How Common Are Spinal Cord Injuries in the United States?

National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that approximately 282,000 people in the United States are currently living with spinal cord injuries. Although every SCI is unique, even a minor injury to the spine can affect the victim’s relationships, career, and enjoyment in life.

In addition to the personal and emotional hardships of an SCI, such an injury can cost a veritable fortune. Victims often cannot return to work, and many require a caregiver to help them complete routine tasks.

If you or someone you love sustained a spinal injury due to a botched medical procedure, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. Although no amount of compensation can undo the trauma of a spinal injury, you may be able to restore financial stability by filing a personal injury claim. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a Baton Rouge medical malpractice lawyer.

Why Are Spinal Cord Injuries So Devastating?

Some injuries are far more debilitating than others, and sustaining a spinal cord injury is almost always life changing. According to WebMD, the spinal cord contains nerve cells that are responsible for transmitting messages throughout the body. It plays a role in almost all of the body’s most vital functions. When spinal nerves sustain damage, they cannot transmit messages between the brain and the rest of the body, which often results in paralysis.

The location and severity of the injury ultimately determine how challenging living with the SCI is going to be. In many cases, patients regain some function several weeks or months after their injuries.

According to Musculoskeletal Key, some patients require up to 18 months to recover; however, the greatest gains in motor skills typically occur within the three months immediately after the SCI. Most patients experience the total extent of their recovery within nine months.

Living with a spinal cord injury or caring for someone with an SCI requires patience and persistence. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may have to learn how to manage:

Bladder problems;

Bowel problems;

Pressure Sores;

Spasticity; and

Lung problems.

What Will a Caregiver Do?

Caregivers can do everything from providing company and helping with household chores to giving medication and completing daily hygiene tasks. Your caregiving needs will ultimately depend on the severity of the paralysis and how many of these tasks your family can handle themselves.

Some people with spinal cord injuries require around-the-clock care while others only need help with errands on a weekly basis. Regardless of your caregiving needs, though, hiring anyone for anything is going to add to your expenses.

A spinal cord injury can have a devastating impact on your finances, but if your SCI was caused by a negligent doctor, you should not have to pay for medical bills and lost income out of your own pocket. A medical malpractice lawyer from The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm can evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a Baton Rouge spinal cord injury attorney. You can learn more about medical malpractice laws in Louisiana by visiting USAttorneys.com