Dallas Back Injury Attorney for Spinal Cord Injuries and Herniated Discs

The Serious Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries

Anyone who has ever had a sore back can attest that the smallest irritation can seem debilitating. As an integral part of the central nervous system, the spinal cord affects many other functions throughout the body. The spinal cord acts as a messenger between the brain and other body parts, and when a person experiences a spinal cord injury, they may suffer lifelong disabilities, loss of function, and, in some cases, death.

Spinal cord injuries can cause a disruption in the signals between the brain and spinal cord, impeding or even eliminating mobility and sensation below the site of the injury. Herniated discs, spinal cord compression, and severed nerves in the spinal cord all fall under the umbrella of this type of injury.

Depending on the severity of nerve damage, a person may suffer an incomplete or complete spinal cord injury.

Effects of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Incomplete spinal cord injuries refer to partial damage of the spinal nerves. These injuries allow for some degree of sensory or motor function below the level of injury. The extent of these remaining abilities depends on factors such as the severity and location of the injury.

Here are a few examples of how people may be affected by incomplete spinal cord injuries at different levels:

Cervical (neck) region

A person with an incomplete cervical spine injury might retain some use of their arms, but they may have limited dexterity in their arms and hands. They may require assistive devices like braces to aid mobility.

Thoracic (chest) region

A person with an incomplete thoracic spinal cord injury could regain partial control over their abdominal muscles while experiencing limited leg function that requires ambulatory aids for walking assistance.

Lumbar (lower back) region

An incomplete lumbar spine injury might lead to variable leg strength where a person may be able to walk short distances without assistance while struggling with balance or coordination issues. In these situations, injury victims may benefit from physical therapy that can help them improve muscle strength and coordination and adjust to partial paralysis.

Effects of Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

A complete spinal cord injury stops any nerve signals from being passed below the injury site, possibly resulting in total paralysis of the body parts affected. This means that they will lose all voluntary movement and sensation in certain parts of the body, and they may also lose control over bodily functions, such use of their bowels and bladder.

The effects experienced by people with complete spinal cord injuries can vary depending on where along their spine the trauma occurred:

Cervical (neck) region

Complete cervical spine injuries can result in quadriplegia or tetraplegia, which involves paralysis that affects both arms, both legs, and the torso. In these cases, an injury victim may need to use assistive devices such as a wheelchair for mobility, and they may even be unable to breathe without the use of a ventilator.

Thoracic (chest) region

Complete thoracic spine injuries generally cause paraplegia, which involves paralysis affecting both legs. A victim may retain upper body strength, but they may require a wheelchair for lower body mobility.

Lumbar (lower back) region

Complete lumbar spinal cord injuries will typically lead to a loss of sensation and movement in both legs. A victim may also experience challenges with bowel and bladder control.

Sacral region

Complete spinal cord injuries in the area around the tailbone can result in varying degrees of paralysis and loss of function in the hips, pelvis, buttocks, genitals, and lower extremities.

At Clark Law Group, we understand that spinal cord injuries are life-altering events, and they often require extensive medical care. We are dedicated to helping those with spinal cord injuries obtain the compensation they need and deserve to cover medical bills, long term disability care, lost wages, and other damages that result from these life-altering injuries.

Neurosurgery for Spinal Cord Injuries or Nerve Damage

Neurosurgeons focus on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the nervous system. They play a crucial role in addressing spinal cord injuries by performing procedures like:

The costs of these treatments can be very high, and victims may need months or even years to fully recover. In some cases, victims may still suffer permanent disabilities even after surgical intervention.

Contact Our Dallas County Back Injury Lawyers

Back and spinal cord injuries can alter the trajectory of the rest of your life. While money may not have the power to fully heal your injury, pursuing compensation after a severe back injury can provide a great comfort as you and your family take the necessary time to recover.

Clark Law Group is an experienced law firm with a long history of representing those who have suffered back and spinal cord injuries in Dallas County. Our attorneys understand the potential for catastrophic injury, disability, or even death that can result from these types of injuries, and we use our experience to aggressively fight on behalf of our clients to obtain the compensation they deserve. If a serious back injury has affected you or a loved one, contact our firm today to set up a free consultation. Call 469-906-2266 to speak with our team.

We serve clients in Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Grand Prairie, University Park, Carrollton, Plano, Irving, and Coppell.