|
 |
SPINAL CORD INJURY
Over 10,000 people in the US suffer a spinal cord injury, also called SCI, each year. SCI is defined as any damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function or mobility. Such injuries can be caused by trauma or disease and can result in temporary or permanent loss of sensation, loss of movement (paralysis), or loss of bowel or bladder control. Auto accidents are the primary cause but violence-related accidents have been increasing steadily as a cause of SCI’s. Falls and sports accidents also cause many SCI’s each year. There are two types of injury – compete and incomplete. A compete injury is one in which the victim has no sensation or voluntary motor movement on either side of the body below the level of the injury. If the victim has some feeling or partial movement, it is called an incomplete injury. Injuries are usually defined with reference to the area of the spine affected. Nerves in the spine are defined by the area of the vertebrae – an injury to the spine in the neck area will affect the cervical vertebrae – injury to the nerves at the fifth cervical vertebra is called a C-5 injury, for instance. Below the neck are the thoracic vertebrae, so injuries there are defined as T-1, etc. Then there are lumbar and sacral vertebrae. Generally speaking, neck injuries will lead to paralysis of all limbs (quadriplegia) while thoracic injuries cause paralysis to the lower limbs only (paraplegia). Both areas have variations in the amount of dysfunction, depending on the severity of the injury. An incomplete cervical injury can leave the patient with some hand use, while a complete injury at C-4 can require the patient to be on a ventilator. Thoracic injuries can leave the arms functional but interfere with walking, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. Other functions that can be affected are blood pressure, body temperature, and pain levels. A spinal cord injury usually involves swelling of the spinal cord which affects the whole body. When the swelling goes down, the patient may regain function months or years after the injury but it is rare for all functioning to be recovered. Treatment presently consists of stabilizing any broken vertebrae, maintaining the patient, preventing movement to the injured area, and reducing swelling. There is no cure for SCI but stem cell research has shown some signs of being useful in the future. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, call J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. at (305) 461-1095 or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations so please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisments. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own legal situation. Copyright © 2005 J. P. Gonzales-Sirgo
– Florida personal injury attorneys, motor vehicle accident lawyers and medical malpractice
attorneys, serving Miami, Coral Gables and cities throughout Southern Florida.
Lawyer
Websites – Attorney Websites – Law Firm Websites designed by MegaHunter, Inc.
Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Disclaimer: The Florida spinal cord injury, back injury, personal injury and/or other legal information offered herein by J. P. Gonzales-Sirgo, Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers, is not formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based only upon the facts of that particular case and offer no promise or guarantee on the outcome of any case. This site is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Florida. |
 |