Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Catastrophic Consequences
Kirk Bernard
December 23, 2009
Injuries to the spinal cord can be some of the most traumatic and life changing of all, mainly because the spinal cord is responsible for so many of the bodyīs functions. This long cord is protected by the vertebrae of the spine, and is responsible for transporting messages from the brain to other parts of the body. The spinal cord plays a vital role in movement, senses, and even unconscious bodily functions like respiration and circulation. Therefore, itīs not at all surprising that an injury to any area of the spinal cord can have catastrophic effects.
One of the most common and devastating effects of spinal cord injuries is paralysis. Persons with spinal cord injuries may be paraplegic or quadriplegic. A paraplegic is an individual who loses the use of their legs and the lower section of their bodies. In these cases, the injury damaged the lower part of the spine. A person who is considered a paraplegic will usually make use of a wheelchair to get around, but they will obviously not be able to take part in many of the daily activities they once enjoyed. A quadriplegic is a person who loses the use of every part of their body below the chest or neck. Performing daily tasks will be difficult if not impossible, and they will usually require significant assistance and care.
Itīs not hard to see why paralysis is often heart breaking for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries. It will often also have a profound effect on the victimīs family and friends. If itīs a child who has become paralyzed, parents will often have to deal with guilt and the knowledge that their child may never be able to live a fully independent life. Spouses have to face the fact that they will have to assume the role of caregiver. They may also have to take on the role of financial provider if the victim is no longer able to work. The time after a spinal cord injury that has resulted in paralysis is often one of sadness and shock as the victim and everyone connected to him or her takes some time to readjust to their new reality.
Spinal cord injuries are also associated with several acute complications. One of these is Hyperreflexia. An individualīs blood pressure can become dangerously high, which can result in stroke or even death. Another possibly life-threatening complication is Autonomic Dysreflexia. It happens when the body responds to pain that is occurring in an injured area of the body. As the blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rises and the heart rate slows, which can be very dangerous.
Perhaps the saddest thing is that spinal cord injuries are by no means rare. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that as many as 400,000 people in the United States are currently living with spinal cord injuries, and that there are 7800 new injuries each year. In addition, almost 5000 people with spinal cord injuries die before they ever reach a hospital.
If the actions of somebody else were fully or partially to blame for your spinal cord injury, you may be able to take legal action against them. If youīre located in Washington State, seek out a Seattle personal injury attorney who can help you get the damages you are entitled to. You may be able to get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and various other expenses, depending on the exact details of your case. Contact Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team at The Bernard Law Group by calling 1-800-418-8282 or send an email to info@bernardlawgroup.com to schedule a free comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our free informational brochure that has useful and educational information that will help you in understanding your legal rights.
One of the most common and devastating effects of spinal cord injuries is paralysis. Persons with spinal cord injuries may be paraplegic or quadriplegic. A paraplegic is an individual who loses the use of their legs and the lower section of their bodies. In these cases, the injury damaged the lower part of the spine. A person who is considered a paraplegic will usually make use of a wheelchair to get around, but they will obviously not be able to take part in many of the daily activities they once enjoyed. A quadriplegic is a person who loses the use of every part of their body below the chest or neck. Performing daily tasks will be difficult if not impossible, and they will usually require significant assistance and care.
Itīs not hard to see why paralysis is often heart breaking for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries. It will often also have a profound effect on the victimīs family and friends. If itīs a child who has become paralyzed, parents will often have to deal with guilt and the knowledge that their child may never be able to live a fully independent life. Spouses have to face the fact that they will have to assume the role of caregiver. They may also have to take on the role of financial provider if the victim is no longer able to work. The time after a spinal cord injury that has resulted in paralysis is often one of sadness and shock as the victim and everyone connected to him or her takes some time to readjust to their new reality.
Spinal cord injuries are also associated with several acute complications. One of these is Hyperreflexia. An individualīs blood pressure can become dangerously high, which can result in stroke or even death. Another possibly life-threatening complication is Autonomic Dysreflexia. It happens when the body responds to pain that is occurring in an injured area of the body. As the blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rises and the heart rate slows, which can be very dangerous.
Perhaps the saddest thing is that spinal cord injuries are by no means rare. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that as many as 400,000 people in the United States are currently living with spinal cord injuries, and that there are 7800 new injuries each year. In addition, almost 5000 people with spinal cord injuries die before they ever reach a hospital.
If the actions of somebody else were fully or partially to blame for your spinal cord injury, you may be able to take legal action against them. If youīre located in Washington State, seek out a Seattle personal injury attorney who can help you get the damages you are entitled to. You may be able to get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and various other expenses, depending on the exact details of your case. Contact Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team at The Bernard Law Group by calling 1-800-418-8282 or send an email to info@bernardlawgroup.com to schedule a free comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our free informational brochure that has useful and educational information that will help you in understanding your legal rights.
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