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Orange County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

There is no such thing as a small or mild spinal cord injury. Even the slightest trauma to the spine can result in a devastating spinal injury that can forever change your life. Approximately 250,000 Americans have suffered spinal cord injuries. More than 11,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year, costing millions of dollars to treat.

Spinal cord injuries can leave victims with more than physical limitations. Victims can suffer extensive psychological, emotional, and financial trauma that lasts a lifetime. Spinal injury victims frequently require ongoing care that can cause severe financial hardship for the entire family. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury that was caused by the negligent actions of another party, the spinal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas may be able to help. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego and Riverside, our personal injury lawyers represent spinal injury victims across Southern California. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Orange County spine injury lawyer, call 949-727-9300.

About the Spinal Cord

The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain, down the middle of the back, and ends just above the waist. It is primarily made up of a bundle of nerves that sends information back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is protected by thirty-three ring-shaped bones or vertebrae that make up the spinal column.

When the spinal cord is injured, the flow of information from the point of injury down is stopped. This break in instruction to the extremities and other parts of the body will prevent the injured victim from moving, sometimes breathing, and obstruct or stop any sense of feeling or touch.

Classifications and Types of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are generally classified into two categories, discussed in more detail below:

  • Quadriplegia: Quadriplegia, also referred to as tetraplegia, is typically caused by an injury to the spinal cord in the neck area. This type of injury results in loss of use and sensation in the body below the neck, including both the arms and legs.
  • Paraplegia: Paraplegia is caused by an injury to the spinal cord below the neck area. This type of injury results in the loss of movement and sensation in the lower part of the body, including the legs. Other complications can include loss of involuntary functions (such as inability to regulate body temperature) and loss of bladder and bowel control. Men may also experience loss of sexual function.

Spinal cord injuries are further categorized as complete or partial depending on how damaged the nerve has become.

  • Complete: Complete injury refers to lack of any sensation or voluntary movement below the point of injury impacting both sides of the body.
  • Partial: Partial injury refers to when there is some function and feeling below the point of injury and the victim is able to move one limb more than the other or has more sensation on one side than the other.

The extent of the injury, that is whether it is partial or complete, directly impacts the outcome for the victim. For instance, spinal cord accident victims with partial injury may experience significant recovery, while those with complete spinal cord injury may not.

Regardless of what type of spinal cord injury you have suffered, it will no doubt significantly impact your life and the lives of your loved ones. The Orange County spine injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas will take all steps necessary to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions and help you get the full monetary compensation that you deserve.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Some common signs and symptoms that may alert you that you may sustain a spinal cord injury after an accident include:

  • Loss of coordination, weakness, or paralysis in any part of your body
  • Tingling or numbness in your extremities,
  • Pressure in your head, neck, or back
  • Severe back pain
  • Balance issues and difficulty walking
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Loss of bowel control
  • Odd or uncomfortable back or neck positioning

If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you immediately seek medical treatment. Prompt medical care may help prevent long-term damage.

Common Causes of Spinal Injury Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are often separated into two categories: traumatic and non-traumatic. Traumatic spinal cord injuries involve impact to the spinal cord. Non-traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by internal damage to the spinal cord as a result of an illness, disease or degeneration of the tissue.

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a variety of accidents and the impact it has on the victim’s life often depends on the severity of the injury. Some common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

Motor vehicle accidents, specifically car accidents, account for 38% (or the majority) of spinal cord injuries according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Spinal cord injury victims must relearn how to do many of the things that other people take for granted, including how to adjust to their injuries and regain as much independence as possible. This is why spinal cord injury victims should immediately hire an aggressive accident attorney to help protect their legal rights and get the full compensation they deserve.

What to Do If you Suspect a Spinal Cord Injury

If you have been involved in a serious accident and believe that you or someone else involved have suffered a spinal cord injury, you should:

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Keep still and do not try to move because any movement may result in paralysis or additional complications.
  • Wait for emergency services to arrive for help before moving, even an inch.

Although you may not be able to completely avoid an accident and the possibility of suffering a spinal cord injury, you can take adequate precautions to reduce the likelihood.

How Much Does Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury Cost?

Spinal cord injuries can be very expensive to treat. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, an average first-year expense for a spinal cord injury can cost $198,000. This includes an average of 15 days in acute care units in the hospital and an average of 44 days in rehabilitation.

Medicals are not the only costs a victim of spinal cord injury can suffer. 63 percent of spinal cord injury victims remain unemployed for eight years after an injury. This can get especially costly because, without a job, most individuals do not have health insurance, which can be imperative when treating a spinal cord injury.

Getting the Compensation That You Deserve

If you suffered spinal cord injury as the result of another party’s negligent conduct, the liable party or their insurance carrier should compensate you. However, just because you may be entitled to compensation, it does not mean that you will get or that you will get the full compensation that you deserve.

The aggressive spinal cord injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Same Habbas will fully investigate the facts surrounding your accident to help you get the full money damages you deserve. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Necessary home modifications
  • Ongoing physical therapy
  • Vocational training
  • Loss of wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional and mental trauma
  • Other injury-related costs and out of pocket expenses

Although nothing can compensate for an injured spine, financial compensation can help defray the costs of recovery and help you regain your independence and autonomy. With the help of an experienced spinal cord injury attorney, you can be confident that your legal rights are protected and your financial obligations are covered.

Contact an Experienced Orange County Spine Injury Lawyer Today!

The Orange County Spine Injury Lawyer at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas has been fighting for the rights of injured people for decades. We understand the lasting impact that spinal cord injuries can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Our Orange County personal injury attorneys are committed to fighting for your rights and helping you get every penny of compensation you deserve if you have suffered a serious spinal cord injury.

With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our personal injury lawyers represent spinal injury victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers, please call 949-727-9300.

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