Spinal Cord Injuries may be caused by auto accidents, acts of violence, falls, sports injuries, or other causes.

Pain and suffering may be lifelong and constant.  Permanent disability may ensue.  The spinal cord is a communicator between the brain and the rest of the body.  It consists of nerves and bones that extend downward from the base of the brain.  The nerves, which are called vertebrae, filter through small openings between each bone.  These vertebrae provide what protection there is in the body for this vital communications system.  Injury or bleeding may cause sudden compression of the spinal cord with following nerve damage.

Our lawyers stand ready to assist you in determining the best course of action if you or a relative or friend have been the victim of a spinal cord injury.
Approximately 450,000 people in the United States have sustained spinal cord injuries, with more cases in emergency centers every day. These injuries are dramatically more common in men than in women.

Spinal Cord Injuries are defined as any damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function or mobility. Technically a spinal cord injury is damage to the nerve cells which comprise the spinal cord and extend from the brain to the lower back. Spinal cord injuries cause disruption in the communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The extent of disruption depends on the severity and location of the injury.

The spinal cord is approximately 17 inches long and is protected by the backbone, which is made up of 33 individual vertebrae. Injuries are usually defined with reference to the area of the spine that is affected (i.e., injury to the nerves at the fifth cervical vertebra is called a C-5 injury; if the injury is below the neck it is in the thoracic vertebrae, so injuries are defined as T-1). Spinal cord injuries can occur at any level of the cord. There are two types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete; the most serious injury is a complete spinal cord injury because it produces a total loss of all motor and sensory function below the level of injury. Almost one half of all spinal cord injuries are complete.

Spinal cord injuries are most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, but have also been caused by falls, acts of violence, sports-related injuries or work-related injuries such as those from construction work.

The symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

• Extreme pain in the neck, head or back
• Tingling or loss of sensation in the hand, fingers, feet, or toes
• Loss of control over any part of the body
• Urinary or bowel urgency, incontinence, or retention
• Difficulty with balance and walking
• Impaired breathing after injury
• Lumps on the head or spine

Treatment usually consists of stabilizing broken vertebrae, preventing movement of the affected area, and to reducing swelling. There currently is no cure for severe spinal chord injuries, but stem cell research is being doing every day in hopes of a future cure.

Along with the emotional and physical challenges of this type of injury, your finances will be an ongoing concern for you and your family when dealing with a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries can be very costly. Initial hospitalization and rehabilitation costs can run close to $250,000 per person. Additional lifetime costs begin at $400,000 and top $2 million dollars depending on the level of injury.

You may be entitled to compensation from the liable party of your accident. Compensation will assist in defraying the costs of medical treatment and providing compensation for your pain and suffering. Litigation is often the only way to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to. Getting the highest possible compensation requires experienced attorneys. If you, or a loved one, have been the victim of an accident resulting in a spinal cord injury, please call us now at 1-800-248-0992 or send us an e-mail at info@kantrovitzlaw.com. Don't suffer through a spinal cord injury without an experienced attorney from Kantrovitz & Associates on your side.