Spinal cord injuries can be traumatic and life-changing. These injuries are often caused by heavy blows to the back that compresses, fractures, dislocates, or crushes one of the vertebrae.
While initial damage to the spine is painful enough, complications often occur after the injury—including bleeding, swelling, inflammation, and fluid accumulation.
Not all spine injuries are traumatic, and can be caused by diseases such as arthritis, inflammation, infections, or even cancer.
The spine is directly connected to the brain through nerve fibers, so a direct impact to this region can impede basic body function and movement. Whether the cause is traumatic or non-traumatic, the damage may impair all or part of the muscles and limbs below the area of impact. A chest or lower back injury can affect everything from your torso to sexual function.
The most common cause of spinal cord injuries are motor vehicle accidents. Car and motorcycle accidents make up for 35 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year. Unfortunately, it’s tough to talk about car accidents without mentioning alcohol, which is involved in one of every four spinal cord injuries. This number increases when discussing injuries to the spine caused by car accidents involving alcohol.
Heavy impact activities such as sports and recreation can cause spinal cord injuries as well. In fact, they account for more than nine percent of all spinal cord injuries. A high level of stress is often placed on the spine during these activities, and if stretched or impacted awkwardly, an injury to the spine could occur.
The odds of suffering from an injury to the spine heighten with age. The elderly are at a high risk of this type of injury because their bones and muscles tend to be more fragile at this stage in their lives. As previously mentioned, disease can take its toll on those inflicted, causing deterioration of the spine over time.
However, the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in victims over 65 are falls. These can occur due to faulty equipment or noncompliance by a tenant or business to update their premises for an elderly person.
Spinal cord injuries can prove to be quite costly, and victims often have to receive many hospital treatments such as surgery and physical therapy before they can live independently. Some aren’t even that lucky.
If you or a loved one have suffered from a Dallas spinal cord injury through no fault of your own, you may have the proof needed to file a civil suit. Spinal cord injuries are tough enough, and you shouldn’t have to go about this alone. Contact the Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP law office at (214) 231-0555 for a free consultation.
