Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
Brain and spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe injuries a person can sustain. In many cases, trauma to the brain and spinal cord can result in death. In others, it can result in paralysis or lifelong ailments.
Monetary compensation can’t undo the damage done by a brain or spinal cord injury, but it can alleviate the burden of medical costs and other costs associated with your injury. If you work with a lawyer, you can get the compensation you need.
Common Sources of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
A brain or spinal cord injury can happen almost anywhere, but these are some of the most common causes:
Effects of a Brain Injury
Brain injuries come in many forms, and range from mild to severe. If you experience a brain injury, you may see symptoms like dizziness, headaches, changes in mood, depression, loss of vision, disorientation, and even short-term memory loss.
To make matters worse, these symptoms can be hard to notice or predict. They may not begin to emerge until the days following your initial injury, and they may change or grow worse over time. In some cases, a brain injury can permanently impact how you think, act, and feel.
Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are similarly complex. Your spinal cord is responsible for sending signals to the rest of your body, so any impact on its functionality can affect the rest of your body. Commonly, severe spinal injuries result in some form of paralysis, including “incomplete” paralysis (where you have at least some motor or sensory function in the affected area) and “complete” paralysis (where you have lost all motor and sensory function in the affected area).
Paralysis is often referred to paraplegia or tetraplegia, based on the areas it effects. Paraplegia affects the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. Tetraplegia or quadriplegia can affect everything from the neck down.
Recognizing a Brain or Spinal Cord Injury
One of the most challenging factors associated with brain and spinal cord injuries is the fact that they’re difficult to discern—and they can grow worse if they don’t receive proper medical attention immediately.
If you were in a car accident or a workplace accident involving your head and/or neck, you may not realize the effects right away. The symptoms may not set in immediately. It’s therefore important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve experienced much damage.
Additionally, if someone has sustained a brain or spinal cord injury, it’s vital that you don’t move them unnecessarily. Moving someone improperly can result in additional damage.
Compensation for Your Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
If you’ve suffered a brain or spinal cord injury, and it was due to the actions or neglect of another person, you may be entitled to compensation. You may receive compensation for any or all of the following:
If you’ve suffered a brain or spinal cord injury, after getting medical attention, one of your highest priorities should be speaking with a lawyer. Your initial consultation will help you understand your case. From there, you’ll be able to put together a strategy, and decide whether to accept a settlement or take the case to court. Schedule a consultation with Manny Arce today to learn more!