Fighting For Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Oklahoma
At
Calvert Law Firm, our Oklahoma City spinal cord injury lawyer has a proven track record of helping individuals who have suffered serious trauma due to the negligence of others. Our team will fight for you and your rights as you recover from your injuries.
What Is A Spine Injury?
The spine is the main column of bones that connects your skull, ribs, and pelvis. The spine is made up of multiple bones called vertebrae, which are separated by discs and other connective tissues. The spinal cord runs through the center of the vertebrae, connecting the brain to the rest of the body.
Spinal cord injuries can occur when the spine is injured. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including pain, weakness, and loss of sensation.
Common Symptoms Of Spinal Cord Injuries
Recognizing the symptoms early can greatly impact the prognosis and the extent of recovery.
Common symptoms include:
- Paralysis: Paralysis is one of the most severe consequences of a spinal cord injury, which can be either partial or complete.
- Chronic Pain: Individuals may experience chronic pain, which can be neuropathic (originating from nerve damage) or musculoskeletal (arising from overuse or injury to the muscles and joints).
- Loss of Bladder and Bowel Control: Injuries to the spinal cord can disrupt the signs between the brain and the bladder and bowel, leading to incontinence or difficulty with bowel movements.
- Respiratory Issues: Higher spinal cord injuries, particularly those affecting the cervical spine, can impair respiratory function, sometimes necessitating mechanical ventilation.
- Spasms and Spasticity: Many individuals with spinal cord injuries experience muscle spasms and increased muscle tone, known as spasticity, which can be painful and limit mobility.
Common Types Of Spine Injuries
There are many ways that the spine can be injured, affecting different areas of the spinal cord and causing different symptoms:
- Traumatic brain injuries can cause damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
- Spinal cord contusion is a bruise of the spinal cord. It can cause temporary or permanent loss of function.
- A spinal cord compression occurs when the spinal cord is squeezed between the vertebrae or against a bone or ligament.
- A spinal cord dislocation occurs when the spinal cord is pulled away from the vertebrae.
- A spinal cord avulsion occurs when a part of the spinal cord is pulled away from the spine.
- A spinal cord lesion occurs when the spinal cord is damaged.
In addition to traumatic injuries, spinal cord injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice, pharmaceutical side effects, and defective products. The cause of your spinal cord injury does not matter; you may still have a valid claim for compensation.
