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EPPERLY
& FOLLIS, P.C.
7 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
1-888-703-0109
(804)
648-6480
depperly@lawyersva.com |
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Spinal Injuries
Every year in the United States, approximately
11,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) – not
including those who die at the scene of the accident. The
National Spinal Cord Injury Database statistics also state
that in June 2006, the number of people in the U.S. with SCI
ranged between 225,000 to 296,000.
Spinal cord injuries are usually caused by a traumatic blow
to the head, neck, or back that fractures or dislocates the
vertebrae. This is a sensitive area, because the spinal cord
comprises a bundle of nerves that transmits information
between the brain and the rest of the body. When a spinal
cord injury occurs, this system is damaged, often resulting
in physical impairment. While some victims will experience
almost complete recovery, others will be completely and
permanently paralyzed.
Impact to the spinal cord may fracture, dislocate or
compress the vertebrae, which in turn crushes the extensive
nerve cells (axons) that carry signals along the spinal cord
between the brain and the body. Specific effects of a spinal
cord injury on the body usually depend on the location and
severity of the injury. An injury to the spinal cord can
damage a small number of axons or almost all of them.
Paralysis, or loss of movement and sensation, can be
complete or incomplete with a spinal cord injury. The
complete/incomplete classification indicates how much
movement and feeling is left in the affected areas after
initial recovery. The victim of a complete injury totally
lacks sensory and motor function below the injury. An
incomplete spinal cord injury victim retains some sensory
motor function below the injury. Less than one percent of
those hospitalized with a spinal cord injury completely
recover. The major of those with spinal cord injuries have
incomplete quadriplegia, followed by complete paraplegia,
complete quadriplegia, and incomplete paraplegia.
If you or loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, or
are paraplegic or quadriplegic, you may need a lawyer. An
SCI can cause more than physical harm – it can also impact
the victims’ family, finances and future. The attorneys of
Epperly & Follis can help make sure SCI victims or the
families of victims receive enough monetary compensation to
meet the challenges of the future with less worry about
medical bills, employment and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, spinal cord injures are irreversible.
Automobile accidents cause the majority of spinal cord
injuries. Other causes include sports mishaps, falls, birth
trauma, violence and disease. Caring for those who have
survived a spinal cord injury is often a lifelong endeavor.
Treating a patient with a spinal cord injury often involves
a team of medical professionals dedicated to every aspect of
a patient’s well being. Many people who live with spinal
cord injury have secondary complications including pain,
respiratory and heart problems, bladder and bowel
dysfunction, pressure sores, respiratory complications,
urinary tract infections, spasticity, and scoliosis.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury
because of another’s negligent actions, it is important to
consult with an attorney who understands this type of injury
and is experienced in handling these sensitive cases.
The personal injury attorneys of Epperly & Follis handle
cases involving mild, moderate and traumatic spinal cord and
brain injuries. Let us put our legal expertise to work for
you, to get the recovery you deserve.
Contact Epperly & Follis for a free consultation today at
1-888-703-0109 or (804) 648-6480, or contact us via our
online Contact
Form.
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