Throughout life, people in Louisiana will inevitably suffer injuries. These injuries can be fairly small and not affect people’s lives beyond being a small inconvenience. However, some injuries can be very severe and have a major effect on their lives. One of these types of injuries is a spinal cord injury.
The spinal cord is a significant body part. It carries all of the messages from the brain to the various parts of the body. When there are injuries to the spinal cord the messages may not get through and the body part will not know what to do. This is why partial or total paralysis can occur as a result of spinal cord injuries.
Common causes of spinal cord injuries
There are many ways that spinal cord injuries occur, but some are more common than others. Some of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries are:
- Motor vehicle accidents cause approximately 31% of all spinal cord injuries
- Falls cause approximately 25% of all spinal cord injuries
- Gunshot wounds cause approximately 10% of all spinal cord injuries
- Motorcycle accidents cause approximately 7% of spinal cord injuries
- Medical errors cause approximately 4% of spinal cord injuries
No matter what the cause of a spinal cord injury is, it can completely change their lives. Spinal cord injuries can also be very costly as well. They can result in surgeries, long-term care and medical equipment, which are very expensive. However, if another person caused the spinal cord injury, they may be required to compensate the victims for these costs. This compensation can be very valuable as people recover and acclimate to their new life.
Unfortunately, many people suffer spinal cord injuries in Louisiana each year. These can be life-changing injuries and it can be very difficult when others cause the injuries due to their negligence. It is important that people are compensated for their injuries and that people are held accountable for their actions. Experienced attorneys understand the importance of this compensation and may be able to guide one through the process.