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Email UsDid you know that there are 17,500 new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States and over 300,000 Americans are currently living with a spinal cord injury. While spinal cord injuries can affect anyone – at any time – more than half of all spinal cord injuries occur to individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age and more than 81% of all survivors are men.
A spinal cord injury is often devastating for individuals and their families. In a moment, your entire world can be turned upside down. You may be unable to walk, maintain your lifestyle, or even care for yourself the way you did before. This can cause tremendous financial difficulties for families that are already struggling to make ends meet. If you or someone you love has sustained a spinal cord injury, there are 5 things you absolutely need to know about your injury.
#1 Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury Vary Greatly
A spinal cord injury can result from a car crash, a sporting accident or from a fall and the effects of that injury vary greatly. The loss of sensation and movement depends largely on the severity and location of the injury. Also, incomplete injuries will result in having some feeling and movement below the injury, while complete injuries will result in a total and complete loss of feeling and movement below the injury. In general, injuries higher on the spinal cord will affect a greater portion of the body. For example, a complete cervical spinal cord injury will result in total and complete loss of movement and feeling below the neck. This results in loss of bladder and bowel control, as well as loss of breathing.
#2 Treatments are Better than Ever
Improvements in medical technology have made treatments for spinal cord injuries better than ever. Treatments often range from medications to surgeries and each treatment is determined on a case-by-case basis. A range of therapies can also improve the outcome for spinal cord injury victims. In recent years, considerable strides have been made with the use of electrical stimulation implants. This new treatment has enabled some paraplegic patients to learn to walk again.
#3 Home and Car Modifications are Often Necessary
Families who are taking care of loved ones with a spinal cord injury must often modify their homes and cars to accomodate wheelchairs and other large medical equipment. Doors and hallways may need to be widened so that wheelchairs can have access. Countertops may need to be shortened and ramps may need to be installed so that spinal cord injury victims can regain some of their independence if they are able. Spinal cord injury victims may also need to purchase a larger car to transport them to and from doctor’s offices, therapy appointments, and hospitals. This can be a considerable financial investment.
#4 Mental Health May Suffer
Sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury can result in significant emotional distress for both the survivor and their families. Spinal cord injury survivors and their loved ones can suffer serious depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. While most people focus on the physical injury associated with a spinal cord injury, emotional and psychological distress is often overlooked. However, injured accident victims and their families need significant support during this difficult time.
#5 An Attorney Can Help More Than You Realize
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can help you and your family obtain the money you need to tackle all of life’s new challenges. You will need money to pay for new treatments, surgeries, and therapies, as well as home modifications and counseling. Your lawyer can ensure that you receive the maximum compensation after a devastating spinal cord injury, so you can focus on rebuilding your life.
Have You Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury?
If you or someone you love has sustained a spinal cord injury, it is important to know the complications that may arise and the difficulties you may now face. To learn more about your rights, call the Vineland, New Jersey spinal cord injury attorneys at Rosner Law Offices, P.C. today for a free initial consultation and review of your case. Contact us at (856) 502-1655 or fill out our confidential contact form and someone will call you back immediately. Our office is conveniently located in Vineland, New Jersey and we have the experience and resources needed to help spinal cord accident victims. Call today!