Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic events that cause the victims to make life-altering changes. These injuries can stem from a host of causes, but the fact remains that the issues they cause are very serious.
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a direct hit to the spine. They can also be the result of extreme torso twisting, falling from a significant height, diving into shallow water and making contact with the bottom and suffering from a severe jolt like a football tackle.
How will someone know if they suffered a spinal cord injury?
There are several ways that a person will know that they may have suffered a spinal cord injury. One of these is that they are unable to move their limbs like normal. Spinal cord injuries impact the area below the injury, so a person with a lower back injury may be unable to move their legs.
Pain or headaches are also signs of a spinal cord injury. The person may also experience unconsciousness, numbness in the extremities or an inability to control their bladder or bowels. Sometimes, there are external signs of the spinal cord injury. The head being positioned in an unnatural manner is a sign of a spinal cord injury in the neck.
Anyone who has suffered from a spinal cord injury should get immediate medical care. When the incident that led to the injury was due to the negligence of another person, the victim may opt to pursue a claim for compensation. This can help them to ensure the medical care costs and other financial damages associated with the injury are covered.