Westchester County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

The spinal cord allows the human body to stand up straight and move around freely. Without the spinal cord, we would not be able to complete our daily activities or responsibilities. Those who suffer injuries to this critical part of the body can experience substantial, if not catastrophic, limitations in their freedoms, and in the actions they can undertake. Taking precautions to keep your spine healthy and safe can help prevent and reduce the risk of an injury to the spinal cord.

Our team at Lever & Ecker, PLLC has the tools and resources to help you with your Westchester County spinal cord injury claim. If you suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may require extensive medical attention and treatment, including surgeries, together with associated out-of-pocket expenses and losses of income. When your injuries are the result of another person’s wrongdoing, you can seek compensation for the damages you incur.

Common Accidents that Cause Spinal Cord Injuries in Westchester County, NY

Spinal injuries can occur from virtually any type of accident, such as a car accident, a fall at a construction site or even a fall caused by a defective sidewalk. Your spine runs from your neck down into the top of your hips and is vulnerable to injury in the event of a significant accident. Consider the following common ways you can suffer from a spinal cord injury:

Motor vehicle accidents (including car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, etc.)
Slip/trip and fall accidents
Construction site accidents
Sports accidents

When you’re in an accident and suffer a spinal cord injury, the medical and treatment costs can be extraordinarily expensive. If another person’s negligence causes you to suffer severe injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for the damages you incur because of the accident, including for pain and suffering, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, and more.

Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Injuries: What’s the Difference?

The spinal cord is an essential part of the body’s central nervous system, containing nerves that send messages from the brain to the rest of the body. These nerves control motor, sensory, and many other functions that are crucial to the functioning of the body. Damage to the spinal cord or the nerves can result in short- and long-term effects, like immobility, numbness and even paralysis.

To properly diagnose and treat a spinal cord injury, doctors must determine which of the following two classifications the injury falls under:

Complete Spine Injury

A complete spinal injury means that a person will lose full mobility and sensation below the location of the injury and can have permanent damage. Complete spinal cord injuries are less common but more severe than incomplete spinal cord injuries. However, the injury does not need to be severe to fall under a complete spine injury. If an injury compromises the blood flow to the spinal column and affects the transmission of messages from the brain to the injured area of the body, it can still be classified as a complete spine injury.

Incomplete Spine Injury

When a person suffers an incomplete spine injury, they can hold some function and have mobility and feeling below the injured area. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, the amount of sensation and feeling can fluctuate. In some cases, people can regain feeling up to 18 months following the injury and continue recovering with time. These injuries are more common and less severe than complete spine injuries.

For individuals suffering from a spinal cord injury, understanding the differences and severity of the injury can significantly change the needs and requirements for recovery and treatment. The amount of financial losses you incur also can depend on the medical attention you need. Contacting a spinal injury lawyer can help you come up with the amount of compensation you can recover.

What Are the Four Levels of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Split into four sections; the spinal cord stretches from the neck into the top of the hips. Each section has different functions and dictates specific body controls. The severity of a person’s injuries depends on the location and section.

The four sections of the spine are:

Cervical spine injuries: The cervical spine section is at the top of the spine connecting with the neck. Injuries to this section are often the most severe due to the proximity of the injury to the brain. They can lead to permanent damage and complete or partial loss of movement and sensory function.
Thoracic spine injuries: Below the cervical section is the thoracic spine and includes the upper chest and mid-back. These injuries can cause you to lose sensation in the legs and even lose control of bowel movements.
Lumbar spine injuries: The third spine section is called the lumbar spine and holds most of the weight. For this section, injuries can cause some loss of function in the hips and legs.
Sacral spine injuries: The final section of the spine consists of just above the tailbone. Injuries in the sacral spine section can result in loss of sensation in the hips and uncontrollable bowel movements.

Because the spine is such a key player in how we move and interact with the world around us, injuries to the spine can stop us from enjoying our everyday lives and completing necessary tasks.

Trust a Dependable Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Westchester County Today

If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, immediately contact a doctor and look for the best treatment options. Then, contact a dependable spinal cord injury attorney at Lever & Ecker, PLLC. Our lawyers have years of experience guiding clients through medical and legal conflicts. We understand that an injury to the spinal cord is severe and impacts your life and those around you. Our goal is to make sure you have reliable and honest representation you can trust.

Call (914) 288-9191 and (718) 933-3632 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.