Common Accidents That Lead to Spinal Cord Injuries
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Spinal cord injuries often lead to consequences that make it difficult for those who suffer from them to lead normal lives. Instead, they may be faced with ever-increasing medical costs for care and treatment, an inability to work, and pain. Although compensation is often available in these cases, avoiding an accident in the first place is the best option.
By understanding how these injuries frequently occur, it is possible to avoid not only suffering one, but also causing one yourself.
Falls
Falls from high places can lead to significant trauma to the spinal cord, including blunt-force trauma from the impact and piercing trauma due to objects such as bone piercing the spinal cord. In some cases, twisting forces come into play with falls, causing the spinal cord to twist beyond its limits.
However, falls from high places are not always necessary to cause a spinal cord injury. Falling from a simple trip or slip can also lead to forceful impacts and violent twisting motions that result in spinal cord damage.
Traffic Accidents
It probably comes as no surprise that traffic accidents are a major cause of spinal cord injuries. The extreme forces involved in car wrecks are sufficient to bend metal and move seemingly immovable objects. When they act upon the spinal cord, these forces can crush, tear, or pierce it.
Even minor car accidents, such as rear-end accidents, can cause spinal cord injuries due to forces such as whiplash. Whiplash typically affects the cervical area of the spine and can cause chronic pain, numbness, weakness, and other neurological symptoms throughout the body.
Violence
Wilful violence is sadly not an uncommon cause of spinal cord injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 12% of spinal cord injuries are the result of intentional violence, principally gun violence.
When intentional violence is the cause, law enforcement typically gets involved. However, spinal cord injury victims can file suits for damages against their offenders, even if law enforcement does not take action. If law enforcement does get involved but fails to convict, victims may still seek compensation.
Sports
All types of sporting activities can potentially cause a spinal cord injury, especially contact sports. Some of these contact sports include:
- Football
- Rugby
- Wrestling
- Boxing
However, quite a few non-contact sporting activities are also common causes of spinal cord injuries as well.
Non-contact sports that can cause spinal cord injuries include:
- Skateboarding
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Weightlifting
NASCAR racing and other sports involving motor vehicles can also easily cause spinal cord injuries due to crashes.
Work Accidents
Spinal cord injuries can occur at any worksite, from fast food establishments to high-rise construction sites. Heavy lifting is a frequent cause of spinal cord damage in many of these cases, especially in cases where a worker attempts to lift or move items that are simply too heavy or too big.
Other causes of spinal cord injuries at worksites include:
- Falls
- Falling or flying objects
- Crushing injuries
- Accidents with work vehicles
In most but not all work accidents in Los Angeles, workers’ compensation tends to be the chief source of compensation for injured workers. Unfortunately, workers’ comp does not pay full compensation. It only covers medical care and a portion of a worker’s lost wages but provides nothing for emotional and mental injuries.
However, some injured workers can seek full compensation in a third-party lawsuit if someone besides their employer or other employees causes their spinal cord injury. And in some limited cases, an injured worker can even sue their employer.
A Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
Have you experienced a spinal cord injury caused by someone else? If so, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
The skilled and compassionate team at Saeedian Law Group has recovered millions in compensation for injured victims in Los Angeles and throughout California. Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss what we can do for you today.