Fairfax, VA Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Pursuing Lifelong Compensation in Fairfax, Virginia

The spinal cord serves as the communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. It transmits the signals that allow a person to move, feel sensations, control their bodily functions, and interact with the world. When the spinal cord is damaged in a car accident or another type of accident caused by negligence, the consequences can affect every aspect of a person's life. In many cases, these consequences are permanent, resulting in lifelong disabilities.

The medical care that will be needed after a spine injury can be extensive, and the costs of this treatment may be massive. A person may need to make adjustments to their daily life, and they may be unable to perform work or other activities that they had done in the past. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can help clients address spinal cord injuries caused by the negligence of others. He will work to ensure that an injury victim will be fully compensated for their damages and that they will have the resources they need throughout the rest of their life.

The Anatomy of a Spinal Cord Injury

The spine is divided into four regions: the cervical region in the neck, the thoracic region in the mid-back, the lumbar region in the lower back, and the sacral region at the base of the spine. Each region of the spine can affect a person's ability to feel sensations and control movement in specific areas of their body. The location of a spinal cord injury will determine how a person may be affected.

Injuries higher on the spine tend to affect larger portions of the body, and in many cases, they will lead to severe, widespread disabilities. A cervical spinal cord injury may lead to paralysis in all four limbs and the main trunk of the body, which is known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia. Injuries lower on the spine may leave a person's upper body functions intact while affecting the lower extremities. This is known as paraplegia. Lower-level spine injuries may also affect a person's bowel and bladder control and sexual functions.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Herniated Discs

Between each of the vertebrae in the spine, cushioning is provided by structures known as discs. When the spine is compressed or twisted in an accident, a disc can tear or rupture. This is known as a herniated disc. When a ruptured disc presses against nerves or the spinal cord, a person may experience sharp pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of function in parts of the body connected to those nerves.

Compressed Nerves

Nerve compression, sometimes called a pinched nerve, can be caused by a herniated disc, swelling around the spine, or bone fragments that press against the spinal cord. When a nerve is compressed, this may lead to pain, burning or tingling sensations, or numbness. In some cases, nerve compression may be treated through physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications. In more serious cases, surgery may be required to relieve the pressure on nerves and prevent permanent nerve damage.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged but is not entirely severed. In these cases, some neural pathways may remain intact, allowing the brain to communicate with parts of the body below the level of the injury. However, these communications may be disrupted, which may limit the use of certain parts of the body.

The consequences of an incomplete spinal cord injury will depend on which nerve pathways have been affected. Some people with incomplete spinal cord injuries may be able to maintain motor functions and sensation, and they may continue to walk on their own or with assistance. Others may experience a more serious loss of function, and they may need ongoing assistance with daily activities.

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the nerves are severely damaged, and no sensory signals will be able to pass from the brain to the affected parts of the body. Below the level of the injury, a person will experience a total loss of movement and sensation. This condition is permanent, and there is no way to repair a spinal cord that has been completely severed or severely damaged.

The consequences of a complete spinal cord injury will depend on where the injury occurred. Injuries to the cervical spine in the neck can lead to quadriplegia/tetraplegia. Some injuries may also affect a person's ability to breathe, and they may need to use a ventilator to stay alive.

Injuries in the thoracic region of the spine may cause paraplegia. A person may be able to use a wheelchair and maintain some independence, although adaptive equipment and physical therapy will typically be required.

Injuries in the lumbar and sacral regions can affect the lower extremities and pelvis. Some people may maintain partial function in their legs, and they may be able to walk with braces or other assistive devices. Injuries in this region may affect bladder and bowel control and cause other ongoing difficulties.

Contact Our Fairfax, Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney works with medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to ensure that he has a complete understanding of how a person has been affected by a spinal cord injury and the limitations that they will experience during the rest of their life. He will work to ensure that the compensation a person receives will fully address their ongoing needs and account for both financial losses and the personal impact of an injury. Contact our Fairfax spine injury lawyer at 703-591-0067 to set up a free consultation and get help with your case.