West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers Aid Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries
Helping West Virginians disabled by negligent injuries to the central nervous system
According to Johns Hopkins Hospital, there are about 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) each year. The most common sites of injury are the cervical (neck) and thoracic (trunk) areas. SCI is a cause of permanent disability and death in children and adults and is most common in men and young adults.
Paulson & Nace, PLLC, our distinguished family owned and managed firm of West Virginia personal injury lawyers, is well-known and highly regarded for its service to victims of spinal cord injuries in our state. We have helped individuals and families with compassion and competence to obtain the compensation they deserved for disabling injuries caused by other people’s negligence. We can help you too.
What, exactly, is a spinal cord injury?
The spinal cord is a major component of the central nervous system. It is a soft, rope-like bundle of nerves that extends from the base of the brain through the neck and the spinal column, to the lower back. The spinal cord is the means by which the brain communicates with the nerves in the body’s internal organs, arms, and legs. The spinal cord is protected by the bones of the spine, which are called vertebrae. Discs of cartilage lie between adjacent vertebrae to cushion them and allow the spine to bend. A traumatic injury to the spine can result either in a bruise, a partial tear, or a complete tear or transection in the spinal cord. Some kinds of spinal cord injury can be treatable, such as by removal of bone or cartilage pressure. But an injury that severs the spinal cord or its root nerves causes a permanent decrease or absence of movement, sensation, and body organ function below the level of the injury.
What are the types of SCI?
SCI can be divided into two main types:
- Complete injury. Occurring at any level of the spinal cord, complete injury means that there is no function below the level of the injury and both sides of the body are equally affected.
- Incomplete injury. Also occurring at any level of the spinal cord, incomplete injury means that there is some function below the level of the injury. This can be movement in one limb more than the other, feeling in parts of the body, or more function on one side of the body than the other.
What can damage the spine?
The spine is particularly susceptible to injury by twisting, compression, and impact. Any force capable of twisting or bending it beyond its normal limits of movement, or of displacing any of the vertebrae or discs, is also capable of damaging or severing the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it. These kinds of injuries typically happen during slips, falls, automobile accidents, or other kinds of blunt force trauma. Sports injuries tend to involve combinations of those forces.
Aggressive West Virginia lawyers fighting for when spinal cord injury victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence you should seek the counsel of a qualified personal injury lawyer. Paulson & Nace, PLLC’s distinguished family of attorneys offers the compassionate, personal, and professional attention you deserve. We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia for both our comprehensive legal services and our aggressive advocacy for victims of spinal cord injuries and paralysis caused by other people’s negligence. When you choose a personal injury attorney from our practice to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by spinal injuries. Let our family help you and yours.