Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

The symptoms of spinal cord injuries vary based on what kind of spinal cord injury was suffered, and where along the spinal cord the trauma has occurred.

Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Loss of movement or sensation below the vertebra where the spinal column injury has occurred.
• Paralysis or delayed paralysis.
• Numbness.
• Blood pressure and temperature changes.
• Bowel and bladder issues.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Nerve damage.

Overall, the higher the injury is on the spinal column, the more severe the injury and the more extensive the symptoms will be.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Colorado?

Spinal cord injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, and they occur when a force is violent enough to cause damage to the spinal column.

Some of the common causes for spinal cord injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents.
• Slip-and-fall accidents.
• Falling from an elevated surface, like falling from a ladder or roof.
• Falls that occur from broken or poorly designed safety railings.
• Assault and battery, including wounds from gunshots, knives, and other weapons.
• Swimming accidents, like diving into shallow water.
• Sports injuries, including blows to the head and chest.
• Medical malpractice.
• Electrical accidents.
• Illness and disease.
• Birth injuries.
• Trampoline accidents.
• Pedestrian accidents.

What Are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

There are four degrees of spinal cord injuries, each bringing a unique set of challenges and recovery approaches.

The four types include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral injuries.

• A cervical injury occurs within the first seven vertebrae along your neck. These injuries are considered the most severe, as they result in quadriplegia, the paralysis of all limbs. Depending on the specific section of the vertebrae where the injury has occurred, a victim can maintain some or none of their bodily sensation.
• Thoracic injuries occur in the upper and middle part of the back, an area which encompasses 12 vertebrae. An injury here can cause various muscle paralysis, though many victims can still retain control of their arms.
• Lumbar injuries occur along five large vertebrae below the thoracic region. Injury in this area tends to be less severe but can still be life-altering. Often, victims can still control their upper body but lose control and function of their hips and lower regions.
• Sacral injuries are located at the bottom of the spine, and an injury in this region is the least severe as victims will typically maintain a significant amount of control over their body still.

What Impact Do Spinal Cord Injuries Have on Quality of Life?

Spinal cord injuries will undoubtedly have an impact on your life, though the type of injury will dictate the severity of that impact.

Victims who have suffered cervical spinal injuries and become quadriplegic will face a life-altering experience that will impact their mobility, independence, and ability to care for themselves. Others who suffer from partial paralysis might need lifelong or part-time care, depending on the extent of their injuries.

Your quality of life will change after a spinal cord injury, but the extent depends on the severity of your injuries. Despite the catastrophic nature of these injuries, there is hope. With the right care, treatment, and support, victims can go on to live fulfilling and productive lives; it just may look a little different.

What Compensation Could I Seek for a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury can flip the victim’s world upside down. The severity of this type of injury will require ongoing, and, in some cases, lifelong care, including constant medical support. Regular care from healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, and other support staff are essential in helping victims find a path forward to a fulfilling life.

The cost of all this support can quickly rise to hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars in damages. Victims of spinal cord injuries can recover the cost of medical care, as well as pain and suffering.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Colorado Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?

In Colorado, there are specific timelines allotted for filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit. The statute of limitations is based on how the spinal injury occurred and what parties are considered negligent.

General Negligence

If the spinal cord injury is classified as a general personal injury where negligence has occurred, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident under C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a).

This includes cases involving:

• Motor vehicle accidents, including trucks and motorcycles.
• Slips and falls.
• Workplace accidents.

Medical Malpractice

If the injury resulted from medical malpractice, the statute is two years from the date the injury was discovered, though no lawsuit can be filed after three years under C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5.

Government Entities

If your claim is against a government entity, you must file a formal request within six months of your injury, and the statute of limitations is two years. There is also a specific process to follow as outlined by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act C.R.S. § 24-10-109.

How Bachus & Schanker, Personal Injury Lawyers, Can Help You After a Spinal Cord Injury

At Bachus & Schanker, our team strives to help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as help you plan out a legal course of action that will help you recover the full compensation you may be entitled to.

While the average settlement for a spinal cord injury varies, based on the specific case, our team is committed to helping you recover the full compensation you deserve, including economic and non-economic damages.

Our team is available 24/7 and will meet with you anywhere, including your home, the hospital, or a care facility, making it easier for you to get the legal support you need.

When our attorneys are not directly working with you, you’ll find continued support through our Victim’s Advocate team. This is a team of highly specialized professionals who will guide you through the healing process. From acting as a liaison between you and involved parties, to connecting you to support groups and other resources, this team will advocate on your behalf to support you wholly.

With offices in Denver, Aurora, Englewood, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs, our team is here to support you, no matter where you live.

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