The spinal cord is the control center of the human body. Trauma to the spinal cord can catastrophically affect your ability to function and result in permanent changes in mobility, strength, and sensation. These injuries are often caused by trauma due to the negligent actions of others.
At Oklahoma Injury Law Firm, our Oklahoma City spinal cord and back injury lawyers understand how a spinal cord or back injury can affect you and your family. Medical bills may mount, you may be off work for a prolonged period, and you may be uncertain of your future. Our legal team is dedicated to recovering the compensation you need and deserve following a personal injury. Contact us today for a free case review.
Common Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Injuries to the back or spinal cord can take many forms, including:
- Paraplegia, quadriplegia, and other types of paralysis
- Ruptured or herniated discs
- Compression fractures in the neck or back
- Fractured vertebrae
- Soft tissue injuries
If you were involved in an accident, monitor for the following symptoms:
- Pain traveling down the neck into the arms and hands
- Pain traveling down the back to the legs
- Loss of sensation or weakness in the extremities
- Bladder or bowel issues
- Balance issues
- Change in gait
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal posture you cannot control
Seek medical attention immediately so your injuries can be promptly diagnosed and treated.
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With over 45 years of experience, our legal team is dedicated to doing everything necessary to help our clients achieve complete recovery physically, mentally and financially.
Common Types of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Spinal cord and back injuries can take many forms, ranging from a minor sprain that resolves on its own to life-altering spinal cord injuries. These serious injuries can limit ability, interfere with your ability to work, result in chronic pain, and lead to uncertainty and fear about your future. Examples of severe injuries involving the spinal column and back accident victims may suffer include the following:
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury affecting the neck and back caused by the sudden back and forth motion of the neck. These injuries are common in rear-end collisions due to the rapid motion caused by the sudden collision and deceleration that occurs while the body is moving. This violent motion can stretch and damage muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs.
Herniated Discs
Discs in the spinal column can slip, bulge, or become herniated when the soft, jelly-like area of a spinal disc sitting between the vertebrae of the spine pushes through a tear. This can press on the nerves and may cause symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Numbness at or below the site of the injury
- Weakness
- Tingling
Some herniated discs can be treated with conservative medical treatments such as rest and physical therapy. Others require surgery.
Lumbar Sprains
Lumbar sprains are injuries to ligaments in the lower back, often caused by a sudden twist or excessive stress that cause overstretching or tearing. Symptoms include the following:
- Sharp pain
- Stiffness
- Diminished movement
Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves occur when a nearby structure, like a slipped or bulging disc, applies pressure onto the nerve, causing pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, and loss of sensation.
Classifications of Spinal Cord Injuries
Healthcare providers have different ways of classifying spinal cord injuries. The higher up the spine where the spinal cord injury occurs, the more it can affect your mobility and life. A complete injury is one in which you have no sensation or voluntary motor function on either side of the body below the site of the injury. An incomplete injury means you have some feeling or motor function below the site of injury.
For paralysis, tetraplegia refers to paralysis of all of your limbs. Paraplegia only affects the lower half of the body.
Common Causes of Back and Spinal Cord Injuries in Oklahoma City
Spinal cord injuries often occur because of a sudden and traumatic blow to the spinal cord. Leading causes of spinal cord damage and back injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car, truck, motorcycle, bike, and pedestrian accidents can involve significant forces strong enough to cause significant damage to the spinal cord.
- Slips and falls – Falls from heights, slips on properties, and falls during dog attacks can rupture discs and cause other serious spinal cord injuries.
- Sports injuries – High-impact sports account for about 10% of spinal injuries each year.
- Violent attacks – Gunshot wounds, stabbings, and other physical assaults can cause these injuries, too.
If your spinal injury was due to someone else’s negligence, contact a skilled Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer today.
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Is It Possible to Recover from a Spinal or Back Injury?
Every patient is unique, as is their prognosis. The potential for recovery depends on many factors, including the following:
- The cause of the injury
- The type of injury
- The severity of the injury
- The location of the injury
- Any steps that were taken to stabilize the victim and minimize damage at the time of the accident
- The victim’s physical health at the time of the injury
Whether you are suffering from a permanent injury or you are able to recover, it’s essential that your personal injury claim include the full extent of your damages so that you don’t have to suffer from financial distress due to someone else’s negligence.
Financial Compensation for Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord damage can result in serious injuries and significant financial losses. You may incur thousands of dollars in medical bills quickly. Medical treatments may focus on stabilizing your body, preventing movement to the affected area, and reducing swelling, as function may never be regained. Still, you may require months or years of therapies to focus on increasing mobility and living with a new normal.
Depending on the injury, you may be unable to work. You may be rendered permanently disabled. You may also suffer ongoing pain and trauma from reliving the experience. Oklahoma law allows you to seek compensation for the full value of your economic and non-economic damages.
What to Do If You’ve Suffered a Back or Spine Injury
The first thing to try to keep in mind after a back or spinal injury is that you need to be stable. Try not to move your body. Ask someone to call 911 for you and seek medical attention immediately so that proper steps can be taken to mitigate damage.
Even if you feel fine, it’s still best to be checked out. The symptoms associated with many back and spinal cord injuries do not always present at the scene of an accident, and you could have suffered from shock or a surge of adrenaline that alters your perception. Additionally, X-rays might not detect soft tissue damage, so you may require other diagnostic testing before your injuries are properly diagnosed.
As you seek medical treatment, keep all of your medical records. Also, contact an Oklahoma City back and spinal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Call Our Oklahoma City Spinal Cord and Back Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one recently suffered a back or spinal cord injury, call (405) 310-8800 and contact Oklahoma Injury Law today. We can discuss your legal rights and options during a free case review with an Oklahoma City spinal cord injury attorney.
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