Experienced Fargo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Fargo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Find out why we are some of the best Fargo personal injury lawyers
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, the vital bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the brain down the back. [1]
When the spinal cord is injured, it disrupts the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This can result in a loss of sensation, movement, and function below the level of injury. The severity of the injury can vary greatly, ranging from mild to severe, and can be classified as either complete or incomplete.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
In a complete spinal cord injury, there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. This means that individuals with a complete injury will have no sensation or movement in the affected areas of their body.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that there is still some degree of sensory or motor function present.
Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can result in various degrees of paralysis depending on the location and severity of the injury. Two common types of paralysis associated with SCI are paraplegia and quadriplegia.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is a form of paralysis that affects the lower body and sometimes parts of the trunk. It typically occurs as a result of a spinal cord injury below the first thoracic vertebra. Individuals with paraplegia experience a loss of sensation and motor function in their legs, pelvis, and abdominal muscles.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, refers to paralysis that affects both the upper and lower body, including the arms, hands, trunk, and legs. Quadriplegia occurs as a result of a spinal cord injury higher up in the cervical vertebrae.
Globally, between 250,000 and 500,000 people each year suffer a spinal cord injury. [2]
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Fargo
There are many causes of spinal cord injuries. These are just a few:
- Car Accidents : Motor vehicle accidents can cause direct trauma to the spine, resulting in damage to the spinal cord.
- Falls : Falls are a significant cause of SCIs, particularly among older adults. Falls from height can lead to fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae, which can injure the spinal cord.
- Diving accidents: Diving into shallow water or hitting the bottom of a pool or lake can cause SCIs. The impact of a solid surface can compress or damage the spinal cord.
- Violence: Gunshot wounds and knife attacks can result in SCIs. These intentional acts of violence can cause direct trauma to the spinal cord, leading to severe injury.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Loss of sensation: Individuals with SCI may experience a loss of sensation, including the ability to feel touch, temperature, or pain below the level of the injury.
- Loss of motor function: SCI can result in the loss of voluntary muscle control. This can manifest as weakness or paralysis in the limbs or trunk, depending on the level of the injury.
- Impaired reflexes: Reflexes controlled by the spinal cord, such as the ability to withdraw a hand from a hot object, may become diminished or absent after a spinal cord injury.
- Changes in sexual function: SCI can affect sexual function, leading to difficulties with arousal, ejaculation, or achieving orgasm. These changes can cause significant emotional distress for injury victims.
- Loss of bowel and bladder control: Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt the normal functioning of the bowel and bladder, resulting in incontinence or difficulty emptying these organs.
- Breathing difficulties: Injuries that occur high on the spinal cord, particularly in the neck area, can impact the muscles responsible for breathing and require the use of respiratory assistance.
- Spasms and exaggerated reflexes: Some individuals with SCI may experience muscle spasms or exaggerated reflex responses, known as spasticity. This can result in involuntary movements or stiffness in the affected muscles.
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate: SCI can affect the body's ability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate. This can result in low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, or fluctuations in blood pressure levels.
- Chronic pain: Many individuals with SCI experience chronic pain, which can include nerve pain (neuropathic pain), muscle pain, or joint pain.
Related Information
Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Autonomic dysreflexia: Individuals with SCI at or above the level of T6 may be prone to autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure. This can be triggered by various stimuli, such as bladder or bowel distension, and requires immediate medical attention.
- Pressure sores: Individuals with SCI are at increased risk of developing pressure sores (bedsores) due to reduced mobility and sensation. These ulcers can be challenging to treat and may lead to infection or further complications if not properly managed.
- Psychological and emotional impact: SCI can have a profound psychological impact on individuals, leading to feelings of grief, loss, depression, anxiety, and decreased self-esteem. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is common, as traumatic experiences often cause these injuries.
- Secondary conditions: SCI can lead to secondary medical conditions, such as respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and deep vein thrombosis.
- Musculoskeletal complications: SCI can result in reduced muscle mass, muscle atrophy, muscle contractures, joint contractures, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. These complications can lead to decreased mobility, pain, and bone fractures.
Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries
- Emergency medical care: Immediate medical attention following a spinal cord injury is crucial to stabilize the individual and prevent further damage. This may involve immobilization of the spine, managing pain, and ensuring proper breathing and circulation.
- Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to decompress the spinal cord, stabilize fractures, remove fragments or foreign objects, or address other complications.
- Medications: Medications may be prescribed to manage specific complications associated with SCI, such as muscle spasticity, chronic pain, infections, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy focuses on improving muscle strength, range of motion, and mobility.
- Occupational therapy addresses activities of daily living and assists with tools and techniques for adaptive functioning.
- Assistive devices: Wheelchairs, walkers, or orthotics, may be prescribed to improve mobility and independence.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES): FES uses electrical currents to stimulate paralyzed muscles, allowing for controlled movement or functional tasks. FES can improve muscle strength, prevent muscle atrophy, and potentially improve certain functional abilities, such as walking or grasping objects.
- Assistive technologies: Various assistive technologies, such as voice-activated devices, specialized computer interfaces, and environmental control systems, can enhance independence and improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI.
- Psychological support: Psychological support and counseling, including individual and family therapy, can help individuals and their loved ones navigate the emotional and psychological impacts of SCI.
Research into new treatments and interventions for spinal cord injuries is ongoing. This includes experimental approaches such as stem cell therapy, nerve regeneration techniques, and neuro-prosthetics, which may hold promise for future advancements in SCI treatment.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get in Fargo, ND?
In Fargo, the courts can grant you compensation for your losses if it is found that your injury was due to the negligence of another.
- Medical expenses: This includes surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation therapy, medication, assistive devices, and home modifications. Compensation can cover these expenses, ensuring that you have access to the necessary healthcare services without incurring financial burden.
- Lost wages: This accounts for the income you have lost and will continue to lose in the future.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering can be awarded for the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life you have experienced as a result of your injury.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation may be available for the loss of love, companionship, and intimacy that has resulted from your injury.
Fargo Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence?
Our hard-hitting team of experienced Fargo spinal cord injury lawyers is here to help you seek justice. We will work tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable and secure the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs.
We will provide the legal guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Call our Fargo personal injury attorneys today to schedule a consultation.
Sources:
[1] Spinal Cord Injury. (n.d.). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury
[2] Bennett, J. (2022, May 11). Spinal Cord Injuries. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560721/
Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys
3523 45th St S,
Fargo, North Dakota 58104
(701) 409-1791
If you have recently experienced a spinal cord injury due to an injury in Fargo, we strongly recommend contacting our team of experienced lawyers for expert assistance and guidance. We are here to support you in navigating the legal process and seeking the compensation you deserve.
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