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Spinal cord injuries can uproot your life, leaving you to adjust physically, emotionally, and financially to a new normal. Without financial relief, the cost of home and vehicle modifications, ongoing medical care, and rehabilitative therapy can quickly become overwhelming. Hiring Reno spinal cord injury lawyer Stephen Osborne can help ensure you obtain the compensation you need to get through this difficult time. Studies show that injured victims who hire a catastrophic injury attorney to handle their cases win an average of three times more than victims who fight the insurance companies alone.

What Are the Top Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Accidents involving high-impact or sudden force can cause spinal cord injuries. Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and slip and fall accidents are all common causes of spinal cord injuries. Medical malpractice can cause spinal cord injuries, too.
Reno spinal cord injury attorney Stephen Osborne understands how a disabling injury can impact your life. Since 1992, our Reno law firm has been helping spinal cord injury victims recover compensation in cases involving:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents occur every day in Reno, and are one of the top causes of spinal cord injuries. Commercial truck accidents are especially likely to cause injuries to the spine. The immediate and forceful impact of auto collisions can cause severe injury to the bones and nerves in your spine.

Pedestrian Accidents

Because pedestrians are not protected by the confines of a passenger vehicle, they are at high risk of suffering spinal cord injuries if they are hit by a car. Distracted driving may increase the risk of pedestrian accidents because drivers are inattentive to road signs and conditions, or do not look before making a turn, for example. Intoxicated driving likewise carries a higher risk.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Wet or slippery floors, icy parking lots, and uneven flooring can cause you to lose your balance. For people over the age of 65, slip and fall accidents are a common cause of spinal cord injuries. Falls from heights and tripping and falling down stairs or escalators can cause spinal cord injuries as well.

Motorcycle Collisions

Because motorcyclists are only protected by their helmets and protective clothing, even minor motorcycle collisions can cause serious injuries to the motorcyclist’s internal organs and spinal cord. Likewise, without the stability of four wheels, the motorcycle may tip and fall over, possibly resulting in serious injury to the motorcyclist.

Medical Malpractice

Improper manipulation of the back by chiropractors and negligence by emergency room staff or surgeons may cause spinal cord issues. Medical malpractice during childbirth can result in serious birth injuries. A physician’s failure to identify spinal cord injuries such as a ruptured disk may cause an injury to worsen.

What Are the Three Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spine injuries include complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries, spinal cord contusions, and nerve damage. Duration and severity of symptoms partly depends in part on the injury’s location.

Complete spinal cord injuries can be fatal. If your loved one died because of a spinal cord injury, you may have a wrongful death claim. In any scenario, our Reno attorneys can help you understand your options after a spinal cord injury.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Complete spinal cord injuries can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the location of the injury. Severe damage to the lumbar area of the spine can cause a complete breakdown in communication between the brain and the lower part of your body. Acute damage to the thoracic or cervical area of the spinal cord may cause you to lose control of your legs and arms. If you suffer from a complete spinal cord injury, you may lose all bodily sensation and control below the injury.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Incomplete spinal cord injuries occur when damage is inflicted on nerves in the spinal cord. Unlike complete injuries to the spinal cord, incomplete injuries typically do not result in complete paralysis; however, such injuries to the spinal cord can cause limited function or sensation below the injured region. This limitation can be permanent or temporary. Additionally, if you suffer from incomplete spinal cord injuries, you may experience nerve pain, possibly requiring you to take nerve medications and undergo expensive treatments.

Spinal Contusions/Nerve Damage

Bruising of the spinal cord can cause spinal contusions. Spinal contusions and nerve damage are generally the most common spinal cord injuries. Athletes are particularly susceptible to this type of spinal injury because of the blunt trauma that can occur during sports. Car accidents, falls, and contact sports can cause nerve damage. Spinal contusions and nerve damage are treatable. If diagnosed and treated at the first sign of injury, people with these conditions may have a full recovery.

What Damages Can Spinal Cord Injury Victims Recover?

  • Medical expenses. You may be entitled to reimbursement or payment for medical expenses such as surgery and rehabilitative therapy.
    Lost wages. Spinal cord injuries can keep you from working. You may be entitled to payment for loss of income.
  • Home Modifications. If living with your injury requires modifications to your home, you may receive compensation to cover these costs.
  • Wheelchairs. If you need a wheelchair or crutches because of your injury, you may receive compensation to cover the cost.
  • Pain and suffering. You may receive compensation for the human cost of the injury to your spinal cord.
  • Punitive damages. If intentional or reckless acts caused your injury, the wrongdoer may have to pay punitive damages as punishment.

Talk to a Reno Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

You are encouraged to contact a Reno spinal cord injury lawyer at your earliest convenience after seeing a qualified physician. You may have an approaching deadline to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit, which, if missed, means whoever caused your injury may not be held accountable. Reach out today to learn more.