Spinal cord injuries are often life-altering, leading to pain and suffering for years, if not permanently. These types of catastrophic injuries typically occur during vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, assaults, and falls, but may happen because of other situations as well.
If you are injured, it is important to know what to do after the incident and whether another person can be held responsible for the medical bills and suffering you are dealing with. Our St. Louis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer is here to discuss your case and help you learn more about your rights.
To understand spinal injuries, you must also understand the spine. The spine is typically defined by four areas: the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and sacral spine. The effects of a spinal cord injury often depend significantly on what area of the spine has been injured.
Along with location, the severity of the injury will determine the effects it will have on your life. Some of the most common symptoms include pain and muscle spasms. However, if the injury is severe enough, it may also cause:
Every situation is unique, and spinal injuries may affect each person differently. Therefore, this is not a complete list of possible symptoms of a spinal cord injury.
Knowing how to handle a spinal cord injury is essential. We have compiled a step-by-step guide to help you start on the road to recovery. Whether you file a personal injury claim or not, the following steps could help you get your life back.
Above all, we urge you to seek medical attention immediately if you feel that your back or neck was injured in an accident. This is because not all injuries are immediately visible, especially regarding the spine. Internal bleeding, swelling, and other symptoms may take time to manifest, and not seeking medical attention may cause further injury or death.
Once you have confirmed a spinal cord injury, you should take time to document your injuries. This will start with the medical records from your doctor but may also include:
Keeping track of all pertinent information about your injuries will help you in the future if you decide to pursue compensation.
Lastly, we encourage you to follow your doctor’s recommendations and the course of treatment that your doctor suggests. We do not want you to do anything that may further injure your spine.
When you have a spinal cord injury, medical bills and other losses are practically a guarantee. If you were injured in an accident that could have been prevented by someone else, you should not have to bear the burden alone. A legal team can help you establish that someone else has:
If you were not the one injured, but your spouse died because of a spinal cord injury, you may still have a claim. This is considered a loss of companionship.
The clock starts ticking the moment you sustain a personal injury. Missouri has a five-year personal injury statute of limitations, though you may have more or less time depending on your situation.
At McCready Law, we would like you to act now. Contact our St. Louis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer today to establish your claim.