Spinal cord injuries are not as rare as you may think. Every year, it is estimated that there are over 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injury in the United States. That’s about 47 people per day who suffer a spinal cord injury. What’s even more alarming is that many of these injuries could have been prevented. If you or someone you know has suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligent actions, it’s important to understand your rights and options. Contact our Minneapolis spinal cord injury attorney today for more information.
On This Page:
- Causes of Spinal Injuries
- Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Symptoms of Spinal Injuries
- What Kind of Compensation Can You Get?
- Get Started
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur in a variety of different circumstances. Some of the most common accidents that can result in spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents (particularly car crashes, trucking accidents, and motorcycle accidents)
- Contact sports
- Serious falls
- Violent attacks
If your injury was caused as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, you may have grounds to file a Minnesota personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are usually divided into one of two categories: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury is when you lose all feeling and mobility below the injured area. An incomplete spinal injury is when you still retain some mobility or sensory function below the injured area.
Within both of these categories, spinal injuries can be divided into several types. The most common types of spinal cord injuries are:
Paraplegia
Paraplegia refers to the loss of feeling and movement in the lower half of the body (this would include your legs). This type of spinal injury is a result of damage to your thoracic spinal cord. The closer the damage is to the top of your vertebra, the more severe the injury tends to be.
Tetraplegia
Tetraplegia refers to damage to your cervical spinal cord. This type of injury can result in different levels of paralysis in all of your limbs. Another term for this type of spinal injury is quadriplegia. These types of injuries not only restrict movement, but can also result in loss of control over bladder, respiration, etc.
Triplegia
Triplegia usually occurs in victims who have suffered an incomplete spinal injury. This type of injury typically involves loss of mobility and sensation in one arm and both of your legs.
No matter what type of injury you have suffered, our spinal injury attorneys in Minneapolis are here to help you start moving forward with your life.
Get help from a professional spinal cord injury attorney at Goldenberg Lauricella today! Call (612) 333-4662 today.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
There are several symptoms that may present themselves if you or a loved one has suffered a serious spinal cord injury. The most common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Loss of movement
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss or reduction of ability to feel things like heat, cold and touch
- Spasms
- Difficulty breathing or coughing
- Pain or stinging
- Pressure in your back, neck or head
- Numbness or tingling in hands, fingers, feet or toes
If you believe that you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move the person, as this could cause more serious injury. Try to hold the individual’s head or neck in place to prevent them from moving.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get In a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement?
Spinal cord injuries have a life-altering effect on victims. In many cases, spinal injury victims require ongoing medical treatment and care. Their quality of life often changes drastically and they may be prevented from returning to work ever again. A fair spinal injury settlement should take all of these factors into account. A study conducted by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC) found that in 2019 the average first year expenses related to spinal cord injuries could range from $375,000 to $1,149,600, depending on how serious the injury was. The same study also found that the average yearly expenses related to a spinal cord injury after the first year could be anywhere from $45,500 to $199,600, depending on the severity of the injury. At Goldenberg Lauricella, our team of trained spinal cord injury lawyers in Minneapolis will fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation to help offset the medical expenses and changes in your life following your accident.
Let Us Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious spinal cord injury, it is important to contact an experienced spinal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella have over 38 years of experience helping victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Don’t wait. Call our Minneapolis spinal injury attorneys today at (612) 333-4662 and get started with a no-cost consultation.