Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries of any severity often leave sufferers in pain and with more limited mobility. There are many different causes of spinal cord injuries, and often, another person’s negligence is a contributing factor. The Miami spinal cord injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon assist victims in pursuing proper legal action against those responsible for causing their harm. People dealing with spinal cord injuries need to focus on their rehabilitation and recovery, rather than the legal process. However, receiving financial assistance from responsible parties is also important to make sure that a victim’s quality of life remains reasonably intact following a life-altering injury.

Our attorneys handle legal issues from the initial investigation into an accident until the resolution of any claim. Our firm represents clients throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and West Palm Beach Counties in personal injury lawsuits arising from automobile accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle collisions, as well as slip-and-fall accidents. If you have been involved in any type of accident leading to injuries affecting your spinal cord, contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about our services.

A variety of accidents can lead to spinal cord injuries. Approximately 25 percent of these injuries result from a motor vehicle accident. Aside from motor vehicle collisions, other common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Falls, which are the second-most common cause of a spinal cord injury
• Medical negligence
• Bicycle accidents
• Defective products

An injury to the spinal cord results when the protective tissue or bones surrounding the vertebrae are damaged due to dislocation, fracture, or compression. Depending on the location affected, spinal cord injuries can have differing symptoms. These injuries are either complete, leading to total loss of function and sensation, or incomplete, when symptoms may include weakness, tingling, coordination issues, numbness, or pain. Cervical level injuries affect both the arms and the legs, and they may result in quadriplegia. Lumbar level injuries affect portions of the body below a victim’s waist, and they include paraplegia.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that victims suffering from significant spinal cord injuries often require millions of dollars throughout their lifetimes in order to receive proper care. When another party’s negligence has caused such an injury, they should bear the burden of the victim’s costs. Negligence occurs when a defendant breaches the duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances, causing the victim’s injuries and resulting in damages. In car accident cases, which account for over half of non-fatal spinal cord injuries, drivers operating motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol or otherwise acting recklessly can be found negligent.

If liability is shown, victims can receive damages for past and future medical costs, rehabilitative expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In assessing the amount of damages that is appropriate, a long-term life care plan is executed based on a victim’s medical, rehabilitative, psychological, social, and educational needs.

Spinal cord injuries vary in degree of severity, but they virtually always require medical treatment and sometimes lead to complete changes in a victim’s lifestyle. Injuries like these can result from negligent drivers, property owners, and others who carelessly put the well-being of those around them at risk. The Miami attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help victims make sure that those responsible for causing their spinal cord injuries are held accountable for their actions. Our attorneys offer compassionate and seasoned legal guidance to people in cities such as Miami, and West Palm Beach. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident or assistance with another potential claim.