How Various Spinal Injuries Can Affect Your Life

The spinal cord helps the brain communicate with and control the rest of the body. Thus, injuries that affect the spinal cord are some of the most devastating. Below is an overview of how different spinal cord injuries can affect your life and what costs you can recoup in a personal injury claim.

Cervical Spine Injuries

The cervical spine is the spinal column around the neck region. Physical trauma, like you might experience in an auto accident, is the most common form of cervical spine injury.

The cervical spine connects various parts of the body, including:

• The legs
• The arms
• The torso
• The throat
• The bowel and bladder

Thus, injury to the cervical spine can affect different functions of these parts of the body. For example, an accident victim with a cervical injury might:

• Have problems controlling their bowel and bladder movements
• Struggle to breathe without assistance
• Struggle to speak normally
• Suffer paralysis of the limbs

As you can see, these complications can affect various aspects of your life. For example, you might need round-the-clock care if you have bowel and bladder problems and you can't move without assistance. Ensure you include all these extra expenses in your injury claim.  

Thoracic Spine Injuries

The thoracic spine, which is relatively long, extends from the neck's base to the abdomen. The thoracic spine attaches to the rib cage. It also connects to and controls the:

• Muscles in the chest, abdomen, and mid-back regions
• Torso
• Legs
• General lower body regions
• Bowel and bladder

Thus, severe injuries to the thoracic spine can cause leg or trunk paralysis, in addition to bladder and bowel problems. As you can see, some overlap exists in the functions of the cervical and thoracic spines. The overlap is true for various parts of the spine since they all work together.

Again, in addition to treatment costs, you might need someone to assist you in your daily life. You might also need to modify your home for wheelchair use and modify your car to suit your disability. All these things cost money that the person liable for your injury should pay for.

Lumbar Spine Injuries

After the thoracic spine comes the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine occupies the position between the ribs and the pelvis. The lumbar spine:

• Supports and stabilizes your upper body - it provides the strength you need to literally hold up your head and neck
• Facilitates trunk movements - for example, it allows your body to twist and turn
• Controls movements of the hips and legs

As you can see, lumbar spine injuries can also affect your mobility. Thus, lumbar spine injury can also necessitate various changes to your lifestyle. In addition to the monetary compensation, the liable party should compensate you for the loss of enjoyment, if applicable, too.

Sacral Injuries

The last part of the spine is the sacral. The sacral spine is a flat bone that sits between the hipbones, just below the lumbar. Due to its position, injuries to the sacral spine are relatively rare.

Injury to the sacral spine can affect:

• The hip and groin area
• The thighs and buttock area
• The perineal area
• The bowel and bladder
• The sex organs (especially in men)

The injuries might affect one or both sides of your body. Some men can even suffer fertility problems. Again, you deserve compensation for all these complications.

As you can see, injuries to the spine can trigger dangerous and varied complications. Full compensation for the injury can help you regain a semblance of your pre-injury life. Contact Frank W. Thompson Attorney at Law Erwin & Thompson, LLP, if you have suffered a spinal injury in an accident. We will review your case, value your damages, and help you get the compensation you deserve.