Helping South Bay Clients Reclaim Their Lives
A person's life and future can change in an instant when they are struck or damage their spinal cord in an accident. Our spinal cords are extremely delicate, and any trauma can cause permanent nerve damage, rendering us unable to perform basic motor functions like walking or communicating. Such a serious injury can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars to treat in both emergency and future medical costs. Fortunately, if your injuries were caused by a negligent person or entity, you may be able to receive compensation by filing a personal injury claim against them. Our spine injury lawyers in Torrance have decades of experience advocating for the seriously injured. AgnewBrusavich is known throughout the community and has valuable knowledge and resources we can use to navigate your claim.
Call (310) 793-1400 for unparalleled legal services in the South Bay, or contact us online. We're committed to getting vulnerable members of our community the help they deserve after a serious injury.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can occur when the vertebrae, or bones around the cord, are damaged – in most personal injury cases, spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma in motor vehicle accidents and after falls or acts of violence. Because the spinal cord is responsible for creating feelings of sensation and body movement, injuring your cord can result in your brain's ability to communicate with the rest of your body.
There are various types of spine injuries a person can receive in an accident, all of which range in severity, including:
- Compression fractures: A compression fracture occurs when the vertebrae protecting the spine breaks because of trauma. A compression fracture may or may not lead to nerve damage, ligament damage, and spinal cord damage, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Cervical spine injuries: Your cervical spine is the area around your neck. Any trauma to this region can cause serious damage and paralysis because nearly all of your nerves have to go through this region to reach your brain and the rest of your body. Herniated discs can contribute to these injuries and cause arm and neck pain, as well as numbness to your arm, fingers, or hand.
- Thoracic spinal injuries: The thoracic spine refers to the 12 vertebrae in your upper and middle back, and injuries are most often caused by compression fractures when the vertebrae are jolted or struck. These types of injuries impact your sense of feeling in your legs and chest and can result in paralysis.
- Back injuries: Your lumbar spine refers to the five bones located in your lower back, and any injuries in this region typically include spinal fractures or disc herniation. Many victims require surgeries to install screws and rods to hold their backs in place.
- Paralysis: Perhaps the most serious type of spinal injury that can occur, paralysis involves losing one's ability to move or feel in one or various parts of the body.
You may hear the words “complete” and “incomplete” when referring to your injury. An incomplete spine injury means your spinal cord hasn't yet lost the ability to connect your brain and body, and you may still have sensation and movement in parts of your body. A complete injury refers to a person's complete lack of motor function and sensation.
Common Types of Paralysis & Treatments
If you've been paralyzed in an accident, different parts of your body may be impacted depending on where your spinal cord was damaged. If your vertebrae and nerves have been damaged at the top of your spine, for instance, it's possible both your arms and legs will be affected.
Some common types of paralysis include:
- Monoplegia, which impacts one limb (typically the arm or leg)
- Hemiplegia, which impacts one arm and leg on the same side of your body (left side or right side)
- Paraplegia, which affects both of your legs
- Quadriplegia, which affects both of your legs and your arms
Whether you've been immediately paralyzed in a serious car accident or have developed paralysis in the following days or weeks, there's no question that paralysis can transform your way of life and be expensive to treat. Some patients require extensive surgery and hospitalization for months on end, only to have to endure additional months and even years of physical therapy to heal. Patients will also need to invest in equipment like wheelchairs, lifts, and railings to retrofit their homes and provide for accessibility. All of these costs can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you call AgnewBrusavich, our lawyers are able to calculate the amount you need to safely heal and pursue that amount tirelessly.
Our spine injury lawyers are here to help if you've been injured in Torrance or the surrounding areas. Call us to take advantage of your free consultation at (310) 793-1400.