Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Spinal cord injuries are often devastating, life-changing events that result in a partial or permanent loss of sensation, strength, and movement. Unlike many other injuries, a spinal cord injury could severely impact an accident victim’s quality of life. When another’s negligence causes these traumatic injuries, the at-fault party should be held financially liable.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, our Maryland spinal cord injury lawyers fully understand the effects a severe spinal cord injury could have on the emotional and financial wellbeing of an accident victim. Our team is dedicated to holding those responsible for these devastating injuries accountable for the pain they have caused.
It is critical to have sound and experienced legal advice if you or a loved one experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury. To speak with a seasoned attorney, call our law offices at (410) 694-7291.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Maryland
A spinal cord injury occurs when the vertebrae, spinal column, discs, or spinal cord suffers a sudden or traumatic blow. Some of the most common causes of spinal injuries are listed below.
Automotive Vehicle Accidents
Car, truck, and especially motorcycle accidents can result in devastating injuries, including catastrophic injuries to the back and spinal cord leading to partial or permanent paralysis.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents lead to more serious injuries than most people realize. The possibility of a more severe spinal injury increases as one ages. In fact, slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal injuries in people over the age of 65.
Sports Injuries
Sports such as football, hockey, and basketball are high-impact games where bodies collide into each other with great force. These collisions often lead to injuries, including spinal cord injuries. Another common cause of spinal injuries is diving into shallow water.
Medical Malpractice
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a surgical error, misdiagnosis, or birth injury. Medical professionals can make costly and life-altering mistakes.
Defective Products
When a product is defective, it could be dangerous to the person who is using it. When that product is a piece of construction equipment or a safety mechanism in a truck, it could lead to a devastating accident and spinal cord injury.
The above list is not meant to be exhaustive. Our experienced Maryland spinal cord injury lawyers have handled other types of accident cases that have resulted in devastating spinal injuries.
Common Signs of Spinal Cord Injuries in Maryland
If you are experiencing any symptoms of spinal cord trauma, you should immediately seek medical treatment. In some accidents, a spinal injury will be serious to warrant emergency care or surgery. In other situations, the spinal injury could take days or even weeks to develop.
You should not hesitate to have your back and neck examined if you have been in a physically traumatic incident or accident.
Some common symptoms associated with spinal cord injuries include difficulty breathing, involuntary muscle spasms, loss of control of your bowels or bladder, numbness in your extremities, stinging painful sensations, burning, or a loss of mobility.
The spine is divided into three regions: the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic. the symptoms you experience will often depend on what part of the spine was injured. In most cases, the lower the injury is on the back the less likely the victim is to experience server symptoms. This is because the area is the furthest from the brain.
Thoracic Injuries
The lowest part of the spine is the thoracic region. Typically, injures to this area are not as severe. Nonetheless, an injury to the thoracic region could still limit mobility, cause numbness, and result in blood pressure problems.
Lumbar Injuries
The mid-section of your spine is the lumbar area. Damage to this region will usually impact one or both of your legs. Additionally, if this part of your spinal cord is damaged, you could experience a loss of control of your bowels and bladder.
Cervical Injuries
The most severe spinal cord injuries usually occur in the cervical, or upper, region. These injuries, which are closest to the brain, will often impact the entire body. For example, in addition to limiting mobility, an injury to the cervical region could result in complications with a victim’s heart or lungs.
Damages Available in Maryland for Spinal Cord Injuries
Financial compensation will never alter the life-changing complications associated with a severe spinal cord injury. However, a monetary award could offset treatment costs and allow a victim to move forward more comfortably. Our Maryland spinal injury cord attorneys will fight for many different types of damages.
Medical Expenses
If your spinal cord injury was the result of another’s negligence, you might be entitled to reimbursement for all your medical expenses and costs associated with the injury. This includes hospital bills, emergency care, ambulance rides, medications, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and other ongoing costs. Depending on the severity of your spinal injury, this could also include in-home medical care or structural modifications to your home.
Lost Income
An injury award could also provide compensation for the wages you have lost because of your spinal cord injury. If you are prohibited from working again, the amount of your monetary award could be significant.
Pain and Suffering
Not all damages associated with a spinal injury are financial. Victims of spinal cord injuries are also entitled to be compensated for the pain and suffering they have endured, including physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish associated with the injury.
Experienced Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights
If you suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, you need to understand your legal rights. the experienced Maryland spinal cord injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras will review your case and fight for the just compensation you deserve. Call (410) 694-7291 to start the process.
