Douglas County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

The spinal cord serves as the brain’s messenger to the rest of the body. If the cord is severed or otherwise damaged, paralysis and related complication may result. In turn, these physical injuries can lead to emotional and psychological problems, as well as immense financial costs.

In cases where another person is to blame for the injury – for example, careless or reckless operation of a motor vehicle or unsafe conditions causing a slip and fall – a catastrophic injury attorney could assist. If you suffer from a spinal cord injury and believe that someone else is at fault, consulting with a Douglas County spinal cord injury lawyer could be an important first step in securing your financial well-being.

Spinal Cord Injury Risk Factors and Causes

Spinal cord injuries disproportionately affect men, people between the ages of 16 and 30, and seniors over 65 years of age. Motor vehicle accidents and falls are the two most common causes of injuries to the spinal cord, accounting for about 50 percent and 15 percent of all injuries, respectively. Injuries to the spinal cord typically occur from a traumatic blow to the back that damages vertebrae protecting the spinal cord, which is comprised of soft tissue and nerve cells.

A properly functioning spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the muscles to control movement, as well as messages from the body to the brain regarding sensory perception, such as the presence of pain, bodily position, and temperature. Depending on where the spinal cord was damaged, these signals can either become limited or cut off entirely, causing some level of paralysis.

The Impacts of Spinal Injuries

The location and severity of the spinal cord injury usually determine the degree of paralysis. Where the spinal cord was damaged will impact which limbs and organs are affected, and the degree of damage will determine whether a victim maintains some feeling or ability to move or has no function at all in the affected area.

In victims suffering from paraplegia, the legs, pelvic organs, and trunk are affected; bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction frequently occur. Spinal injury victims with quadriplegia, a more severe form of paralysis, may also have little or no use of their hands, arms, and the entire trunk. In the most severe cases, paralysis impacts breathing and heart rate, requiring the use of a mechanical ventilator and pacemakers.

Injuries from spinal cord trauma are often life-altering. Hospital admission, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapy, vehicle and home modifications, home nursing care, learning how to handle day-to-day tasks, coping with the psychological impacts – it all adds up, physically, emotionally, and financially.

When it comes to finances, spinal cord injury victims may be unable to work, whether temporarily or permanently, complicating the burden of medical costs. Thankfully, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Douglas County may be able to help relieve some of this pressure through a civil claim.

Speak with a Douglas County Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today

After reviewing your case, a Douglas County lawyer familiar with spinal cord injuries could file a demand with an insurance company, or a lawsuit, on your behalf to recover compensation for your injuries. Recoverable damages might include current and future out-of-pocket losses, as well as money for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. Except for medical malpractice recoveries, which are limited to $2.25 million, compensatory damages are not capped in Nebraska. To take the first important step towards securing favorable compensation for your injuries, reach out to a Douglas County spinal cord injury lawyer from Inkelaar Law today.