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Understanding Long-Term Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

By Grant Law Office on May 21, 2012

nurse helping patient with physical therapy

Spinal cord injuries can occur in nearly any type of severe accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents cause 46 percent of all spinal cord injuries each year. Falls, including accidental falls in the workplace or other venues, account for another 22 percent, while intentional or negligent injuries suffered during sports add another 12 percent.

The long-term effects of even a mild spinal cord injury can be severe. They include partial or total paralysis, numbness, or nerve pain in the areas of the body below the site of the injury. They may also include malfunctions or difficulty controlling organs or body functions, like difficulty breathing or controlling bathroom functions. If the injury is severe or includes injury to the brain, difficulty with thinking, communication, and memory can also occur.

Finally, one common but little-discussed long-term complication of spinal cord injury is emotional and mental health impairments. Depression and anxiety are common when a spinal cord injury impairs a person’s ability to go to work, enjoy hobbies, or perform basic tasks like eating, bathing, or using the bathroom without help. To help a spinal cord injury patient make the best possible recovery, these conditions must be taken as seriously as any physical impairments.

Spinal cord injuries are often life-changing, both for the injured person and for the injured person’s family. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our dedicated Georgia spinal cord injury attorneys can help you and your family through every stage of the process after an accident, from investigating what happened to holding any negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation you need to support the best possible recovery. Give us a call today for a free, confidential telephone consultation – our number is (404) 995-3955.