Experiencing a severe injury is overwhelming and often traumatic; the complications can be extreme, which can significantly impact your overall quality of life. Brain and spinal cord injuries are an especially serious classification of injury since these two body parts make up the central nervous system (CNS). The brain controls sensory, motor, and autonomic function while the spinal cord coordinates the body’s movements and sensations. When the brain and/or the spinal cord is damaged, the consequences can be dire. Here are a few crucial things to know about these types of injuries and how hiring a lawyer can help you attain justice if you’ve been a victim.
Causes
The leading cause of spinal cord injuries is motor vehicle accidents, accounting for roughly half of new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States. Some of the most common car accidents, including rear-endings, T-bone accidents, and motorcycle and car-related incidents, can result in extreme injuries for the drivers and passengers.
Additional causes of spinal cord injuries include falls, acts of violence, sports and recreational activities, alcohol, and diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Traumatic brain injuries are largely caused by similar incidents. Over 13% of spinal cord injuries are the result of violent encounters, most commonly gunshot wounds and knife wounds. Roughly 10% of spinal cord injuries are caused by impact sports or other recreational activities, such as diving. Alcohol use is a factor in approximately 25% of spinal cord injuries.
Symptoms
There is no single test that can verify a traumatic brain injury. While trained medical professionals use common diagnostic techniques, such as MRIs and CAT scans, these advanced tests can sometimes fail to detect an injury, making it all the more important to know which symptoms to look out for. Certain key symptoms that could indicate a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury are partial paralysis of facial muscles or limbs, loss or impairment of sensory abilities, impaired judgment, behavioral or personality changes, unexplained mood swings, and unusual sleeping patterns.
Long-term Risks
If left untreated or not treated adequately, brain and spinal cord injuries lead to adverse and long-lasting complications. Some of the most concerning long-term risks for brain injuries include the risk of prolonged or permanent changes in the individual’s state of consciousness, awareness, or responsiveness (i.e. coma, vegetative state, brain death). When it comes to spinal cord injuries, some of the most severe long-lasting potential effects can include the need for assistive devices (i.e. walkers or wheelchairs) or even paralysis from the neck down.
Seeking Justice
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain or spinal cord injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence (e.g. in a car accident), you likely want to gain justice and compensation to cover medical bills, emotional damages, and loss of income if you’re unable to work. Seeking the assistance of a brain and spinal cord injury lawyer is an excellent way to do exactly that. Legal proceedings concerning these types of injuries can be extremely complex, which makes it all the more desirable to have a licensed professional in your corner. They have the expertise to gather relevant information and build a case strong enough to secure compensation.
Are you seeking a specialized injury lawyer in the Olympia, WA area? Contact Olympia, WA Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for a free virtual consult.
Familiarizing yourself with the causes, symptoms, and risks associated with brain and spinal cord injuries may feel scary. However, arming yourself with this information, as well as the resources at your disposal to seek justice, is the best way to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from prolonged complications and sustain a higher quality of life.