haire has handled over 7000 cases for personal  injury. You’ve heard the expression ” the writing is on the wall ” well ours is ” the checks are on the wall “. Their framed for all to see and we display them with pride. We are available 24/7 and will answer any legal questions. Call us at 940.484.555 or visit us on the web at www.hrj-law.com