The spinal cord is one of the most important structures of the human body, responsible for carrying signals between the brain and the rest of the body and allowing the brain control over all conscious and unconscious processes. When negligence causes spinal cord injuries, injured victims and their families should contact a Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney to help them understand their legal options. Call a Fort Worth spinal cord Injury attorney today to schedule a consultation about your recent spinal cord injury.
Why Choose Aaron Herbert for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
•
The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert focuses exclusively on
personal injury cases and has extensive experience with all types of personal injury claims, including bone fractures, brain injuries, burns, and spinal injuries.
• Aaron A. Herbert has successfully handled more than 50 trial cases and secured multimillion-dollar verdicts for past clients.
• Aaron A. Herbert achieved certified specialist status in personal injury law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
• Our firm offers contingency fee billing so even those with limited finances can afford legal representation from a Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney when they need it most. We do not collect legal fees unless we win.
Are Spinal Cord Injuries Permanent?
Unfortunately, the spinal cord cannot self-repair like the rest of the body so any damage to the spinal cord is permanent. The brain will be unable to send or receive neurological signals from the nerves below the injury site. Even an incomplete injury that leaves the victim with some amount of remaining touch sensation or motor function will not fully heal. Our spinal cord injury attorney will help Fort Worth victims with their very difficult road following any spinal damage that may involve various types of physical and psychological therapies.
A person who suffers a spinal cord injury may be unable to walk or control bowel movements, may lose the use of his or her arms, and the brain may be unable to control breathing, necessitating a respirator or assisted breathing device for the rest of the victim’s life. Ultimately, the effects of a spinal cord injury can be profound and last a lifetime.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center
records around 17,000 new spinal cord injuries every year. As of 2016, the center estimated around 282,000 people have some form of spinal cord injury. The majority of these injuries arise from
vehicle accidents and
falls. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include acts of violence, sports, and medical care mistakes.
• Falls can cause spinal cord injuries, even from moderate heights. A fall can cause the body to strike objects or the ground in various positions as it is not always possible for someone who is falling to control his or her position before hitting the ground. Falls from higher surfaces typically lead to more severe injuries.
• Contact sports like football, ice hockey, and rugby can easily cause spinal cord injuries. Players should wear appropriately-fitted protective gear at all times when playing dangerous sports, but even safety equipment may not be able to prevent some spinal injuries. Athletes who play soccer, track and field, and professional drivers also run the risk of sports-related spinal cord injuries.
• Automotive crashes are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. Depending on the severity of the crash, a victim may experience various types of spinal cord injuries as well as soft tissue damage in the back, neck, and other parts of the body that may require extensive recovery time.
• Medical malpractice can lead to spinal cord injuries if medical professionals are negligent in the administration of spinal injections or when performing certain types of back surgeries.
• Gunshots can cause serious spinal injuries and a host of other possible injuries. Soldiers in active combat zones and victims of interpersonal violence and violent crime are the most likely to suffer spinal injuries from gunshots, but these injuries can also occur from the negligent handling of firearms.
• Physical assaults may lead to spinal cord injuries from direct blows to the spine or if a victim falls down stairs or over a guardrail on a balcony or other elevated surface.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries fall into different categories based on the degree of damage and location of the injury. Common phrases associated with spinal cord injuries include:
- Complete injuries. These injuries involve damage across the cord, severing all brain connectivity with areas below the injury site.
- Incomplete injuries. Incomplete injuries leave part of the spinal cord intact, giving victims limited mobility and sensation below the point of the injury.
- When a spinal cord injury affects both arms and both legs in some way, medical professionals refer to the injury as tetraplegia.
- Paraplegia refers to partial or total paralysis in the lower body.
- Injury levels. The location of the injury determines how much functionality a person will retain. Cervical nerve damage, for example, will often result in tetraplegia while thoracic and lumbar nerve damage will likely cause some form of paraplegia.
Unfortunately, medical professionals do not have the ability yet to repair the spinal cord. Most spinal cord injuries are irreversible, but early treatment and rehabilitation can minimize the total effect of an injury. Those with possible spinal cord injuries should remain immobile until help arrives and closely follow a care team’s treatment recommendation. Early immobilization and aggressive physical therapy in the future may help, depending on the nature of the injury.
The Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
After a spinal cord injury, individuals must often change the course of their lives. Many must learn to walk again, sometimes with the aid of a walker or cane, while others may never regain mobility. Injuries can affect the amount of control an individual retains over his or her bodily functions and can lead to secondary psychological difficulties. These injuries often impact an individual’s quality of life, income-generating capabilities, and personal relationships.
Treating a spinal cord injury is time-consuming and expensive. Accident victims may rely on a network of medical professionals, medications, and at-home support to achieve a maximum level of recovery. Without legal support from a spinal cord injury lawyer, individuals may struggle to pay for their treatments. Medical insurance and disability benefits will only go so far.
Sometimes these injuries arise from illnesses and random accidents while others happen because of someone’s careless or malicious actions. Those who suffer preventable spinal cord injuries deserve full compensation for their losses. Legal action against those responsible can provide valuable support for current and future medical expenses including rehabilitation, at-home care, and surgery. Other damages available through a claim may include compensation for a victim’s lost income, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Fort Worth Spinal Injury Attorneys
At The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, we handle all spinal cord injury cases. Our team has the resources and the skills needed to convey the facts of a claim and secure the compensation you deserve for your injury. As a team of trial-ready lawyers, we will not accept anything less than a fair settlement offer. In addition to pursuing a legal claim on your behalf, we will help you find the medical care you need to recover. Our goal is to make life a little easier for you today and into the future. For more information about our experience with spinal cord injury claims in Fort Worth,
contact us today at (817) 500-4878. Initial consultations are always free.
