Spinal Cord Injury

The experienced Issaquah spinal injury attorneys at Dean Standish Perkins & Associates understand the physical and emotional devastation that catastrophic neck and back injuries can cause. They have been helping spinal cord injury victims obtain financial compensation through personal injury settlements and litigation for more than two decades, and they will fight to win the compensation you deserve.

Spinal Cord Injuries: An Overview

The spinal cord carries nerve signals sent by the brain to all other parts of the body. Although referred to as a “cord,” it is actually a thick bundle of nerves protected by the thirty-three bones (called vertebrae) that make up the spine. The vertebrae are divided into three groups: the upper (cervical), the middle (thoracic) and the lower (lumbar).

Accidents such as auto accidents and slips and falls can put a tremendous strain on the back and spinal column, causing injuries ranging from basic whiplash or a herniated disc to permanent paralysis. These injuries can have long-lasting effects for the victim, often making daily tasks either terribly painful or impossible. As a result, traumatic spinal injuries often necessitate exorbitant medical bills, and require treatment by physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists.

When the spinal cord is damaged or severed, communication between the brain and body becomes impaired or nonexistent. Victims typically suffer from some degree of paralysis – numbness, loss of feeling and loss of motor control – below the afflicted area. A victim could potentially suffer from paraplegia, which involves paralysis of the lower limbs, or quadriplegia, which involves paralysis of all limbs and the torso. The physical effects of paralysis can include:

• Numbness
• Intense, radiating or chronic pain
• Loss of grip strength
• Loss of sensation
• Difficulty breathing
• Impaired muscle movement

In the most severe cases, victims suffer total loss of muscle movement.

Spinal injuries resulting in paralysis are uniquely difficult because, at present, no cure exists. Research into potential treatments is ongoing, but currently medical care for paralysis centers on preventing additional loss of function and learning to adjust to life with a debilitating injury.

What Is A Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injury, sometimes called SCI, refers to an injury to the bundle of nerves contained within the vertebrae of the spine. SCI can cause permanent disabilities, including chronic pain and loss of movement. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury as the result of another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the economic (e.g., medical bills, lost wages) and noneconomic (e.g., pain and suffering) damages you have suffered as a result.

Will I Be Able To Walk Again?

While there is no cure for SCI, it is important to remember that every injury is different. Many victims see some improvement over time. With the proper care, you may as well. The Issaquah personal injury attorneys at Dean Standish Perkins & Associates keep track of recent developments in the treatment of these injuries, and they can guide you toward the medical care you need.

What Kind Of Medical Care Do I Need?

Generally, the medical treatment for SCI is to help patients restore their lost motor function and prevent further deterioration. There are some cases of SCI where a full recovery — or just a partial recovery — is not possible. However, with the right treatment, many patients see improvement or learn how to function better. To pay for medical treatment, you may need to consider legal action to recover a settlement or award.

How Can I Find Legal Advice About My SCI?

Our team of personal injury attorneys can help you. We have outstanding experience helping people and their loved ones whose lives have been affected by catastrophic personal injuries. When you contact us in person, you can learn more about your options, your rights and what to expect.

Contact A Spinal Injury Lawyer In Issaquah, Washington

Over a lifetime, the financial and emotional costs of spinal cord injuries can seem insurmountable. If you are facing life with a spinal cord injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, our Issaquah spinal injury attorneys can help you secure compensation to pay for the care you need and account for the emotional toll of your injury. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you pursue the recovery to which you are entitled.