Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Injury Lawyers serving Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

More than 10,000 people in the United States suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) each year. SCI is defined as any damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function or mobility. Such injuries can be caused by trauma or disease and can result in temporary or permanent loss of sensation, loss of movement (paralysis), or loss of control of bodily functions. Auto accidents, falls, and sports accidents cause many SCIs, but acts of violence—such as gun-related injuries—have been a steadily increasing cause of Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland spinal cord injury cases.

What are the types of spinal cord injuries?

There are two types of injury­—complete and incomplete. A complete injury is one in which the victim has no sensation or voluntary motor movement on either side of the body below the level of the injury. If the victim has some feeling or partial movement, it is called an incomplete injury.

Injuries are further defined in reference to the area of the spine affected. For example, an injury to the spine in the neck area affects the cervical vertebrae, so an injury to the nerves at the fifth cervical vertebra would be called a C-5 injury. Below the neck are the thoracic vertebrae, so injuries there would be defined as T-1, T-2, and so on. Beyond that are the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, and injuries in those areas are named in a similar manner.

What are the results of a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury usually involves swelling of the spinal cord, which affects the whole body. After the swelling goes down, it is possible for the patient to regain function months or years after the injury, but it is rare for all previous function to be recovered.

Generally speaking, neck injuries will lead to paralysis of all limbs (quadriplegia) while thoracic injuries cause paralysis to the lower limbs only (paraplegia). Injuries to both areas can result in varying amounts of dysfunction, depending on the severity of the injury. For instance, an incomplete cervical injury can leave the patient with some hand use, while a complete injury at C-4 may require the patient to use a ventilator. Thoracic injuries can leave the arms functional but interfere with walking, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. Beyond terms of physical mobility, blood pressure, body temperature, and pain perception can also be affected by a spinal cord injury.

What can be done for a spinal cord injury?

Treatment presently consists of stabilizing any broken vertebrae, maintaining the patient, preventing movement to the injured area, and reducing swelling. There is currently no cure for SCI, but stem cell research has shown some signs of possible benefits in the future.

What should I do if I suffered a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries can be especially troubling. These injuries can cause severe physical and emotional pain, extreme life disruption, extraordinarily expensive medical bills, and, in many cases, result in the need for long-term care. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. You need a spinal cord injury lawyer who has experience in these especially complex cases on your side. An attorney at ChasenBoscolo would like to help with your unique case.

For more information or support, please visit the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (www.spinalcord.org).

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If you or a loved one has been injured, contact ChasenBoscolo today for a free case consultation. Complete a free consultation form online or call (800) 728-5898.

Our personal injury lawyers concentrate on auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workers’ compensation, social security disability, athletic injuries, pedestrian accidents, and pharmaceutical/drug recalls. We also handle cases involving spinal/disc injuries, broken bones, disfigurement, wrongful death, defective machinery / products, construction accidents, and slip and fall accidents among other personal injury cases.