Columbia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

A healthy spinal cord is fundamental to the function of our entire nervous system. An injury to this sensitive and vital area of the body can cause a range of problems, including those that are both permanent and life-altering. Injures are unfortunately, not a rare occurrence and sometimes those are injuries that might been avoided. Our Columbia, SC spinal cord injury lawyers can offer advice as to whether your situation has the basis for a lawsuit and the best means of pursuing it. 

Spinal cord cases involve a lot of money and that requires an attorney who’s experienced at dealing with high-dollar verdicts and understands how to negotiate with insurance companies and persuade juries. Mann Blake & Jackson has won settlements of $50 million and higher. From our Columbia office, we serve all of South Carolina. Call today at (803) 525-1645 or contact us online to set up a consultation. 

The Ways Spinal Cord Injuries Can Happen

A car accident is among the most common ways people can injure their spinal cord. The very nature of the accident can cause both the head and neck areas to suffer a severe jerking. Truck accidents fall in the same general category, only more severe because the collisions are coming with a larger vehicle. 

Motorcyclists can be at high risk of a spinal cord injury. They are being struck by a larger vehicle and virtually certain to be thrown from their bike at high speed. Wearing a helmet can be lifesaving and it can prevent injuries—but it can’t stop all of them. Injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists can have the same devastating impact. 

Certain jobs are more susceptible to spinal cord injuries than others and the construction industry is certainly among them. Workers can be at elevated heights. Heavy objects can fall and cause injuries. In fact, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports the injuries from people falling or objects falling on them, totals in the thousands. Spinal cord injures are going to be among them. 

The nursing home and other assisted living facilities are venues where spinal cord injuries happen. The cause can be staff that is negligent in helping a resident keep their balance while walking. There can be an equipment or staff failure when a resident has to be lifted from a bed to a chair. The elderly can be more susceptible to falls and more vulnerable to serious injury when a fall does occur. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can be broadly divided into two categories. The first is an injury that is considered complete. In this case, the spinal cord has been severed, with none of the pathways that govern all of its functions able to be preserved. Then there is the incomplete spinal cord injury, where some neural pathways are still functioning, offering the possibility of at least some level of recovery and independence. 

The consequences of any spinal cord injury can be severe. Everything from mobility to sensory perceptions to the ability to control one’s bladder and bowels can be reduced, if not eliminated. Breathing problems can be one of many aftereffects. These consequences might be temporary, but they can also be permanent.