Spinal Cord Compression Can Lead to Paralysis

When you experience a significant blow to your spinal cord you may have experienced a spinal cord injury, or SCI. The trauma that your spinal cord has endured can cause you to lose crucial functions of your body. For you to experience paralysis, the blow to your spinal cord does not have to have been extreme. Just a bit of pressure to your spinal cord can cause you to experience early signs of paralysis.

When the spinal cord is compressed, serious injuries are more likely to happen. In some cases, the paralysis will be temporary, but if treatment is delayed or additional trauma occurs, that paralysis may become permanent.  If your spinal cord has been compressed in an accident that was not your fault, reach out to a Los Angeles spinal injury lawyer from McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, to help you fight for compensation.

What is compression of the spinal cord?

Your spinal cord can experience compression when something presses against the bundle of nerves. This something can be a piece of your bone, blood that has spilled from a popped blood vessel, or a herniated disc. Compression of the spinal cord usually happens as a result of other injuries. If you experience bleeding in the brain, for example, that blood can travel from the brain into the spinal cord.

The damage from other injuries can cause compression to your spinal cord. Injuries like dislocated bones, internal bleeding, tumors, and abscesses can place additional pressure on the spinal nerves. Even if your spinal cord has not experienced any significant blow, your vertebrae can become severely fractured by other injuries that you have experienced.

What are the symptoms of spinal cord compression?

The pressure caused by compression can affect the roots of the spinal nerves. Compression can either be mild, moderate, or severe. When the spinal cord has been mildly compressed, you may experience temporary symptoms, including slight muscle weakness, pain or discomfort around the back or neck and changes in sensation.

When your spinal cord has been moderately compressed, you may experience symptoms that affect your nerve impulses. Some moderate symptoms include numbness, serious muscle weakness, and a loss of bladder control.

Severe compression of the spinal cord can cause a complete loss of sensation or paralysis. If you are experiencing any symptoms in general, that is usually a red flag. It may be a sign that your spinal cord has experienced some damage from an accident.

How is spinal cord compression diagnosed?

It is very important to seek medical treatment immediately when your spinal cord has been compressed. You can prevent the damage from becoming worse by seeking a diagnosis and treatment. Physicians will use several diagnostic tests to determine specifically where the damage is on your spine. In fact, the first test that you will have performed is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI can help determine where compression is specifically happening around the spinal cord.

Am I entitled to compensation for my spinal cord compression injury?

A compressed spinal cord can increase the chances of paralysis. When you have been paralyzed, you have completely lost the function within your affected body part. In some cases, doctors can relieve the pressure on your spine through surgical procedures. Regardless, you will have to pay for expensive medical procedures. One way that you can seek compensation for the expenses that you need is by filing a personal injury claim.

When you file a spinal injury claim, you have the chance to sue a person or party for their role in your accident. If you can prove that the other person’s negligence was directly connected to your spinal cord compression injury, you are more likely to receive the compensation to which you are entitled. More than likely, your claim will be resolved through a settlement. Just like yourself, the insurance companies do not want to settle the matter in court and take up more time.

Many people with spinal cord injuries must go through the at-fault person’s insurance company for compensation. The coverage that insurance companies provide is meant to cover your damages. In addition to your medical expenses, you can seek compensation for your lost income, pain and suffering, and even loss of quality of life.

Unfortunately, you and the insurance agents want different outcomes with your claim. You want to receive the most compensation possible, and they want you to have nothing.

How a Los Angeles spinal injury lawyer can help you

With your spinal cord injury, you want to get the most compensation possible from your claim. You also want to prevent making any mistakes that can cost you your settlement. A Los Angeles spinal injury lawyer can help make both of these outcomes a reality for you. Instead of worrying about the insurance agents’ actions, you have a lawyer who will work to ensure the right parties are held accountable.

Our attorneys use their negotiation skills to prove why you are entitled to maximum compensation. Insurance agents will try to lowball you at every moment, but our lawyers can negotiate on your behalf and refute any false claims.

One tactic that insurance companies use is to threaten to take a case to trial as a way of intimidation. An experienced lawyer knows how to let insurance agents know that they are not afraid of a trial and will begin to collect the right evidence to use against the defendant.

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we understand how life-changing a spinal cord injury can be. Our Los Angeles attorneys are compassionate and aggressive and ready to fight on your behalf. Call our office at 310-474-1582 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Please note that this blog is not to be construed as legal advice. Because every case is fact-specific, you should consult directly with an attorney to obtain legal advice specific to your situation.