Any injury to the spine, including compression of the spinal cord, is something to take seriously. While not as obviously traumatic as the complete severing of the spinal cord, a compression injury can still have catastrophic effects, including partial or complete paralysis.
What Is Spinal Cord Compression?
Spinal cord compression happens when something puts pressure on the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves running from the base of the skull down the middle of the back, according to Johns Hopkins. The nerves transmit signals from the brain that control many bodily functions, including movement and breathing. Pressure on the spinal cord can slow down or block nerve signals.
Spinal cord compression might happen suddenly, like in a car crash or fall, or it can develop over time due to a tumor or swelling, bleeding, or damage inside the spine.
Pressure on the spinal cord can cause a range of symptoms. Some people may feel tingling, weakness, or pain in their arms or legs. In more severe cases, spinal cord compression can lead to partial or complete paralysis. The effects depend on the extent of the pressure on the spinal cord and where the injury occurs along the spine.
Legal Implications of Spinal Cord Compression
Accidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord compression. A rear-end collision, for instance, can put pressure on the spine that may cause paralysis or other symptoms related to spinal cord compression.
Individuals who suffer spinal cord compression injuries because of someone else’s careless actions can file a personal injury claim against that person to seek compensation for the harm they’ve suffered, from their medical expenses to their lost income to their diminished quality of life.
Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Compression
Some common causes of spinal cord compression include:
- Car accidents
- Falls from heights
- Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents
- Sports accidents
- Heavy lifting or sudden twisting motions
- Assaults or other violent trauma
- Workplace accidents
- Spinal fractures or dislocations
- Herniated discs pressing on the spinal cord
- Swelling or bleeding around the spine after an injury
Compensation and Legal Recourse for Victims
Spinal cord compression injuries affect every facet of a victim’s life, from their ability to work to their physical activities and their relationships with friends and family. If you’ve developed spinal cord compression because of another party’s legal fault, our Tennessee personal injury attorneys want to help you seek fair compensation for:
- Your pain and suffering
- Your emotional distress
- Your lost income
- Your reduced future earning potential
- Your limited physical activities
- Your diminished quality of life
- Your current and future medical expenses related to the injury
It’s vital to act quickly if you suffer compression of the spinal cord, as under most circumstances, Section 28-3-104 of the Tennessee Code gives you just one year after sustaining a spinal cord injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact The Terry Law Firm for Legal Guidance
The Terry Law Firm has fought for injured people in East Tennessee since 1960. During that time, our personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for people with severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
Let us handle the legal process while you rest and heal. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a spinal compression lawyer in Tennessee.
