Spinal Cord Injury

1. What is a spinal cord injury and how do they happen?

Usually injuries to the spinal cord, as opposed to a spinal fracture, do not result in a cut through the spinal cord but instead they crush the thin extension of nerve cells that are surrounded by the vertebrae.

Spinal cord injuries are most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents. The next most frequent causes are violence, mostly related to firearms. Work related injuries (predominately from construction work) are most frequent in adults while sports related injuries occur more commonly in children and teenagers.

2. Who sustains the most spinal cord injuries and what parts of the spine are most commonly affected?

Most spinal cord injuries are sustained by males between the ages of 16 and 30. More than half of all spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical spine (neck area) while one third occur in the thoracic spine (in the area where the ribs meet the spine) and the balance of the injuries occur in the lumbar spine (low back).

3. What happens with spinal cord injuries?

The injuries sustained by people with spinal cord injuries are quite diverse. Injuries can range form quadriplegia to loss of control over critical bodily functions to loss of sensations.

4. If I have sustained a spinal cord injury what should I do?

It is extremely important to have an experienced personal injury attorney who has expertise in the handling and presentation of a spinal cord injury case.

It is critical not to do anything that might have a negative affect upon you case. An experienced attorney might advise you not to give any statements or sign any authorizations so it is important to get the advice of an experienced attorney before you do something that could have a negative impact upon your case.

5. How do I go about getting experts to help me with my case?

It is very important to have an experienced personal injury attorney who has expertise in the handling and presentation of serious injury cases. Your attorney will be able to suggest a team of experts that can range from private investigators to engineers to doctors to economists to help develop your case.

6. Who will pay the expenses of hiring all of these experts?

In most cases, the law firm or attorneys will advance all costs and expenses of the case as they are incurred. Once the case is concluded, they would be reimbursed for their costs out of the recovery. In some states, even if there is no recovery, the client is still responsible for the costs and expenses of the case even though the client owes no legal fees. In other states, if there is no recovery, the client will owe nothing for the costs and expenses, which will be absorbed by the law firm or attorney.

7. Why should I contact SelectCounsel, LLC about my case?

SelectCounsel, LLC has access to attorneys who are considered to be among the best in their area of practice throughout the United States.

SelectCounsel, LLC can refer you to one of the best law firms in your area and arrange for a free consultation for you to speak with one of those lawyers.