Spinal Cord Treatments Make Progress, No Cure

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One of the most well-known images representing spinal cord injuries is Christopher Reeve, the actor who portrayed the “man of steel” in the Superman films. Photographs of Reeve in a wheelchair swept the media after his near-fatal riding accident in 1995.

Even Time magazine printed an article, “Will Christopher Reeve Walk Again?” detailing how Reeve had almost no movement below his neck and needed a ventilator to breathe but still held on to the possibility that his condition would not be permanent.

Though Reeve passed away in 2004, his optimism was not in vain. Over the past 20 years, much of the puzzle surrounding the spinal cord has been put together. The question is no longer what treatments work best for an injured spine but how best to execute them.

But what should others with spinal cord injuries do until that last question is answered? And who is helping the victims of accidents based on negligence that never should have occurred in the first place?

The Spinal Cord Unraveled

A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic personal injury that changes one’s life (and his family’s) forever as it often results in partial or complete paralysis. At this moment, there is no cure or way to permanently repair a severely damaged spinal cord. As a result, the responsibility of caring for a loved one with such an injury is not easy for anyone involved.

The spinal cord is a group of nerves that is protected by layers of bone called vertebrae. The cord carries messages, or impulses, to and from the brain. If the layer of protective bones becomes damaged, the spinal cord can also be injured.

Spinal cord injuries may be caused by:

 Severe blows to the back during a fall or other trauma
 Accidents involving vehicles such as cars, trucks and motorcycles
 Construction site or workplace accidents when safety is not ensured
 Defective products such as seatbelts

The damage caused by a spinal cord injury also varies.

 Injury on the upper part of the spinal cord causes the most damage – including paralysis
 Injuries at the neck cause quadriplegia (being paralyzed from the neck down) or paraplegia (being paralyzed from the waist down).
 Injuries on the lower back cause impaired function of the lower body and organs

When to Seek Legal Help for Care and Expenses

If the injury occurred as a result of negligence in the workplace, an automobile accident where another driver was at fault, or is the result of some type of defective product such as a seatbelt, you may want to seriously consider obtaining legal representation.

A spinal cord injury will likely require lifelong care. The sooner you obtain an attorney, the sooner they can investigate the cause of the injury and prove how the accident happened. When dealing with a spinal cord injury, you have to consider many factors such as:

 Potential long-term medical expenses
 The quality of life for the injury victim
 The loss of wages and earnings
If your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may have a valid personal injury claim on your hands.