Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries

Trauma to the neck or spinal cord can result in a disability and even permanent damage. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that approximately 18,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries every year. Of those, over 38% are caused by motor vehicle accidents, the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States.

Regardless of whether your neck or spinal cord injury stems from a car crash or any other type of accident, our experienced personal injury lawyers at the Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle & Wicker can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is one of the most serious types of personal injury because the spine is our body’s central support structure. The spine is an interconnected complex of bones, muscles, nerves, and ligaments that keeps us upright.

Trauma to the spinal cord can lead to catastrophic injuries and disabilities. Damage to the spinal cord can cause:

• Quadriparesis. Partial paralysis or weakness in all four limbs.
• Quadriplegia. Complete paralysis of all four limbs.
• Paraparesis. Partial paralysis of the lower limbs.
• Paraplegia. Complete paralysis of the lower limbs.
• Death

Traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by a sudden and severe hit to the spine. That is why car accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in the country.

Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Because symptoms of a spinal cord injury are not always immediately visible following an accident or traumatic event, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner you start your treatment, the greater your chance of recovery.

Anyone who has been involved in a traumatic incident must watch out for the following symptoms of spinal cord injuries:

• Muscle weakness
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities
• Loss of voluntary muscle movement in the arms or legs
• Muscle spasms
• Breathing difficulties
• Unconsciousness
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Digestive problems
• Loss of bowel and bladder function

Types of Neck Injuries

Often, neck injuries are mistaken for spinal cord injuries. However, neck injuries do not always involve trauma to the spinal cord. The neck is a vital body part that is prone to injuries in the event of traumatic events, including motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, slip and falls, and others.

The most common types of neck injuries are:

• Whiplash. A person may suffer whiplash when an accident causes your head to move forward and backward in a forceful and rapid motion.
• Herniated disc injury. A person may suffer a herniated disc after a sudden injury that tears a spinal disc and pushes its jelly-like nucleus against its outer ring.
• Sprains and strains, which occur when ligaments in the neck are torn (sprains) or muscles or tendons are torn (strains).
• Pinched nerve. A pinched nerve may occur when the bone, tissue, or tendon pushes against surrounding nerves in the neck.

If you have suffered a spinal cord or neck injury in an accident in Oklahoma City, do not hesitate to contact our personal injury lawyers at the Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle & Wicker to discuss your legal options. Call at 405-886-9660 to get a free consultation.