Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Philadelphia, PA

When it comes to a spinal cord injury, it usually involves a serious impact or accident. There is a large list of ways that a spinal cord can sustain catastrophic damage, but certain accidents and causes are most commonly seen in Philadelphia spinal cord injury cases.

Common causes of spinal cord injuries in Pennsylvania include:

• Car Accidents – Automobile accidents make up about 50% of spinal cord injuries.
• Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcyclists are also common victims of spinal cord injuries due to the lack of protection during a motorcycle crash.
• Slip and Falls – People who slip and land on their back, such as a slip & fall caused by unsalted ice on a sidewalk or driveway, can suffer a serious impact injury, especially in their lower back areas.
• Falling Objects – If something heavy strikes the back of the neck or head hard enough, it can crush the spine and cause significant damage.
• Diving Accidents – Diving in a shallow end or missing the pool entirely while diving, can result in a serious impact to the head and the spinal cord.
• Gunshot Wounds – Bullets can easily break bone and tear muscle and nerves in the spinal cord.
• Medical Malpractice – The spinal cord is sensitive, and surgeries involving the spinal cord can have a higher risk of something going wrong during the operation.
• Violent Physical Altercations – Being kicked, punched, or otherwise assaulted in the back can cause swelling or bone breakage near the spine.
• Pedestrian and Biking Accidents – Individuals walking on foot, or riding a bicycle, have little to no protection if a motor vehicle makes impact with them, often resulting in catastrophic injuries.
• Sports Accidents – Sports with a lot of physical impact, such as rugby, football, etc., can result in serious impact to the spinal cord.

Common Signs of Spinal Cord Injuries

You always want to see a medical professional right away if you are experiencing symptoms of spinal cord trauma. If you have been in any physically traumatic situation and experience spinal cord injury symptoms, it is important to get checked out by a doctor.

The most commonly seen symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Involuntary muscle movements or spasms
• Loss of control of the bladder or bowels
• Inability to feel sensations like pressure or temperature (hot or cold)
• Pain and/or numbing
• Possible burning sensations
• Loss of mobility or loss of ability to move body parts or walk

The three regions of the spine include the cervical, thoracic, and the lumbar regions. Different symptoms can indicate the area of the spine that has been damaged. The lower the location of the spinal cord damage, the less likely someone is to suffer spinal cord injury symptoms. That is because the injury is farther away from the brain.

Common symptoms seen in specific regions of the spine include:

• Thoracic (T1-T12) – The thoracic region is the lowest part of the spine and the least severe. Damage to the thoracic region results in symptoms involving the legs, such as limited mobility, numbing, and blood pressure issues.
• Lumbar (L1-L5) – The lumbar area is the mid-section of the spine, and damage affects one or both legs. Spinal cord damage to the lumbar area can also cause loss of control of the bladder and bowels.
• Cervical (C1-C8) – Damage to the cervical region is considered the most severe, as it is the closest to the brain and affects the entire body. The cervical region is also above the lungs and heart, which can cause complications with these organs. Symptoms of cervical spinal cord damage include all the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as issues with arm and torso body movements and breathing issues.

Spinal Cord Injuries and the Costly Effects on Victims

Because the spinal cord is such a central and important part of the body, even minor trauma to the bones or nerves can result in catastrophic injuries that are often irreversible. Not only do spinal cord injuries have heavy effects on someone’s present and future life, they can also result in overwhelming financial burdens. Statistics show that most spinal cord injury victims have over $1 million in medical expenses by the end of the first year following the accident.

Spinal cord injuries often involve limited mobility, which can result in job loss or a lost chance for career advancement. Spinal cord injuries can also affect relationships of any kind, from marital, children, parental, friends, coworkers, etc. Spinal cord damage also has lasting mental effects on victims due to serious life changes and financial burdens, not to mention the frustrating physical limitations that typically accompany a serious spinal cord injury. Often, victims can no longer move around freely, and they may need assistance getting around. In situations involving cervical spine injury, most victims need something to help them breathe and can barely move at all, which may result in complete devastation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Philadelphia Lawyer for Advisement on Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

If you have experienced a spinal cord injury in Philadelphia, chances are that there are a lot of stresses in your life and a lot of changes. Often, victims find their entire lives changed. Beyond that, the financial strain can be detrimental to the victim’s life and seriously hinder their ability to provide for their family. If someone’s negligence has resulted in you sustained a spinal cord injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim or sue for a settlement to at least help ease the financial burden on your life. Our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers are very compassionate, and we are dedicated to helping our suffering clients get compensation and justice for their injuries. Contact the Marrone Law Firm, LLC online, or call us at our Philadelphia office today for a free consultation about your case and to get the legal support you need.