What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

The brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves make up the central nervous system, which controls movement and sensation throughout your entire body. As a result, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are often devastating and can cause the permanent loss of function in certain parts of the body.

There are countless ways to sustain an SCI, and damage to the CNS can affect people of all ages at all stages of life; however, members of some demographics are more likely to suffer from a spinal cord injury than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, SCI risk factors include:

• Being male;
• Being between the ages of 16 and 30;
• Being older than 65; and
• Having a bone or joint disorder, like osteoporosis or arthritis.

Partaking in dangerous activities on a regular basis can also increase your risk of suffering paralysis as the result of a spinal cord injury. People who frequently engage in risky behavior typically know the risks they are assuming when they do so; however, even those who avoid such behaviors and exercise caution around every turn can find themselves the victims of medical malpractice or a catastrophic accident.

If you sustained an SCI and you’d like to learn about potential ways to hold the liable party financially accountable for the damages you have incurred as a result, contact The Bowling Law Firm. A New Orleans spinal cord injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you determine the most strategic way to pursue compensation. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.

Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries:

1. Motor Vehicle Collisions

According to a review originally published in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, automobile accidents are the most common cause of SCIs. Motor vehicle collisions account for more than 30 percent of new injuries annually.

2. Falls

Falls are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries and account for approximately one quarter of all new SCIs every year. The elderly population and individuals with disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system are especially vulnerable to sustaining a catastrophic injury that causes paralysis in a slip and fall accident.

3. Violent Acts

Violent acts like shootings and stabbings are responsible for between 10 and 15 percent of all new spinal cord injuries annually. Victims who sustain an SCI in this way have the right to pursue compensation from the perpetrator by fling a personal injury claim alongside any criminal law proceedings.

4.Surgical Errors

Medical malpractice and surgical errors account for less than 5 percent of all new SCIs annually. In order to file a successful claim for an SCI sustained at the hands of a healthcare provider, the patient must be able to prove that negligence played a role in the incident.

If you or someone you love sustained a spinal cord injury in a preventable accident but you are not sure how to prove the liable party is responsible, contact The Bowling Law Firm. A New Orleans spinal cord injury lawyer can gather medical records, interview expert witnesses, and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a case evaluation. If you want to learn more about catastrophic personal injury claims in Louisiana, visit the USAttorneys website.