A spinal cord injury can occur after a traumatic event that has left the cells in the spinal cord damaged or severed the nerve tracts that communicate signals down and up the spinal cord.

Compression, which is a result of pressure on the spine, and contusion, a result of bruises on the spinal cord, are the two most common kinds of spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Other kinds of spinal cord injuries include central cord syndrome (where the cortiscospinal tracts in the spinal cord’s cervical area are damaged) and the tearing or severing of nerve fibers (known as lacerations).

A serious SCI can lead to paralysis (where a person loses the ability to voluntarily move his or her body), loss of reflex function and sensation under the area of injury, and problems with autonomic activities (such as breathing) and bladder or bowel control. Sexual dysfunction, muscle spasms, and sensitivity or pain to stimuli are other symptoms that can arise over time.

SCI patients can develop secondary illnesses as a result of their spinal injury, such as bedsores, bladder infections, or lung infections.

The most common causes of SCI can vary depending on the person’s age. For adults older than 65, falls are the most common cause of SCI’s. For persons under 65, car accidents and other kinds of traffic collisions are the number one cause. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries:

• Electric shock
• Workplace accidents
• Extreme twisting of the trunk
• Diving accidents
• Stab wounds
• Bullet wounds
• Sports injuries, (including falling on one’s head)

The Berniard Law Firm understands the seriousness of a spinal cord injury and how such a traumatic injury can change a person’s life irrevocably. We want to help you achieve your immediate goals of making sure that you do not lose any wages while you undergo medical treatment, as well as getting your insurance company or the liable party to commit to paying your current and future medical bills related to your injuries.

Our personal injury lawyers will talk about your injury accident with you and help you sort through your options. We will do our best to take care of your needs quickly and with sensitivity to what you are going through. You also won’t have to deal directly with insurance companies or any other parties because we will do so for you.

If you sustained your spinal cord injury in Louisiana and you feel that your SCI was caused by someone else’s negligence, call The Berniard Law Firm to talk about your legal options. Call (504) 527-6225 or contact us online to schedule a FREE consultation.