Our Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys / Lawyers handle personal injury cases involving serious spinal cord damage caused by medical malpractice. Surgical mistakes or errors, for example, often result in catastrophic spinal cord injuries that form the basis for these legal actions. (We also handle cases arising out of spinal cord injuries caused by Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft systems.)
While a lawsuit cannot restore the pre-injury life of a catastrophically injured person, it can help pay for the substantial costs of lifelong care. Equally important, it can provide some comfort in knowing that justice has been served by holding the responsible parties accountable. If you or one of your family members sustained a spinal cord injury due to medical mistake or negligence, contact us to learn about your legal options.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord and brain make up your central nervous system. Your vertebrae, the 33 bones in your spinal column, surround and protect your spinal cord. The spinal cord itself is soft tissue composed of nerve cells and nerve groups called tracts. These tracts carry messages between your brain and other parts of your body. When your spinal cord is injured, your body cannot receive the messages necessary to normal body functioning.
The results and impact of a spinal cord injury can depend upon:
- the extent of spinal cord damage
- the part of the spinal cord in which the damage occurs
The injury itself can result from damage to any part of the spinal column, including the:
- spinal cord’s nerve fibers
- any of the 33 vertebrae
- ligaments of the spinal column
- any of the 23 spinal column discs
Complete or Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can be “complete” or “incomplete.” A complete injury is one that results in total, or nearly total, loss of motor function and sensation below the point of injury. An incomplete injury is one that results in only a partial loss of mobility and sensation below the point of injury.
Paralysis
These injuries are also described in terms of the paralysis that may be sustained. Tetraplegia (also called quadriplegia) involves paralysis of the upper and lower extremities as well as the torso and pelvic organs. This type of paralysis can result from an injury to the part of the spinal cord near or at the neck.
Paraplegia involves paralysis of all or part of the lower limbs, trunk, and some of the organs. This type of paralysis can result from an injury to the middle or lower portion of the spinal cord.
In addition to a loss of sensation and mobility, serious spinal cord damage can affect a person’s:
- respiratory system
- circulatory system
- bladder and bowel control
- integrity of skin (increased susceptibility to pressure sores and infection)
- sexual function
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
Medical errors that can damage patients’ spinal cords include (but are not limited to) negligent:
- administration of epidural and spinal block injections
- administration of steroid injections
- positioning of patients’ bodies during administration of anesthesia
- placement or removal of rods, screws, and plates during spinal surgery
- performance of spinal fusion, orthopedic, neurologic, or other spinal surgery
- failure to diagnose or treat a tumor that causes spinal damage
- failure to diagnose or treat a patient’s stroke
- failure to diagnose or treat a patient’s spinal cord infection
- failure to diagnose or treat an epidural abscess
- failure to diagnose or treat fractured vertebrae / back
- medical care during childbirth
Damages recoverable in these cases by Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys / Lawyers can be extensive. They may include costs related to:
- multiple surgeries
- other past and future medical expenses
- physical, emotional, occupational, and other needed therapies
- rehabilitation
- renovations to homes and vehicles
- in-home care and other in-home assistance
- lost earning ability and wages
- pain and suffering
- other long-lasting or permanent losses caused by the injury
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft
Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft is a synthetic protein that can replace damaged or diseased bone and that is often used off-label in various types of spinal surgery. Patients who have undergone Infuse Bone Graft surgery can sustain severe spinal cord damage. For more information about Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft injuries, see Philadelphia Infuse Injury Lawyers.
Contact a Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injury cases are extremely complex. The Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys / Lawyers at Feldman & Pinto have the knowledge and resources required to handle these challenging lawsuits. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to a medical provider’s negligence or a Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft, please contact us to schedule a free evaluation of your case.