Spinal Cord Injury

Serving Chattanooga, Tennessee

Over 10,000 people in the US suffer from spinal cord injuries every year, many caused by accidents that were the result of someone else's negligence.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the United States. Depending on the type and severity of the spinal cord injury, this can lead to temporary or permanent damage, including:

• Full or partial paralysis
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of controlled body function, including bladder and bowel control

Complete and incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, are classified as complete or incomplete.

Complete SCIs are those in which the victim loses the ability to move voluntarily, and has no sensation in the affected areas. This may include one side of the body, or every area below the site of the injury.

Incomplete SCIs are those in which the victim experiences decreased ability to move and feel, but not full loss of function or sensation.

Location of the injury

In addition to the complete/incomplete classification, SCIs are classified by the area of the injury. Generally speaking, the further up along the spine the injury is located, the greater the affected area.

Those who suffer from injury to the cervical vertebrae, or neck injury, will experience the effects of their injuries from the neck down. If the injury is located lower, along the back, the upper body above the injury site will be unaffected.

The costs of SCI

Whether permanent or temporary, complete or incomplete, any injury to the spinal cord can have long-term effects on its victims.

Those who have suffered from a spinal cord injury may require assistance with:

• Immediate and ongoing medical treatment
• Physical therapy
• Assistive devices such as wheelchairs
• Modifications to their homes and vehicles
• Compensation for lost wages
• Compensation for lost future income
• Treatment for psychological trauma

If you or someone you care about has suffered a Tennessee Spinal Cord Injury as a result of someone else's negligence, you owe it to yourself and to your family to consult with an experienced attorney like Herbert Thornbury, who can help you understand and plan for the challenging times ahead.

To discuss your spinal cord injury case with our caring and experienced Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys, call or email our Chattanooga, Tennessee office today.