Can the Spinal Cord Repair Itself?
Unlike some parts of the body, the spinal cord does not have the ability to repair itself after it is injured. Once the spinal cord is severed, crushed, or damaged, the injury is permanent and leaves lasting effects.
At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd, our Providence spinal cord injury lawyers are committed to helping accident victims move forward with their lives after a serious injury. If you or a loved one were hurt due to someone else’s negligence, we can explain your rights and legal options during a free initial consultation.
Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury is categorized as either complete or incomplete. When an injury is described as complete, it means that the brain’s transmission of neurological signals has been completely severed. People with complete spinal cord injuries have no sensation or motor ability below the point of injury.
With an incomplete injury, the transmission of the brain’s neurological signals are diminished but not completely eliminated. Those who suffer incomplete spinal cord injuries can have little mobility but moderate sensation or vice versa; they may be able to move parts of their bodies but retain little sensation.
The prognosis for a spinal cord injury victim depends on the location in the spine where the injury occurred, that is, the level where injury was inflicted. The higher the injury to the spine, the more devastating the impact is on the body. When complete injuries occur in the neck, victims may be left totally paralyzed below the site of the injury with no sensation or body control.
Injuries that occur lower in the spine affect the body parts below the injury. This could mean that a person loses control over bodily functions, the use of his or her legs, or sensation.
A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic event that can have devastating consequences, such as:
- Full or partial paralysis
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of sensation
- Loss of control over bodily functions, such as bowel or bladder control
- Loss of control over breathing, which could necessitate the use of a respirator
- Loss of the ability to speak
- Impaired movement, requiring a wheelchair
- 24-hour care and assistance with daily life activities
In many cases, spinal cord injury victims cannot return to living their lives the way they once did. When these injuries are the result of negligence, spinal cord injury victims deserve justice and compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Moving Forward After A Spinal Cord Injury
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case. A knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the investigation of your injury, the preparation and effectiveness of your case, and the amount of compensation you can recover in a settlement or verdict.
Depending on the details of your case, an attorney may help you recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Assistive care
- Adaptive technology
- Physical and psychological therapy
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Case
A spinal cord injury, especially one that has resulted in paraplegia, tetraplegia or quadriplegia, will diminish your quality of life immeasurably. If your spinal cord injury was the result of someone’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can give you the best possible chance to recover the full compensation you deserve for your current and future losses.
The spinal cord injury attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair and Mandell, Ltd. have substantial experience in handling these difficult cases. Our extensive knowledge about spinal cord injury claims gives your case a distinct advantage. We can:
- Thoroughly investigate your accident and injury
- Gather pertinent evidence
- Identify the party or parties who may be responsible for your injuries
- Calculate the value of your damages, both today and in the future
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
Call a Providence Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
The spinal cord injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd have been fighting for the rights of seriously injured clients for over 45 years. In addition to achieving landmark decisions in a wide range of personal injury cases, our firm has helped change Rhode Island law.
We understand the hardships you may be facing. We are committed to recovering the full and fair compensation you need to move forward.
Call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd today at (401) 273-8330 to speak with a knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer for free. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not pay us any attorney fees unless we achieve a favorable outcome in your case.