Summerlin Spinal Cord Injury

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?

The spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the body through nerve signals, enabling movements and other bodily functions. It also receives sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, pain, and vibration, and relays it to the brain.

Additionally, the spinal cord mediates reflexes (automatic, involuntary responses to stimuli). Spinal reflexes are controlled by neural pathways within the spinal cord — they don’t require conscious brain involvement. 

When your spinal cord is injured, any of these functions can be affected. An SCI can be complete or incomplete. A complete SCI is when there is a total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of the injury. An incomplete SCI means that some preservation of motor or sensory function is preserved below the injury level.

The common symptoms of SCI include loss of movement (paralysis), loss of sensation, breathing difficulties, loss of bowel and bladder control, pain or pressure in the neck, back, or head, involuntary muscle spasms, and autonomic disruptions.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Summerlin

Various factors can contribute to you sustaining a spine injury. 

These include:

• Car accidents
  • The force of an auto accident can result in an SCI through direct impact, sudden twisting or bending, and compression of the spine by fractures of the vertebrae (bones) that protect it. Some roads and intersections in Summerlin report a high number of car accidents. Examples include Desert Inn Road, Town Center Drive, Summerlin Parkway, and the intersections of Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard and Flamingo Road and Rainbow Boulevard.
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
  • The sudden impact of a fall can fracture the bones protecting the spine, leading to compression.
• Bicycle accidents
  • When a bicycle collides with a car, force can be transferred to the cyclist’s spine.
• Sports injuries
  • Falls and forceful movements in sports can lead to a spine injury.
• Medical malpractice
  • Errors in the medical field, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and medication errors, can damage the spinal cord.

Types of Spinal Injuries We Can Represent

Our spinal cord injury law firm represents different types of spinal injuries, including:

• Whiplash: Due to delayed symptoms and potential damage to the nerves, whiplash can be more severe than perceived.
• Herniated discs: Also known as slipped or ruptured discs, it occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer. 
• Spinal contusions: A bruise or swelling of the spinal cord due to trauma.
• Spinal concussions: A temporary disruption of spinal cord function.
• Paraplegia: A spinal cord injury that causes paralysis of the lower half of the body.
• Quadriplegia/tetraplegia: Paralysis of the four limbs (legs and arms) and sometimes the torso.
• Fractures (vertebrae): These include minor cracks or severe breaks to the bones that make up the spinal column.

Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury 

Physical Consequences

These are:

• Loss of sensation and/or motor function: This can be caused by the disruption of communication between the brain and the body.
• Chronic pain: Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt the normal pain-modulating pathways.
• Bladder and bowel control issues: When the brain can’t send signals to the bladder and bowel, they won’t function normally.
• Respiratory problems: The interruption of nerve signals between the brain and muscles involved in breathing can lead to breathing difficulties.
• Spasticity: The disrupted communication between the brain and the spinal cord can result in reflexes becoming overactive and uncontrolled.
• Secondary complications: The body’s response to the initial trauma on the spine can cause secondary complications, such as pressure sores, infections, and trouble sleeping.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

An SCI can lead to emotional and psychological impacts, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of independence, and changes in social life and relationships.

Financial Burdens

The financial burdens that can result from an SCI are:

• Immediate medical expenses like emergency room (ER) care, surgery, stays in an intensive care unit (ICU), and medications.
• Long-term medical care like rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, medications, and caregiver costs.
• Mobility equipment like wheelchair, braces, and other assistive devices.
• Home modifications like ramps, accessible bathrooms, widened doorways, and kitchen modifications.
• Loss of income and earning capacity.

Why You Need a Summerlin Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

If you sustain an SCI, you should work with a spinal cord injury lawyer to navigate complex Nevada personal injury laws. Your attorney will ensure you are adequately informed about the laws that apply to your case.

They will also investigate the accident to establish liability using their expertise and that of other professionals. Additionally, your attorney will gather evidence to strengthen your case, including medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony.

Another reason for seeking spinal cord injury legal help is to calculate your damages, both past and future. Your attorney will work closely with a financial advisor, medical experts, and other specialists to understand the extent of the damages you incurred. In turn, you can request a just spinal cord injury settlement.

It can be challenging to deal with insurance companies using different tactics to deny liability or reduce payout. Lawyers are skilled in negotiating with insurers. Your attorney will help you receive what you deserve.

You need to fight for the maximum spinal cord injury compensation to avoid incurring costs out of pocket in the future. An experienced attorney can help you achieve this.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

The damages you can recover when you file a spinal cord injury claim are:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (Past and future)
• Lost wages (Past and future)
• Property damage (Cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the accident.)
• Rehabilitation costs (Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and so on.)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
  • Physical and emotional
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Punitive damages
  • If the other party’s action that caused your injury can be deemed malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive (gross negligence), you can claim punitive damages.

Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law

Nevada’s comparative negligence law is considered when recovering damages. You can only recover damages if your percentage of fault is not greater than that of the other party. It should be 50% or less. You will be compensated based on your percentage of fault.

A personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case, minimizing your percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Nevada

Generally, you have two years from the date you sustained a spinal cord injury to file a claim in Nevada. If your injury occurred due to medical malpractice, you have three years from the date of injury, or one year after you discover or reasonably should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first.

It’s important to get legal guidance immediately after an accident to protect your eligibility for filing a claim.

What To Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

When you are involved in an accident, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention even if you don’t feel pain. Certain SCI types can have delayed symptoms. A doctor should examine and treat you as soon as possible.

If you are injured in a car accident, you need to report it to the police. If you slip and fall, notify the property owner or manager.

Moreover, you need to document everything. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, collect witness information, and keep your medical records organized. Avoid discussing your case with the involved insurance companies, as you may say something that can negatively impact your spinal cord injury compensation. Instead, contact a qualified Summerlin spinal cord injury lawyer.

How Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys Can Help You

For more than 34 years, Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, has been helping injured victims fight for their rights. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the years. Our lawyers are experts in handling medical and legal issues. We help clients navigate complex matters in their cases.

Further, we have a client-centered approach. We prioritize our clients’ needs throughout the process. You will receive personalized attention and compassionate support.

Our team of experienced attorneys will ensure a thorough investigation and evidence collection. We will collaborate with experts, including medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, financial advisors, and life care planners, to get a clear picture of your case.

When it comes to dealing with insurance companies, a reliable Las Vegas spinal cord injury attorney will aggressively negotiate for you to maximize compensation. And if a fair settlement isn’t reached, we will file a spinal cord injury lawsuit to protect your rights. We also have a contingency fee structure, which means no upfront fees. 
Contact us today to understand your options.

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