Workplace accidents happen the least you expect, more often because of negligence, either by your employer, you, a co-worker or by a third party. One of the most common workplace injuries is an injury to the back or spinal cord accounting for 12% of injuries in the workplace.
A spinal cord injury occurs in the workplace in several different ways. However, the fact always keeps that the results can severely affect your capacity to continue to work and live a normal life. Having such an injury means medical expenses and time out from work, meaning you cannot expect paychecks.
You think of workers’ compensation as your lifesaver, but still, you aren’t sure if it will cover your spinal cord injury’s medical care expenses or even replace the salaries you lost while recuperating. If you’re confused, speak with a credible workers’ compensation attorney at ODG Law to help you better understand how this compensation works. Call (818) 975-3080 today to schedule a FREE consultation.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a long, band of tube-shaped tissue that connects the brain to your lower back. It’s a column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the middle at the back, covered by three thin layers of protective tissues known as membranes. Consisting of 33 bones called vertebrae, the spinal cord nestles inside the spinal column.
A spinal cord injury or SCI is a detriment to the tight clump of cells and nerves that sends and receives from the brain back and forth from the rest of the body. The damage can be due to direct injury to the spinal cord itself and can result in temporary or permanent changes in strength, movement, sensation, and body activities beneath the site of injury.
What are the Types of Spinal Cord Injury?
A majority of spinal cord injuries are usually trauma-based and have different ways it happened. These injuries come in two types — complete injury and incomplete injury.
Complete Injury
A complete injury occurs when there’s no nerve transmission and motor function beneath the point where the trauma occurred. It causes permanent damage to the affected area which can result in paraplegia or tetraplegia.
An incomplete injury, on the other hand, means that the spinal cord can still communicate some messages back and forth from the brain to the rest of the body. There’s partial damage to the spinal cord while the ability to move and the amount of sensation depends on the area of the injured spine and the exigency of the injury. Outcomes are generally based on your health and medical history.
Whatever type of spinal cord injury you incurred, don’t hesitate to speak with one of ODG Law’s knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorneys to ensure that you’re eligible for the benefits of workers’ compensation.
What are the Most Common Symptoms of SCI?
A spinal cord injury can show one or more symptoms. These include:
- Insensitivity, tingling, or loss of or shifts in sensation in your hands and feet
- Awkward positions of the head or spine
- Fluctuation in sexual function
- Difficulty with walking
- Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
- Incapacity or immobility that may occur instantly or develop over time as inflammation and bleeding afflicts the spinal cord
- Problems with Breathing
- Frailty or helplessness to move any body parts
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
What Level of Spinal Cord Injury Do You Suffer From?
Many injured workers suffer spinal cord injuries in the workplace because of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, they don’t know what type or level it is until after seeking medical attention. They can slip and fall and land on their back, causing severe damage to the head, neck, or back. Note that spinal cord injury has four levels and these are:
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries
A lumbar spinal cord injury often affects the legs and the hips. If you suffer from this injury, you’ll require a wheelchair or walk with braces.
Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries
A cervical spinal cord injury usually takes its toll on the head and neck region just above the shoulders. It’s the most serious level of this kind of injury.
Sacral Spinal Cord Injuries
This type of SCI mainly affects the buttocks, hips, pelvic organs, and back of the thighs. You might be able to walk even if you suffer from this injury.
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries
The upper chest, mid-back, and abdominal muscles are the most affected part if you suffer from a thoracic spinal cord injury. Your arms and hands will still function normally.
To assure that you’re not left in a condition where you can’t move ahead, you and our expert workers’ compensation lawyer will analyze the evidence to show that your working conditions were accountable for your injury and losses.
Liability in a Workplace Injury
Our experienced workers’ compensationlawyer will help in finding the particulars of what happened to you to expose the possible indicators of liability in the workplace. To identify where the fault transpired, we will investigate all of the people involved. Given the stringency of the law, an injured employee can file an injury lawsuit against hire or her employer. It may include:
- Extreme negligence
- Insufficient workers’ compensation insurance
- Issues with your workman’s compensation claim
- Third-party negligence
Let ODG Law Help You
At ODG Law, our skilled workers’ compensation lawyers represent our clients with compassion as we emphasize communication and education. We don’t only secure the maximum benefits and compensation you require for quick recovery, but well will also make you feel informed, well-represented, and educated as well.
We’ll help you fight the battle with the insurance company and the doctor who doesn’t want you to get the compensation you deserve. Even if you don’t want to hire a workers’ compensation attorney, it wouldn’t hurt to ask us some questions if you want to know something related to your claim, such as how the process works. We won’t charge you because we work on a contingency fee basis.
Moreover, you can set an appointment with us for a FREE consultation. Our efficient workers’ compensation lawyers will always be here for you to protect your rights and defend you. If you encounter issues with the benefits you deserve, call us at (818) 975-3080, especially if the insurance company denied your claim. We’d love to hear from you.
