When a spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs, it can cause brain swelling and disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body below the injury. The spinal cord serves as the primary communication pathway for the nervous system. When an injury affects this pathway, the victim often encounters various motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional, and autonomic issues.
If someone else’s negligence caused your SCI, a Long Island spinal cord injury lawyer will ensure you understand your rights and options. They will fight to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the compensation necessary for your treatment, rehabilitation, and care.
- The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury on the Brain and Its Functions
- Treatment, Recovery, and Prognosis After a Spinal Cord Injury
- The Cause of Your Spinal Cord Injury Could Affect Your Options for Paying for Care
- Pursuing a Legal Case Based on a Spinal Cord Injury
- Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury With Our Team for Free
The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury on the Brain and Its Functions
Disruption in communication between the brain and other parts of the body can cause issues with movement, sensation, and bodily functions. It can also cause significant cognitive and emotional issues for some patients.
Normally, the body and brain communicate with each other constantly. A spinal cord injury can distort these messages or block them entirely. Naturally, these missing or altered messages change how the brain responds and interacts with the body. This causes other neurological changes, which could lead to changes in:
- Memory
- Attention span and focus
- Problem-solving
- Language and communication
- Mood and personality
- Behavior
The Physical Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
According to the Mayo Clinic, spinal cord injuries affect sensory and motor function below the injury site, often causing complete or partial paralysis. Even when injuries are incomplete, the brain will likely receive less sensory input. This typically results in sensory deficits, altered perception, and the brain’s inability to control movement the same way it once could.
Additionally, the lack of communication between the brain and body affects much more than feeling and movement. Without the sensory feedback the brain usually receives, many bodily functions could struggle to work properly. Victims may experience symptoms such as:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of sexual function
The Psychological and Emotional Effects of SCIs
Spinal cord injuries often have psychological and emotional effects. It is only natural for those who suffer catastrophic injuries to experience grief, anger, depression, and other mental health issues. These psychological responses often lead to problems with focus, memory, and other cognitive functions.
Other Possible Neurological Concerns
Spinal cord injuries can also cause complications that affect the brain. These could include issues with muscle spasticity, chronic pain, and autonomic dysfunction.
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Treatment, Recovery, and Prognosis After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury patients often require extensive treatment, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing care. After the initial injury, many people need surgery or immobilization to stabilize their back or neck. After their acute injuries receive treatment, they begin physical therapy and other rehabilitation services.
These therapies are essential in helping the person maximize their recovery, including regaining abilities they lost due to their injuries whenever possible.
Knowing a patient’s prognosis in the first weeks following an injury is often difficult. Recovery takes time, and many patients take a year or more to reach maximum medical improvement. The lasting effects of a spinal cord injury vary widely based on several factors, including:
- The severity of the injury
- The location of the injury on the spinal cord
- The patient’s age
- The patient’s overall health
- Pre-existing conditions
- Complications
Patients with spinal cord damage generally require inpatient rehabilitation and continued therapies once they return home. Many need ongoing monitoring for the rest of their lives. Receiving the right treatments and therapies could reduce the effect of a spinal cord injury on the brain, regardless of the recovery of movement or sensation.
Many people with spinal cord injuries continue to live with lasting injuries and impairments. Even those who learn to walk again require additional treatment and monitoring. Some cannot breathe on their own or have other catastrophic effects that require around-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.
The Cause of Your Spinal Cord Injury Could Affect Your Options for Paying for Care
If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused catastrophic injuries for you or a loved one, you have a right to hold the negligent party responsible. For example, spinal injuries can occur in:
- Auto accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and falls
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
If you or a loved one suffered an SCI under any of these or other circumstances, you have a right to pursue appropriate compensation and hold the at-fault party accountable. Recoverable types of damages in these cases could include:
- Current and future medical needs, including emergency medical services, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing care
- Ongoing support costs, including long-term care
- Income lost due to injuries
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your job
- Property damage
- Related expenses with receipts
- Pain and suffering
- Other intangible losses, such as impaired quality of life
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Pursuing a Legal Case Based on a Spinal Cord Injury
Filing a personal injury lawsuit based on a spinal cord injury is at best extremely challenging and in many cases completely overwhelming and doomed to failure without legal representation. Relying on a personal injury attorney who is familiar with these injuries and their causes is a far, far better option.
Hiring a spinal cord injury lawyer to handle your case ensures you have an advocate with the knowledge, experience, determination and resources necessary to navigate the process and seek appropriate compensation.
When you work with a personal injury lawyer, they will:
- Keep you updated on your case
- Identify all liable parties
- Communicate with insurance carriers and all other involved parties for you
- Gather evidence and present a compelling case
- Determine a value for your case
- File your insurance paperwork and lawsuit
- Take your case to court, if necessary
- Fight relentlessly to win the compensation and justice you deserve
By hiring, as may be needed, expert witnesses such as medical experts, vocational rehabilitation specialists, life care planners, and economists, your spinal cord injury attorney will establish an estimated cost for your future care and support needs. This is crucial for recovering the money you need, but it is difficult or impossible with a lawyer handling your case.
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Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury With Our Team for Free
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. provides free consultations for spinal cord injury victims. We will meet you on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area. Trust your case to our passionate advocates for the injured.
Call for a free consultation, or use our online contact form to connect with our team today.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form