The Different Ways One Can Sustain a Spinal Cord Injury

The body's command highway, the spinal cord, communicates to the brain and the rest of the body, but when this is damaged, the outcome can be life-changing. Spinal cord injuries can occur from everyday accidents, high-impact collisions, and even some health conditions.

Each year, thousands of people have to adapt to life-changing spinal trauma, which comes with a roundabout of treatments, rehabilitation, and lifestyle change. The recovery from these injuries often includes not only doctors but also legal professionals.

Hiring an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer is important to file a lawsuit and receive compensation if someone else's negligence caused your injury. This article aims to focus on the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.

Collisions and Crashes: Vehicular Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. SCIs from motor vehicle accidents often result from:

• Whiplash or spinal compression due to the force of impact.
• Ejection from the vehicle increases the likelihood of severe spinal trauma.
• Motorcycle and bicycle crashes, where riders lack protective barriers.

When Gravity Wins: Fall-Induced Injuries

What seems like a simple loss of balance can result in devastating consequences, particularly for specific vulnerable populations.

• Falls represent the second most common cause of SCIs across all age groups.
• Adults over 65 face increased risk even from ground-level falls.
• Construction and maintenance workers experience heightened danger from elevation work.
• "Same-level" falls on slippery or uneven surfaces can cause serious damage, especially with pre-existing spinal conditions.

Play at a Price: Recreational and Athletic Trauma

The pursuit of athletic excellence or recreational thrills sometimes comes with hidden dangers to the spinal cord.

• Diving accidents in shallow water cause most of sport-related SCIs.
• Contact sports like football and rugby carry significant risks during tackles and collisions.
• Extreme sports enthusiasts face unique dangers from high falls and impact forces.
• Winter sports injuries often occur during jumps, falls, or collisions at high velocities.

The Human Factor: Violence-Related Damage

Gunshot wounds, stabbings, and physical assaults can directly injure the spinal cord. These violent incidents often lead to:

• Bullet fragments or knife wounds penetrating the spine.
• Blunt force trauma from attacks, damaging vertebrae or spinal nerves.
• Lifelong paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Therapeutic Risks: Medical Complications

While modern medicine saves lives, mistakes can have severe consequences. Spinal cord injuries can result from:

• Surgical errors, such as misplaced incisions or improper spinal fusion.
• Delayed diagnosis of spinal conditions, leading to damage.
• Anesthetic complications affecting spinal cord function.

Conclusion

Spinal cord injuries, whether from a reckless driver, a misjudged dive, or an unexpected fall, share a common thread: they arrive uninvited, unannounced, and with life-altering consequences. In understanding how these injuries occur, we gain not just knowledge for prevention but also a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary journey of those who face them.

If you or someone you love is facing spinal cord injury due to accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice, reach out to a lawyer to get guidance on the legal process to hold the responsible party accountable.