DC Spinal Cord Injuries: The Basics

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious and long-lasting injuries someone can receive. A spinal cord injury is an injury caused by a trauma to the spinal cord. Due to the importance of the spinal cord in controlling the body, any damage it receives can jeopardize someone’s entire body and life.

If you have hurt your spinal cord after getting involved in a car accident, slip-and-fall case, or any other type of personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, it is absolutely crucial to contact a DC spinal cord injury lawyer right away. An experienced and dedicated lawyer can fight for you in your personal injury claim, working hard to procure a favorable settlement.

Injury Causes

A person sustains a spinal cord injury in a variety of ways. The injury may result from a traumatic accident such as a slip, fall, or some other trauma, or it may be a gradual degradation over time. The most common cause of a spinal cord injury is trauma to the injured person. The trauma occurs in a number of ways, including a fall, an automobile accident, or being struck by a motor vehicle or some other large object.

There is no single common cause for spinal cord injuries. However, a person who is involved in a significant, traumatic accident is at risk for a spinal cord injury, which is why their first step should be to seek out medical attention and then contact a DC spinal cord injury attorney.

Diagnosing an Injury

A DC spinal cord injury is typically diagnosed through diagnostic studies, such as a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray. These tests are the best way to closely evaluate the injury and devise a course of treatment. The first thing a person should do when they suffer a spinal cord injury is to seek medical attention. They should seek medical help from a qualified physician, who is best able to assess their situation.

An MRI and a CT scan are specialized types of tests that allow a physician to take a picture of a person’s internal body parts. In this instance, the spinal cord and the corresponding vertebrae are pictured. The picture allows a radiologist, neurologist, or orthopedic doctor to examine the spinal cord and the vertebrae for any injuries.

Following an Injury

If a person is involved in a traumatic injury in DC and suffers a trauma to the neck or back that could potentially adversely affect the spinal cord, that person should seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

Spinal cord injuries can have a varying effect on the injured person. The severity of the injury depends on the nature and extent of the damage to the spinal column, among many other factors. A qualified and trained medical professional can advise the injured person on both the short term and long terms effects of a spinal cord injury.

A spinal cord injury can have a long-lasting effect on not only the injured person but also their immediate family. All of these factors are taken into consideration when processing a claim. Should the matter proceed to trial, one of the vital roles of the injured person is to inform the judge or jury of the long-lasting non-economic damages sustained, not only by them, but also by the entire family.

Seeking Medical Attention

Treatment for spinal cord injuries in DC depends on the nature of the injury. When a person is involved in a traumatic injury, they should seek medical attention in an emergency room as quickly as possible. If the injury to the spinal cord develops slowly over time, the person should see their primary care physician who should be able to assess the situation.

The primary care physician will likely refer the patient to a neurologist or an orthopedic doctor to further evaluate their situation. The specialist will likely prescribe a course of treatment plan for the patient’s particular circumstance. If a person is involved in a traumatic injury and doesn’t immediately feel the effects of that accident or trauma, the person may still want to seek medical attention to confirm that they have not been injured.

A person does not need to bring documentation when they first seek medical attention. However, the person should be able to explain why they are seeking medical attention and be able to describe the circumstances of the accident. The person seeking medical attention should be able to provide a brief medical history, as well as any other medically significant events that have lead up to the present time of evaluation.

Contacting an Attorney

Following an evaluation, it is then up to the person to decide if they would like to pursue an injury case. If they decide they do want to pursue a case, they should then consult a DC spinal cord injury attorney.

A spinal cord injury can be severe and have long-lasting effects on the injured person’s life and well-being. Therefore, it is best to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney who can evaluate the claim and work with the injured person towards receiving all the compensation to which they are entitled.