Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Mount Pleasant, SC

Injuring your spinal cord in a Mount Pleasant accident can be a painful and frustrating experience. As the body’s nerve superhighway, the spinal cord must function properly in order to carry and receive sensations and commands between the body and the brain. When this highway becomes damaged or severed, it can take considerable time and treatment to return to normal. Accidents like slips and falls and car wrecks, brought about by the negligent conduct of others, can lead to spinal cord injuries. When this happens, you need the skilled assistance and representation of an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer.

Lowcountry Law, LLC is available to help you and your loved ones in Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston following a personal injury accident. If you have been diagnosed with spinal cord damage following an accident, discuss your situation with our spinal cord injury lawyer. We may be able to help you recover compensation.

How Spinal Cord Injuries Happen in Mount Pleasant

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reported in 2020 that approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injuries happen each year. A new spinal cord injury occurs every hour of every day, according to the University of Miami’s The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center also identifies several common ways in which spinal cord injuries can happen.

Motor Vehicle Wrecks

The NSCISC’s data shows that nearly 40 percent of all spinal cord injuries happen as a result of a vehicle crash. Many car, truck, and motorcycle accidents happen because a driver is not paying attention behind the wheel or is impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Falls, Slips, and Trips

Another common way in which your spinal cord may suffer harm is through a fall, slip, or trip. Even falls from a standing height can injure your back and spinal cord. Falls from greater heights, such as from a ladder, carry an even greater risk of spinal cord damage.

Employers and property owners who allow fall hazards to exist or who do not provide safety instructions and equipment for their employees may be responsible for paying damages if a spinal cord injury happens as a result.

Criminal Acts

Acts of violence and other criminal acts also account for a surprising number of spinal cord injuries. Gunshot wounds that strike or sever the spinal cord and column are the most common examples of criminal acts that lead to spinal cord injuries. Even if the person did not intend to commit a crime, they might still be liable for civil damages.

Other Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Mount Pleasant

Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Mount Pleasant, SC Free ConsultationsSports-related injuries can also result in spinal cord injury. Contact sports like football and soccer, where players frequently collide with one another with significant force, can easily lead to spinal cord injuries if players are not careful. Coaches should ensure players know how to play safely and are provided with appropriate safety gear.

Finally, medical or surgical mistakes can lead to a spinal cord injury if doctors and medical staff do not exercise due care. Operating on the wrong body part, not exercising care when operating on the back, or using improper techniques to move a patient are just some of the ways this can occur.

Let your South Carolina spinal cord injury lawyer at Lowcountry Law, LLC assist you in recovering from your injuries. If your spinal cord injury occurred because someone was not careful or did not fulfill their duty to protect you, our firm can help you recover compensation from them.

Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries most often occur because of trauma to the spinal column and cord. When a spinal cord injury does occur, it can be classified as either a complete or incomplete injury. The parts of the body affected by either injury will generally be located below the site of injury on the spinal cord.

A complete injury to the spinal cord is one that results in permanent and lasting damage to the spinal cord. There is often no treatment that can repair the damage, and recovery consists of learning to live with the limitations caused by the injury. Paraplegia is often a result of complete spinal cord injuries.

By contrast, an incomplete spinal cord injury is one that temporarily or partially damages the spinal cord. Generally, less trauma inflicted on the spinal cord will increase the likelihood of an incomplete spinal cord injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury may not result in permanent paralysis, and you may still have feeling or sensation after the injury.

There are four major levels of the spinal column:

  • Cervical spinal cord injuries occur between the head and neck area
  • Thoracic spinal cord injuries occur below the shoulders to the mid-back
  • Lumbar spinal cord injuries impact the lower back areas of the spinal cord
  • Sacral spinal cord injuries occur at the base of the spinal column in the hip region

Injury to one of these areas will likely affect areas below the site of injury. For example, an injury to the lumbar area may cause difficulties walking, while cervical injuries may affect the whole body:

Complete spinal cord injuries are more serious than incomplete injuries. Additionally, damage to the cervical region of the spinal cord can lead to the most damaging effects.

No matter the type or severity of your spinal cord injury, trust our spinal cord injury lawyer at Lowcountry Law, LLC to treat your case with the care and attention it deserves. Our firm has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as a Platinum Client Champion for our service and advocacy on behalf of injury victims. 

Schedule a free consultation with our spinal cord injury lawyer today to begin the process of recovering compensation for your spinal cord injury.

What to Do Following a Suspected Spinal Cord Injury

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle wreck, taken a fall at the store, or otherwise suspect you have hurt your back, you should not ignore your suspicions and concerns. Instead, you should take the following steps to minimize the risk of further harm and protect your legal rights:

Immobilize the Head and Neck

Ask others to help you immobilize your head and neck. Heavy towels, cushions, or pillows placed on either side of your head can keep you from accidentally moving your head and causing additional damage. Bystanders should be told not to move or lift your head or body.

Summon Emergency Medical Help

Someone on the scene should call 911 for assistance. Emergency medical crews are best equipped with the tools and training to safely move you from the scene of the accident to a hospital. 

Dispatchers, medical crews, and your treatment team will want to know approximately when the injury occurred and whether you retain any sensation in your body.

Seek Experienced Legal Help from a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

As soon as you are able, you should speak with a Mount Pleasant spinal cord injury lawyer about your next steps. Your lawyer can often proceed with protecting your legal interests and advancing your case while you continue your recovery.

Time is of the essence when you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury. Reach out to our Lowcountry Law, LLC’s Mount Pleasant office and ask for your free case consultation. We will investigate your case and advise you on how you might receive compensation for your losses and expenses.