The spinal cord is very fragile and is subject to severe injury in an accident. These injuries often result in permanent damage or substantial temporary disability and can lead to high medical bills, rehabilitative costs, and lost wages at work. These expenses can add up, but if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury, an experienced Boulder spinal cord injury lawyer can walk you through the steps of filing a claim and ensure that you achieve the maximum amount of damages available in your situation.

What are Spinal Cord Injuries?

A large network of nerves runs through the spinal column, known as the spinal cord. This cord sends nerve impulses from the brain and the rest of the body to travel along it, which allows the body to feel and control motor movement, among many other things. The cord travels from the brain down into the lumbar region of the back.

The cord is supposed to be protected by the vertebrae, the bones that make up the human spinal column. However, trauma from an accident or other causes can still damage this sensitive part of the body. Severe impacts can break or bruise vertebrae, or even bypass them completely. Regardless of the nature of an accident, spinal cord injuries can be incredibly severe and will often involve lengthy and difficult recovery periods. It is advisable to get in touch with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Boulder as soon as possible after an injury to ensure the best chance at financial recovery.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

The cause of a spinal cord injury can vary depending on the circumstances. One of the most common types of accidents that lead to these injuries are high speed motor vehicle crashes. Significant damage can result from these accidents, including permanent harm to the spinal cord. The symptoms of a spinal cord injury from a motor vehicle accident are often incredibly severe.

Medical malpractice is another common cause of spinal damage. When a medical staff member such as a doctor fails to properly uphold their duty of care toward a patient, that negligence could injure the patient’s spinal cord. A medical malpractice lawsuit may be the best way to demand compensation for the losses associated with these injuries. Spinal injury cases are complicated and may require a knowledgeable attorney in the Boulder area to properly handle them.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are several different types of spinal cord injuries that range in severity and may stem from different kinds of accidents. These types of injuries include:

  • Stretching of spinal cord
  • Bruising
  • Lacerations, partial or total
  • Twisting
  • Crush injuries
  • Perforation by spinal column or other objects
  • Spinal cord lesions

All of these injuries can lead to the following symptoms, some of which are permanent and some of which are treatable with extensive medical care. The symptoms a person may face will likely depend on the type of injury. These may include:

  • Loss of sensation in areas of the body
  • Paralysis, total or partial
  • Loss of sexual function
  • Loss of digestive self-control
  • Chronic pain
  • Breathing difficulties

In the most extreme cases, a spinal cord injury could result in the death of the injured person. A Boulder spinal cord injury attorney could help a family facing this situation determine the most effective path to recover damages.

Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Boulder Right Away

The physical and emotional pain that this type of injury can cause as well as the economic costs associated with this injury are significant. You should have to bear these burdens alone, especially if your injury was not your fault. An experienced Boulder spinal cord injury lawyer could represent your interests and fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.