If the brain is the body’s command center, the spinal cord acts as the dispatcher. In very simple terms, the spinal cord acts like a bridge, carrying the brain’s orders to the body so that we can move, sense, and react, among other functions. Because the spinal cord plays such a vital role in regulating our body’s tasks and abilities, when the spinal cord is damaged, the consequences can be devastating.
First, there are the physical consequences, which can range from paralysis to problems with blood pressure and temperature regulation. Then, there are the emotional consequences, as the victim of the injury struggles to adjust to his or her new physical limitations. Finally, there are the financial consequences, as the victim and his or her family cope with the hardship of massive and never-ending medical bills.
Do You in a Lawyer in Order to File a Lawsuit for a Spinal Cord Injury?
Dealing with this triple-pronged challenge is hard enough — but when the accident could have been avoided, and was caused by someone else’s careless, negligent, or reckless behavior, coping with the consequences can feel next to impossible. Fortunately, you and your loved ones do not have to cope with these terrible consequences in silence — The Reiff Law Firm can help you file a lawsuit, and obtain justice for the suffering you have wrongfully been forced to endure.
When you work with an attorney from The Reiff Law Firm, you will be treated with compassion, care, and respect — and your case will be supported by decades of results-oriented legal experience.
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal column is a stack of vertebrae. The spinal cord is a thick cable of critical nerves which run along the length of the spinal column, relaying important messages between organs, limbs, and the brain.
There are two basic types of spinal cord injury (SCI): traumatic, and non-traumatic. Traumatic SCI refers to SCI caused by physical trauma (e.g. a car accident, a sports injury), while non-traumatic SCI refers to SCI caused by an internal condition (e.g. cancer, an infection).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the top four causes of SCI are ranked as:
- Auto Accidents
- Falls
- Violence
- Sports Accidents
Auto accidents account for approximately half of all SCI (46%). Falls, including slip and fall accidents, account for roughly one fifth (22%), while acts of violence account for 16% and sporting accidents account for 12%.
Who is Liable for Spinal Cord Injury?
If your spinal cord injury was caused by another party’s reckless behavior, improper care, or failure to obey safety regulations, he or she may be held liable for causing physical, emotional, and financial damages.
For example, 22% of SCI is caused by an accident where the victim is hurt by a fall. If you have a slip and fall accident due to factors like negligent sidewalk maintenance, slippery surfaces, or damaged flooring, you may have a strong premises liability case against the property owner.
Auto accidents are another major cause of SCI. If your injury was caused by an auto accident involving reckless or impaired driving, the other motorist is liable for the damages.
SCI can negatively impact every aspect of your life. If your SCI is someone else’s fault, he or she may be liable for the suffering they have inflicted. To arrange for a 100% free and private evaluation with a Chester County spinal cord injury attorney from The Reiff Law Firm, call our law offices at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online today.
