How to Get Justice for The Lasting Effects of Your Spinal Cord Injuries

A catastrophic injury that leads to spinal cord damage isn’t always a one-time event. It’s often a lifelong medical condition that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Depending on the severity of the injury and the level of the spine that was damaged, the effects can vary from partial loss of mobility to total paralysis, along with a whole host of other conditions. 

How can spinal cord injuries impact a person for the rest of their life?

Paralysis and Loss of Mobility 

The most immediate and life-altering effect of a spinal cord injury is paralysis. Paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower body) and quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down) are two of the most severe outcomes. Even incomplete spinal cord injuries, where some movement or sensation remains, can cause significant mobility challenges. 

Living with paralysis means needing wheelchairs, home modifications, physical therapy, and adaptive devices just to navigate daily life. It often prevents victims from returning to their careers, engaging in hobbies they once loved, or even completing routine tasks without assistance. 

Chronic Pain and Muscle Spasms 

Spinal cord injuries don’t just cause paralysis; they often come with severe and persistent pain. This can include: 

• Neuropathic pain (burning, tingling, or shooting pain caused by damaged nerves) 
• Muscle spasms and contractures (involuntary muscle tightness) 
• Joint and musculoskeletal pain from being unable to move certain parts of the body properly 

This chronic pain can make it difficult to sleep, work, or even enjoy time with family, impacting every aspect of a survivor’s life. 

Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Dysfunction 

The spinal cord controls many of the body’s automatic functions, including bladder and bowel control. After an injury, many people experience incontinence, constipation, or bladder infections, requiring catheters and other assistive medical devices. 

For both men and women, spinal cord injuries can also lead to sexual dysfunction, affecting intimacy and relationships. These challenges often go overlooked but have a significant emotional and psychological impact on survivors. 

Respiratory Problems 

For those with higher-level spinal cord injuries (especially in the cervical region), breathing difficulties can become a lifelong issue. Some individuals require ventilators or assistive devices to breathe properly. Even those who don’t need full-time breathing assistance are at higher risk for pneumonia and respiratory infections. 

Mental Health Struggles and Depression 

Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury is extremely challenging. Many survivors experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, and feelings of isolation. Losing independence, struggling with pain, and facing financial hardship can all contribute to serious emotional distress. 

Increased Risk of Secondary Medical Conditions 

Spinal cord injury survivors often face additional health complications, which can include: 

• Pressure sores from prolonged sitting or lying down 
• Blood clots due to poor circulation 
• Osteoporosis from lack of movement 
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to bladder dysfunction 

These conditions require ongoing medical care and regular doctor visits, leading to high medical expenses throughout a person’s lifetime. 

Why You Deserve Compensation for Your Spinal Cord Injury  

The financial, physical, and emotional costs of a spinal cord injury are enormous. The lifetime cost of care for a person with paraplegia can exceed $2.5 million, while costs for someone with quadriplegia can reach $5 million or more. 

You didn’t ask for this injury. If your spinal cord injury was caused by a car accident, workplace accident, fall, medical malpractice, or any other act of negligence, you deserve compensation to cover: 

• Medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and home healthcare) 
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential 
• Pain and suffering (both physical and emotional) 
• Home modifications and adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, ramps, accessible vehicles, etc.) 
• Long-term rehabilitation and mental health treatment 

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether, leaving victims without the financial resources they need. That’s why working with a personal injury lawyer is critical. 

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get Justice 

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, the legal process can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you: 

Prove Liability 

To win a spinal cord injury lawsuit, you must show that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. Your attorney will investigate the accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult medical experts to build a strong case. 

Calculate the Full Value of Your Case 

Many injury victims underestimate the true cost of their injury. It’s important to seek compensation not just for immediate expenses, but also for future medical costs, lost earnings, and lifelong care needs. 

Fight Back Against Insurance Companies 

Insurance companies try to pay as little as possible. They may offer a lowball settlement or try to shift the blame onto you. A skilled lawyer knows their tactics and will negotiate aggressively to get you a fair settlement. 

Take Your Case to Trial if Necessary 

If a fair settlement isn’t offered, you need someone who will be prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve. 

Don’t Wait to Seek Justice for Your Injuries 

A spinal cord injury changes everything. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to seek justice and compensation. 

At Morelli Law, we understand the devastating impact of spinal cord injuries, and we fight tirelessly to help victims recover the compensation they need. We’ve helped injury survivors hold negligent parties accountable and rebuild their lives after tragedy. 

Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact us today for a free consultation.