Even if they do not know a victim, Massachusetts residents probably know that spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries.
How bad a victim’s condition will be after a spinal cord injury will depend on a number of factors. The most important are where on the spine an injury occurred and how serious the damage was.
The higher up the spine, the worse the symptoms. Someone with an upper spinal cord injury could be paralyzed from the neck down.
Whether a person suffers complete paralysis or other symptoms short of complete loss of movement depends on the level of trauma to the spinal cord.
However, even if a victim is lucky enough not to suffer paralysis, spinal cord injuries cause other serious and lifelong conditions. Aside from mobility problems, symptoms can include loss of bladder control and constant pain.
The most serious injuries can leave a person needing constant care for the rest of their lives. Even those who do not suffer paralysis will need ongoing treatments and medical care which could cost well over $1 million.
Too many spinal cord injuries happen because of preventable accidents
Each year, most spinal cord injuries happen because of motor vehicle accidents. Traffic accidents account for about half of all new spinal cord injuries.
Among senior citizens, falling is the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Falls can and often do damage the spinal cords of younger people as well.
Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include violent behavior as well as injuries related to recreational activities or sports.
The sad common theme is that many if not most of these injuries are preventable. For example, in some cases, a driver taking just minimal extra caution on the road would have meant a paralyzed victim would have been able to walk and enjoy life.
If a person suffers a spinal cord injury because of another person’s negligence, they may have the right to compensation
