Some of the most catastrophic injuries you can sustain are those involving your spinal cord. As part of your central nervous system, your spinal cord communicates with your brain and the rest of your body, so any harm that it suffers could leave you with a loss of sensation and issues with motor function.
But what are the most common types of spinal cord injuries, and what legal options can you pursue if another party caused you to suffer one in Florida? Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the Spinal Cord and What It Does
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibers that helps your brain communicate with the rest of your body. It carries signals that control movement, sensation, and many automatic body functions. Many nerves, including peripheral nerves, connect to the spinal cord and branch out to your arms, legs, and organs.
When the spinal cord is damaged, those signals may slow down or stop. This can affect how you move, what you can feel, and how your body works day to day. Because the spinal cord impacts so many systems at once, even one injury can lead to serious and lasting changes.
Spinal Cord Injury Location and Severity
Spinal cord injuries are often described by where they happen along the spine. The cervical spine is in the neck area and reaches down toward the shoulders. The thoracic spine runs through the upper and mid-back, roughly down to the area below the ribs. The lumbar spine is the lower back, and the sacral spine includes nerves near the tailbone.
Severity also matters. An incomplete spinal cord injury means you may still have some sensation or movement below the injury site. A complete spinal cord injury means there is a total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury. These differences can affect treatment needs and long-term outcomes.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Symptoms can vary based on where the injury occurs and how severe it is. Some symptoms show up right away, while others develop as swelling or nerve damage becomes clearer. Even injuries that seem minor at first can lead to serious problems.
Common symptoms may include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pain
- Weakness below the injury
- Loss of muscle control
- Muscles that stay tight or flexed
In severe cases, people may also experience autonomic symptoms, such as:
- Heart rate disruptions
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Erectile dysfunction
- Body temperature disruptions
- Blood pressure disruptions
The wide range of symptoms is part of what makes spinal cord injuries so devastating and difficult to manage.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Florida
In Florida, spinal cord injuries occur perhaps most often as a result of car accidents, especially those involving high speeds. The force involved in the crash can overwhelm the spine, causing it to twist or bend beyond what it can naturally withstand. Hitting your back against any surface can also damage the spine.
Falls are another common cause of spinal cord injuries in the state. You can violently hit your spine, breaking or dislocating vertebrae, which could damage nerves. Even slip and fall accidents can cause compression injuries. Sports-related injuries and intentional acts, like assaults, can injure the spinal cord, too.
Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury?
You may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover losses if your injury happened because of another party’s misconduct. You will need to establish that they owed you a duty of care that they breached, and that this conduct resulted in the spinal cord injury.
Suppose that you were partly responsible for the accident that caused your injury, though. You may wonder whether you can still file a claim.
Florida has modified comparative negligence laws that allow you to recover losses as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Keep in mind that your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of liability.
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available to Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Florida?
Spinal cord injury victims in Florida may seek both economic and non-economic damages. This compensation is meant to address the serious and often lifelong consequences of a spinal cord injury, including medical needs, lost income, and the personal impact on daily life.
Economic damages cover financial losses tied directly to the injury. Because spinal cord injuries are typically severe, these damages often extend far beyond initial treatment and may include long-term care needs.
Common economic damages may include:
- Emergency treatment, hospital stays, and surgeries
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Ongoing in-home care or assisted living services
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity or inability to return to work
In addition to financial losses, non-economic damages may also be available. These damages address the physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of independence, and reduced enjoyment of life caused by the injury. Together, economic and non-economic damages are intended to reflect the full scope of harm and help victims manage both current and future challenges resulting from a spinal cord injury.
Contact the Stuart Personal Injury Attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for Help Today
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of another party’s conduct, you may be able to receive compensation. To do so, you’ll have to file a personal injury claim. It’s crucial that you hire an attorney with experience pursuing these complex cases. There is too much at stake to attempt these claims on your own.
At Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we aren’t afraid to take on tough cases. Our Stuart personal injury lawyers have recovered over $500 million for injured victims throughout Florida, and we treat every client like family.
Let us assist you through this difficult moment in your life. Contact us to schedule a free case assessment today.
