Seattle Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur when the spinal cord is damaged, often leading to partial or complete loss of motor function, sensation, and bodily control below the site of the injury. These injuries can result from traumatic events like car accidents, falls, or acts of violence, as well as non-traumatic causes such as infections, tumors, or degenerative diseases.
Depending on the severity and location of the damage, SCI can cause varying degrees of paralysis (e.g., paraplegia or tetraplegia). Recovery is often challenging, requiring long-term medical care and rehabilitation, with legal and financial implications often arising from the circumstances surrounding the injury.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Seattle, Brumley Law Firm is here to help. Contact our Seattle personal injury attorneys to receive a free case consultation. Call (833) 832-2727 today to speak with one of our Seattle spinal cord injury attorneys to discuss your legal options.
What Is the Spinal Cord?
The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, which also includes the brain. It serves as a long, cylindrical bundle of nerves that extends from the brainstem down through the vertebral column, transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae and runs through the spinal canal, which is formed by these bones.
The spinal cord plays two primary roles:
- Motor Functions: It relays messages from the brain to muscles, enabling voluntary movement.
- Sensory Functions: It transmits sensory information (such as touch, pain, temperature) from the body back to the brain for processing.
Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt these functions, leading to conditions such as paralysis, loss of sensation, or autonomic dysfunction (affecting breathing, heart rate, etc.). The location and severity of the injury determine the extent of the damage.
The spinal cord is divided into different sections:
- Cervical (neck): Controls the head, neck, arms, and breathing.
- Thoracic (upper back): Controls the chest and abdominal muscles.
- Lumbar and Sacral (lower back): Controls the legs, bladder, and bowel functions.
Injury to any part of the spinal cord can result in significant physical and neurological impairments, depending on the site of damage.
Differences Between Complete and Incomplete SCIs
Spinal cord injuries can be categorized as complete or incomplete.
- Extent of Damage: In complete SCIs, the spinal cord is entirely damaged at the injury site, whereas in incomplete SCIs, some parts of the spinal cord remain intact, allowing for partial communication between the brain and the body.
- Function Loss: Complete SCIs result in total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury, while incomplete SCIs allow for varying degrees of preserved function.
- Prognosis: Individuals with incomplete injuries generally have a better prognosis for recovery, as some nerve signals still pass through the injury site, which may allow for partial recovery of motor or sensory functions with rehabilitation.
What Are Some Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Trauma-related spinal cord injuries are among the most common and severe causes of damage to the spinal cord. These injuries result from sudden, violent impacts or forces that cause direct harm to the spine and the nerves within it.
When these injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, legal liability may arise. Traumatic events that commonly cause SCIs include motor vehicle accidents, falls, acts of violence, and sports-related injuries. Here’s a breakdown of how traumatic events can lead to legal liability:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of SCIs and often involve negligence on the part of one or more drivers. When an individual sustains a spinal cord injury due to a car crash, legal liability can arise if:
- A driver was reckless or negligent (e.g., speeding, driving under the influence, texting while driving).
- Poor vehicle maintenance led to an accident (e.g., brake failure).
- Road conditions were improperly maintained by a municipality.
The injured party may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident, contact a Seattle accident attorney today.
Slip and Falls
Falls are a common cause of spinal cord injuries, particularly in workplaces, public spaces, or on private property. Legal liability may be established in cases of:
- Premises liability: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If someone falls due to hazards like wet floors, broken stairs, or insufficient lighting, the property owner may be held liable for the resulting injuries.
- Workplace safety violations: Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment. If a fall occurs due to unsafe conditions or lack of proper safety protocols (e.g., fall protection in construction), the employer may be liable under workers’ compensation laws, or a third-party may be sued if an equipment failure was involved.
Acts of Violence
Acts of violence, such as shootings or physical assaults, can result in spinal cord injuries. Legal liability in these cases may include:
- Criminal liability: The person committing the act of violence may face criminal charges, but the victim may also file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation for the injury.
- Third-party liability: In some cases, property owners, such as bars, schools, or apartment complexes, may be held liable if they failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable violence.
Sports Injuries
Spinal cord injuries sustained during sporting activities may also give rise to legal liability if:
- Negligence: A coach, sports organization, or facility could be held responsible if they failed to provide proper supervision, training, or safety equipment, or if dangerous conditions were allowed to persist.
- Product liability: If defective equipment (e.g., faulty helmets or protective gear) contributes to an injury, the manufacturer may be held liable under product liability laws
In order to recover compensation for your spinal cord injury, it is important to hire a Seattle spinal cord injury attorney who can help you gather evidence, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) vary depending on the location and severity of the damage. Some common types include:
- Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): Injury to the cervical (neck) region of the spinal cord, causing paralysis or weakness in all four limbs and the torso. It often affects respiratory function.
- Paraplegia: Injury to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions, causing loss of movement or sensation in the lower body (legs and sometimes the abdomen).
- Anterior Cord Syndrome: Damage to the front part of the spinal cord, leading to loss of motor function and pain/temperature sensation but preserving touch and proprioception.
- Central Cord Syndrome: Involves damage to the center of the spinal cord, typically affecting motor function in the arms more than the legs.
- Brown-Séquard Syndrome: A type of incomplete injury affecting one side of the spinal cord, causing weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and sensory loss on the other.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: Damage to the bundle of nerves below the spinal cord, leading to loss of function in the lower limbs and bladder/bowel control issues.
These injuries can have varying degrees of severity, ranging from partial loss of function to complete paralysis.
Contact a Seattle Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
Spinal cord injuries can leave lasting impacts, both physically and financially. If you or someone you know has been affected by such an injury in Seattle, it’s important to act quickly. The Seattle spinal cord injury lawyers at Brumley Law Firm offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today at (833) 832-2727 or use our online form to get in touch. Our experienced Seattle spinal cord injury lawyers are here to provide you with the support and guidance needed for your recovery journey. Don’t hesitate – reach out today!