New Orleans Medical Malpractice Lawyer Discusses 3 Reasons Why Spinal Cord Injuries Are Expensive to Treat

As if the physical pain wasn’t enough, many medical malpractice injuries are expensive to treat. They can also be immediately debilitating, preventing victims from returning to work or completing day-to-day activities.

A spinal cord injury is perhaps the most devastating of all medical malpractice injuries. The health-care expenses and rehabilitation bills from even a minor spinal injury can lead to insurmountable debt.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, recurring costs for patients with spinal cord injuries are often significant – to the extent that they are a burden on health-care systems across the country. Research estimates that the treatment of spinal cord injuries costs just less than $10 billion each year.

If you have suffered an injury after negligent treatment from a doctor or health-care worker, then it is important to remember that you are not alone. At The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm, we can evaluate the facts surrounding your case to determine if you may have valid grounds for a lawsuit.

A New Orleans medical malpractice attorney from our Firm may be able to help you recover damages from the negligent doctor, including medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. Call us today at (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.

In the meantime, read on to learn why spinal cord injuries can be so costly to treat:

1. Trauma Care

If your spinal cord injury is serious, then doctors will go to great lengths to prevent additional harm. A spinal cord injury can have an immediate impact on a wide range of bodily functions. Because of this, you may require emergency assistance from several medical specialists.

Trauma care in the United States is expensive, and in the case of spinal cord injuries, it may last for several hours. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this often means that the health-care expenses can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

2. Surgery

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, many people who sustain spinal cord injuries will undergo some form of surgery as doctors attempt to limit or reverse severe damage. Even if the spinal cord injury is not complete, the surgeon may want to resolve complications, such as a herniated disc or blot clot.

In complete spinal cord injuries, it is possible that the doctor will order surgery to stabilize the spine. This may help reduce future pain or deformity, but it is a costly procedure.

3. Other Medical Expenses

Many people who sustain spinal cord injuries suffer additional medical complications. According to the AANS, some patients develop pneumonia, ulcers and thrombosis. The expense of treating ongoing complications of spinal cord injuries, combined with rehabilitation programs, can ruin the finances of even wealthy victims.

If you are suffering from a spinal cord injury and you believe it was due to a doctor’s negligence, contact the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. Medical treatment and rehabilitation can be costly, but our New Orleans medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your claim and determine if filing a lawsuit would be in your best interests. Call us today at (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.