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What is a spinal cord injury?

December 19, 2017

Every year thousands of men and women suffer serious injuries in negligence-based accidents. Vehicle accidents on Kentucky roads can result in broken bones and serious trauma to victims, and dangerous products can leave unsuspecting consumers with life-threatening ailments. While any part of a person’s body can be impacted by a serious incident, spinal cord injuries are somewhat common and can be very serious.

The spinal cord is a grouping of nerves that run down the back bone. It is surrounded by vertebrae, which are round bones that protect the spinal cord and hold it in place. The spinal cord carries messages from the brain to all parts of a person’s body, such as those neurological messages that make the appendages move and the lungs breathe.

When a person’s spinal cord is damaged, their body may no longer be able to receive messages from the brain in the locations that are below the point of the injury. For example, if a person suffers a spinal cord injury in their middle back, they may lose movement and sensation in their legs. This can result in paralysis and other serious medical complications.

While some spinal cord injuries may heal over time, others may be permanent afflictions that will impair a person’s ability to fully enjoy their life. The costs of living with a spinal cord injury can be significant and, in some cases, the victim of a spinal cord injury may not be able to work to support themselves after their accident.

When a catastrophic injury results from a negligence-based accident, a victim may have the right to seek compensation for their losses. Compensation may be sought through civil lawsuits that prove fault on the part of the negligent parties and demonstrate the harm the victims suffered and endured as damages.