Can a Spinal Cord Injury Be Fatal?

There are approximately 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) sustained in accidents in the United States every year. However, while SCI can be immediately fatal, most patients make it through the first stages of injury and recovery. Unfortunately, this is only the initial hurdle.

For survivors of spinal cord injury, the dangers don’t end after leaving the hospital. Respiratory disease, severe infections, and other secondary complications remain the leading cause of death for victims of SCI, especially during the first post-injury year.

If your family is facing the unthinkable loss of a loved one after a spinal cord injury, Rhode Island’s wrongful death laws might allow you to seek accountability and financial compensation for your losses. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our Providence wrongful death lawyers have spent nearly five decades helping families just like yours. We are here to listen to your story, help you understand your rights, and guide you towards the best possible outcome.

Contact an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer for Free

To schedule your FREE and confidential consultation at our Providence office, please call 401-273-8330. Based in Providence, our wrongful death lawyers assist families throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts in seeking justice after the untimely loss of a loved one.

Life-Threatening Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries often result in lifelong complications. Some of these make working difficult, require home and lifestyle modifications, and necessitate frequent, if not constant, medical assistance. Others can be fatal, even years after the initial injury takes place.

Secondary complications, both fatal and non-fatal, that can arise from spinal cord injury are related to the area of the spine that has been injured. These can include:

Cervical Injury (C1-C4)

Injury to the cervical spine can result in diaphragmatic paralysis, neurogenic shock, and autonomic dysreflexia. These can cause respiratory failure, uncontrolled blood pressure, and cardiac arrest, among other serious concerns.

High Cervical Injury (C5-C8)

Injury to the neck area can cause weakened intercostal muscles, impaired cough, and other respiratory issues. Pneumonia and other respiratory infections are common with these injuries. Pneumonia, along with septicemia, is the leading cause of fatal SCI complications.

Thoracic Injury (T1-T12)

Complications that can arise from injury to the thoracic spine include loss of trunk stability and autonomic dysreflexia. These can result in pulmonary embolism, uncontrolled hypertension, and an inability to control body temperature.

Lumbar/Sacral Injury (L1-S5)

Injury to the lower spine can result in bowel and bladder dysfunction, chronic ulcers, and pressure sores. These increase the risk of urinary tract infections and fatal septicemia complications.

SCI at Any Level

Spinal cord injury at any level can have profound, potentially fatal systemic effects. These include deep vein thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, recurrent skin breakdown, and unchecked infections.

Recent studies have found that SCI-related deaths due to cancer, heart disease, stroke, arterial diseases, pulmonary embolus, urinary diseases, digestive diseases, and suicide are declining. However, fatal complications from endocrine, metabolic and nutritional diseases, accidents, nervous system diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental disorders are all on the rise for victims of spinal cord injury.

The risk of death from SCI complications is highest during the first year post-injury. However, life expectancy for victims of spinal cord injury remains significantly lower than that of the uninjured population.

What Happens When a Loved One Dies from SCI Complications?

When you lose a loved one to complications from a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to seek compensation under Rhode Island’s wrongful death act. However, these claims might operate differently from standard personal injury claims.

In Rhode Island, wrongful death claims are brought by a representative of the deceased’s estate. This person may be named in the will or appointed by the court. They will represent all eligible family members during the case. If there is no representative of the estate or if the representative does not take legal action within six months, certain family members can bring a wrongful death suit as well.

Depending on the circumstances, surviving children, spouses, and other legal dependents can file suit to seek damages for:

• Final medical bills
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income, benefits, and household support
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and care
• Pain and suffering endured both by the family and the victim

For a wrongful death claim to be successful, it must be shown how another party’s actions or inactions caused the injury. No matter if it’s a drunk driver, an inattentive property owner, or a negligent healthcare provider, the outcomes are often the same, and the consequences for families are often economically and emotionally devastating. Making sure the actions of the negligent party are highlighted is one of the most important jobs your fatal SCI injury lawyer will perform.

Our Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyers Are Here to Help

When a loved one sustains a spinal cord injury in an accident, it can throw a family’s life into chaos. When that same injury results in complications that prove fatal, it can be very difficult to know where to turn for help. Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is here to offer support, guidance, and the opportunity to seek justice.

Our Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers bring:

• Nearly 50 years of experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. We are thorough in both investigations and case preparation, helping us build strong cases that seek maximum compensation.
• Access to specialists and experts in various fields who can review medical records, assess damages, calculate future expenses, and help ensure the damages you seek are sufficient for your family’s current and future needs.
• Unflinching trial readiness that allows our lawyers to take claims as far as needed in pursuit of justice. We make every attempt to settle, but will take cases to court when negotiations fail.
• A history of securing large settlements and verdicts for victims of SCI and families dealing with the loss of a loved one. We don’t get paid until after we have won your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay for our services.

No dollar amount can fill the space a loved one once occupied. There are, however, practical considerations, financial burdens, and future concerns to be taken care of. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our mission is to ease these burdens, shine a light on what went wrong, and deliver the justice your family deserves.

Talk to a Rhode Island Wrongful Death Lawyer for Free

If you have lost a loved one to a spinal cord injury complication, reach out online or call our Providence office to schedule a complimentary case review right away. We are here to listen, prepared to take action, and ready to fight for the justice and closure you deserve.