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Practice Areas > Catastrophic Injury > Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer Florida
There are approximately 450,000 people in the United States living with spinal cord injuries and there are around 10,000 new cases every year. Statistics show that the majority (approximately 80%) of spinal cord injury victims are 16-30 year old males. Fifty percent of spinal cord injuries are the result of a car or truck accident. Other causes include physical violence, fall accidents and sports-related accidents. The majority of spinal cord injuries result in permanent disabilities which require medical and legal attention. Additional physical symptoms as well as psychological trauma may accompany spinal cord injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other anxiety disorders. With any serious spinal cord injury, it is important to consult an injury attorney to make sure you review and understand the issues of liability and compensation.
The acuteness of the injury is determined by where along the spine the injury takes place. Below are the five parts of the spine where an injury may occur:
Coccygeal vertebrae – controls sensation from the skin on the lower back
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Sacral vertebrae – controls thighs, lower parts of legs, feet, most of the external genital organs
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Lumbar vertebrae – controls lower abdomen, lower back, buttocks, some parts of the legs, some parts of the external genital organs
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Thoracic vertebrae – controls chest muscles, some back muscles, parts of the abdomen
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Thoracic vertebrae – controls chest muscles, some back muscles, parts of the abdomen
A spinal cord injury can be either complete or incomplete. If a spinal cord injury is complete the spinal cord is so damaged or has been severed, and is now unable to receive and send messages to the brain past the level of injury on the spine. If an injury is incomplete the spine can still receive and send some messages from the brain past the level of injury.
Many people are curious about potential treatments for spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injury. For example, if there was a fracture to the vertebrae protecting the cord, surgery may be performed to correct the fracture and relieve the compression on the spine. This could potentially help the victim recover some function.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation are key factors in helping an injured person recover some function after an accident. The victim may also work with occupational therapists, nutritionists, neurologists or psychologists. Physical rehabilitation may help the injured person with a variety of challenges resulting from their injury.
Our law office will consult with you and your family to clearly outline your medical needs and your legal rights. We will work with you to help you understand how spinal cord injuries can change your life and ensure that you receive compensation that will benefit you not only in the present, but also later on down the line. Please contact us at FloridaInjuryLawyer.com to discuss your case.