The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that runs through the backbone in our spine, starting at the base of our brain and ending at our buttocks. The spinal cord acts as a superhighway between our brain and the rest of our body.
An accident that causes your backbone to break can also damage the spinal cord. And when the spinal cord is damaged, nerve impulses can’t get through to and from the brain. This results in paralysis — loss of mobility and sensation — below the level of injury.
The site of the injury determines what parts of one’s body are paralyzed. For instance, a spinal cord injury in the upper back or neck region of your spine will affect your arms as well as your trunk, legs and pelvic area (including bowel and bladder). Someone with this level of injury is considered to be quadriplegic. But a person with an injury to the mid or lower back region, will retain function of their arms. Someone with this type of a spinal cord injury is considered to be paraplegic.
Some facts on spinal cord injuries
- The most frequent cause of spinal cord injury is a motor vehicle collision. Other common causes include falls, diving accidents and medical complications.
- 84% of people who sustain a spinal cord injury are under 34 years old.
- 80% of people who sustain a spinal cord injury are male.
We understand the catastrophic effects that a spinal cord injury has on the injured person and their family and caregivers. Treatment, assistive devices, rehabilitation services and compensation are vital in helping the injured person rebuild their independence and improve their quality of life.
Contact us for a free consultation on your legal rights and the options available to you.
Let us help you. 519-428-8090
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, you need immediate access to medical and rehabilitation benefits. Once you leave the hospital, it is imperative that you be provided with homecare assistance. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you will also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, future loss of income, as well as future cost of care.
We can help. When you call us, we will ask for some basic information about the accident and injuries, and then we will book an appointment to meet with you.
BachmannLaw, The Personal Injury Group
101A Queensway East, Upper Level Unit 1, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4M5
Tel. 519-428-8090, Fax. 519-428-8082