Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Claims

There are various ways in which a person can suffer a spinal injury. A spinal cord injury can result from a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or an assault and can have devastating effects on both the victim and his or her family. The victim may have to bear lifelong medical costs associated with the injury.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord, which is a group of nerves in the spinal column that relays messages between the brain and various body parts. Damage to the spinal cord can result in complete or partial loss of sensation and motor control and paralysis in the lower extremities of the body or in all of the limbs. The spinal cord is responsible for a wide range of functions in the body including bladder control, breathing, sexual function, and body temperature. Spinal cord injuries can leave a person permanently disabled and struggling with serious health problems.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are normally caused by an injury or trauma to the spine. According to medical experts, the most common causes of spinal cord injuries are:

• motor vehicle accidents
• slip and fall accidents
• assaults or acts of violence
• sports and recreation activities

Spinal cord injuries may also result from medical errors during surgical procedures of the neck and the back. In some cases, medical errors are avoidable and the error may amount to medical malpractice.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Spinal cord injury lawsuits are based on the theory of negligence. If your injury is a result of a car accident or slip and fall accident on a broken walkway, you will have to prove that the other party is legally at fault, that the other party or person was negligent in their actions, and the negligence led to your spinal cord injury.

Some spinal cord injuries are caused by defective products. Dangerous or defective products such as defective airbags or seatbelts can exacerbate injuries suffered in a car accident. A defective ladder can cause a fall and lead to serious spinal cord injuries. If your injury has been caused by a defective product, you may the right to claim compensation from the company responsible for designing, manufacturing, or selling the product.

If your spinal cord injury is a result of another person or party’s negligence, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. You will need the services of a competent Missouri personal injury lawyer to prepare and litigate the case. Call the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200. We will help you at every step of the claim process and help you get the maximum possible compensation for your spinal cord injury.