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Our knowledgeable Pensacola spinal cord injury attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon recognize this serious injury can cause a myriad of physical, psychological and financial damages. Our lawyers strive to help spinal cord injury victims hold those responsible for their injuries liable via personal injury litigation and negotiations.

Read on to learn more about these injuries and when to contact a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer. For immediate assistance, please call or contact us online today. Our spine injury attorneys offer free consultations.

Spinal Cord Injury Overview

The spinal cord is an extremely sensitive part of the central nervous system. It is made of complex nerve cells whose function is to carry messages along the spinal cord between the brain and the body. When these nerves are harmed, the essential communication process is disrupted, impeding the brain’s ability to control parts of the body.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is trauma to the spine that fractures or dislocates the vertebrae, leading to impaired function or complete loss of reflexes below the injury site. SCI may result from a direct blow to the spinal cord or from damage to the surrounding bones, tissues and blood vessels.

There are two types of spinal cord injury: complete and incomplete. Individuals who suffer from a complete SCI are fully disabled, while those with incomplete SCI may have some feeling or movement ability below the injury site.

Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis

Spinal cord injuries are often obvious shortly after a traumatic event. A SCI is usually diagnosed when the patient notices loss of feeling or function below the injury site. However, to determine the severity level and location of the injury, the spine is closely examined using imaging technology, such as CT scans and MRIs.

These tests also help medical practitioners detect any blood clots, herniated discs or other masses that may be compressing the spinal cord. In such cases, immediate surgical intervention may be necessary.

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

In case of spinal cord injury, immediate medical attention is key to preventing further damage and limiting the effects of permanent disability. Immobilizing the spine is the first step in treating SCI. Most Pensacola spinal cord injury patients are admitted to an intensive care unit, where spinal cord specialists work to locate and identify the type of spinal cord injury in order to develop an effective treatment plan.

Sadly, many effects of spinal cord injury cannot be reversed. SCI victims typically undergo extensive therapy that focuses on preventing secondary medical conditions that may develop as a result of SCI. The next phase of the recovery process is SCI rehabilitation. During this phase, spinal cord injury victims learn to maximize their muscle strength, mobility and independence.

Recently developed technologies, including assistive equipment, can be utilized to help patients become more independent and, in some cases, restore some body function.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Pensacola

The most common causes of damage to the spinal cord are traumatic accidents, including car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, gunshot wounds and sports injuries. Car and trucking accidents account for more than 40 percent of all spinal cord injuries alone, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

If not treated promptly, additional damage may occur in the days following the initial injury due to bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around the spine. SCI can also be non-traumatic. For example, some patients who suffer from arthritis and cancer develop spinal cord injury.

Contact a Skilled Pensacola Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love have suffered a spinal cord injury due to another individual’s negligent behavior, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

To learn more about your legal rights, please contact the Pensacola spinal cord injury lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. For a free consultation, please send an online message or call today.