Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that 450,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries. Additionally, another 17,000 suffer spinal cord injuries annually. These injuries also cost the nation some $9.7 billion to treat annually.
In many cases, people who suffer spinal cord injuries are entitled to compensation for their medical costs, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages. To learn whether you have a claim, call our office today to speak with an attorney
Main Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can vary in terms of severity. In addition, they can be divided into two broad categories:
Incomplete Injuries
Incomplete spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is damaged but can still transmit nerve signals to some extent. Incomplete injuries are the most common, accounting for over 60% of all spinal cord injuries. Incomplete spinal cord injuries can take different forms, as listed below:
- Anterior cord syndrome: It affects the spine’s front.
- Central cord syndrome: It affects the spine’s center and damages nerves.
- Brown-Sequard syndrome: It injures one side of the spinal cord.
Complete Injuries
Spine injuries can also be complete, which means that no nerve signals are transmitted below the site of the injury.
- Tetraplegia: It paralyzes and affects all limbs.
- Paraplegia: It makes the affected body part lose complete movement and feelings.
- Triplegia: Arises from complications incomplete injuries cause.
When to Seek Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
Always seek immediate treatment following an injury. Seek prompt medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Severe pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back.
- Tingles and numbness in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes.
- Partial or total loss of control over any body part.
- Sudden incontinence.
- Impaired breathing.
Contact a Beverly Hills Catastrophe Injury Attorney Now
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a preventable accident, you should contact a Beverly Hills catastrophic injury attorney to help you seek just compensation. Talk to us today.
