Spinal Cord Injury

An injury to the spinal cord can cause permanent disability or paralysis below the site of the injury. Paralysis that involves the majority of the body, including the arms and legs, is called quadriplegia or tetraplegia. When a spinal cord injury affects only the lower body, the condition is called paraplegia.

The most common causes of spinal cord injury in the United States are: • Motor vehicle accidents. Auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for almost 50 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year.

Acts of violence. About 15 percent of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters, often involving gunshot and knife wounds. Some involve law enforcement mistakenly shooting a victim. In such cases, the City of New York becomes the target defendant.

Falls. Spinal cord injury after age 65 is most often caused by a fall. Overall, falls make up approximately 22 percent of spinal cord injuries.

Construction Accidents, Scaffolding Falls, Crane Lift Operators. New York’s skyscrapers are created by some of the bravest and most skilled engineers and workers on our planet. On some occasions, accidents are created by lack of proper supervision, lack of proper safety equipment, supervisor’s insistence on fast-paced work and “cutting corners” on some building projects. One scientific study determined that paraplegia can occur in some instances in a fall of as little as 15 feet from the ground.

Diseases. Cancer, infections, arthritis and inflammation of the spinal cord also cause spinal cord injuries each year.

You may be entitled to compensation for spinal cord injuries, including:

• Broken Back

• Spinal Fracture

• Herniated Disc

• Spinal Cord Compression

• Paralysis

• Paraplegia

• Quadriplegia

• Fractured Vertebrae

• Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control

• Loss of Sexual Functioning

To have your case investigated, call or contact us here.