During car accidents, passengers are violently thrown about. If they are wearing a seatbelt, then the belt should stop their movement, but they can also rebound in the opposite direction.
It is no secret that car accidents can cause serious spinal cord damage, but acute spinal cord compression is less discussed. Spinal cord compression is a serious injury that can cause neurological issues after a Los Angeles car accident. To discuss your legal options, you should contact one of our Los Angeles car accident attorneys.
What Is Spinal Cord Compression and How Can It Cause Neurological Issues?
When pressure is placed on the spinal cord, spinal cord compression is the result. The compression can occur anywhere within the spine, from the cervical spine (base of the neck) to the lumbar spine (lower back). Merck Manual explains that various lesions can compress the spinal cord – acute compression from a car accident is a common cause. The condition can have a number of effects, including neurological ones.
A neurological issue refers to any issue, disease, or condition involving the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. As it pertains to spinal cord compression, a neurological issue typically results from pressure on the spinal cord (bundle of nerves), which impairs the body’s ability to send messages from the brain to the rest of the body.
The following are some standard neurological symptoms that result from spinal cord compression:
- Paraparesis: Paralysis in the legs and the lower trunk
- Quadriparesis: paralysis in all four limbs, including the trunk
- Hyperreflexia (over-responsive reflexes)
- Loss of bladder or bowel control or function
- Sensory deficits
- Difficulty with hand-eye coordination
- Loss of sexual ability
- Numbness in the legs
- Local back pain which radiates outward
Many victims are surprised to experience a complete loss of function, which can often come out of the blue. If you notice any of the above symptoms, go immediately to a doctor.
Living with Neurological Issues from Spinal Cord Compression
After a Los Angeles car accident that results in spinal cord compression, living with the neurological issues that result can prove extremely trying. Indeed, said neurological issues may be disabling or impairing, impeding an individual’s ability to work and earn an income, do the things that they love, or even care for themselves. Spinal cord compression will also require medical intervention, which can feel invasive and be expensive. In managing spinal cord compression and related neurological symptoms, Hopkins Medicine recommends learning as much as you can about the condition and taking an active role in your treatment.
Reliable Legal Help for Spinal Cord Compression Victims Suffering from Neurological Issues
Neurological issues and their related costs can be challenging to live with, to say the least. Surgery and rehabilitation cost considerable sums of money, which few people are prepared to pay out of pocket. What’s more, the physical and psychological harm that a person suffering from neurological issues as a result of spinal cord compression endures can affect them both economically and non-economically. However, a financial settlement might be available if someone else is responsible for the car accident that caused your spinal cord compression and neurological injuries.
Our Los Angeles Car Accidents Attorneys Can Help
When you have suffered a spinal cord compression injury and neurological complications, you need to call our the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers. Not only do we litigate serious injuries that result from car accidents, we have specific experience helping clients living with neurological issues following a spinal cord compression accident seek damages. Please reach us today to learn how we can help you when your neurological complications are impairing your quality of life. Consultations are free – reach out to us online or call 888-540-0325.