The Causes, Costs and Consequences of an SCI

1. UNDERSTANDING SPINAL
CORD INJURIES
The Causes, Costs and Consequences of an SCI
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2. THE SPINE: A MARVEL OF THE
HUMAN ANATOMY
The spinal cord is a complex system of nerves, bones, joints
and discs. Think of the spinal cord as the central roadway of
the human anatomy, on which messages from the brain
travel to the rest of the body. These messages enable
movement and physical sensations. The spinal cord is
remarkably strong. However, if the spinal cord is damaged,
it can lead to several serious physical limitations.
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3. CONSEQUENCES OF SPINAL
CORD INJURIES
Spinal cord damage can be painful and restrict some of the
body’s most routine functions. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can
result in:
 Brain damage
 Breathing difficulties
 Loss of bladder function
 Loss of sexual function
 Numbness
 Spasms
 Paralysis www.wnwlaw.com

4. HOW SPINAL CORD
INJURIES HAPPEN
Spinal cord injuries can occur in several different settings. They
typically happen when the impact of a collision causes a break in
the vertebrae (the bones) of the spinal cord. That collision can be
the result of a vehicle crash or a slip and fall accident, to name
just a couple of examples. In some cases, it is a prolonged
exposure to repetitive actions that prompt a spinal cord injury, as
is often the case in jobs that require heavy lifting.
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5. SPINAL CORD INJURIES IN
VEHICLE CRASHES
The sheer force of a collision between two vehicles or
a vehicle with a stationary object can lead to a break or
several breaks of the spinal cord. In serious crashes,
the body can be thrown into contorted, unnatural
positions, furthering the risk of suffering a spinal cord
injury.
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6. WORKPLACE SPINAL
CORD INJURIES
Workers in all types of jobs can suffer an on-the-job spinal
cord injury, but they are especially common in jobs that
involve heavy machinery or require a worker to do their job
from great heights. For example, construction workers
might suffer a spinal cord injury after falling from a rooftop
or from scaffolding. Workers can also suffer repetitive stress
injuries that happen over the course of years, often from
constant heavy lifting or repeatedly bending over. www.wnwlaw.com

7. TYPES OF SPINAL CORD
INJURIES
Spinal cord injuries are often classified by
location of the break, disc injury or nerve
damage. The four areas of the spine are:
Cervical spine (at the top)
Thoracic spine (in the center)
Lumbar (near the bottom)
Sacral (at the very bottom) www.wnwlaw.com

8. WHEN SCI LEADS TO
PARALYSIS
A break in the spinal cord can have devastating consequences, the
most severe being paralysis. Different types of paralysis include:
 Incomplete Tetraplegia: partial loss of control and sensation in all
four limbs and the torso. These cases make up 45 percent of all
neurological damage in spinal cord injuries.
 Incomplete Paraplegia: partial loss of control and sensation in the
lower extremities. These cases make up 21 percent of all neurological
damage in spinal cord injuries.
 Complete Paraplegia: total loss of control and sensation in the lower
extremities. These cases make up 20 percent of all neurological
damage in spinal cord injuries.
 Complete Tetraplegia: total loss of control and sensation in all four
limbs and the torso. These cases make up 14 percent of neurological
damage in spinal cord injuries.
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9. COST OF SPINAL CORD
INJURIES AND PARALYSIS
Paralysis is an extremely costly medical condition. Note that the
following estimates from the National Spinal Cord Injury
Statistical Center do not include indirect costs, such as lost
income or loss of productivity.
 The average lifetime costs of a 50-year-old with tetraplegia
range from $2,125,674 to $2,599,411.
 The average lifetime costs of a 25-year-old with tetraplegia
range from $3,455,879 to $4,729,788.
 The average lifetime costs of a 50-year-old with paraplegia are
$1,517,851 and total $2,312,846 for a 25-year-old with
paraplegia.
 Even the loss of any motor function from a spinal cord injury
can cost a 25-year-old victim over $1.5 million.
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10. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
Every case of spinal cord injury is different; however, many
of these injuries are due to the negligence of another
person or persons. For example, a vehicle accident SCI
could be the fault of a careless driver. A workplace SCI
could be the fault of an employer who put their workers in
a dangerous situation. Determining who is responsible for
an injury is very important, because the injured person
might be entitled to compensation to help cover the
tremendous costs of their injury.
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11. The spinal cord injury attorneys at Wapner Newman Wigrizer Brecher & Miller have
years of experience helping clients get the compensation they deserve. We
understand that your spinal cord injury will burden you with incredibly high lifetime
expenses. We also believe that you shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone
else’s mistakes. If you’d like to learn more about your legal options, contact Wapner
Newman Wigrizer Brecher & Miller to schedule a free consultation.
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IF YOU NEED HELP…