Workers Compensation Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Virginia

 

We Help Injured Workers, Car Accident Victims, and Disabled Adults Obtain Monetary Awards and Medical Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries Suffered In and Around Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Fairfax, and Roanoke. Call Our Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation!

 

A spinal cord injury can change your life and the lives of your family members and friends. Losing the ability to walk, move your arms and hands fully, or otherwise control your own body independently will require the support of others. The same people you used to support physically, financially, and emotionally will now need to encourage and support you. This can take some getting used to.

 

There is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of if you have suffered a spinal cord injury. But you must hold the negligent party or your employer accountable because you will require compensation to get the medical care you need for your spinal cord injury and related medical conditions and to maintain your pre-injury quality of life. As your Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer, Corey Pollard will help you recover monetary damages and receive medical care for your injuries.

 

This article provides an overview of the spinal cord, common causes of spinal cord injuries, signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury, and things you should consider when negotiating a spinal cord injury settlement in Virginia. Please keep reading to learn more, then contact workers compensation lawyer and car accident attorney Corey Pollard for more information and a free consultation. We have negotiated many personal injury and workers’ compensation settlements for spinal cord injury victims, and can help you win your Social Security disability claim if you are unable to return to work because of a spinal cord injury.

 

What is the Spinal Cord?

 

The spinal cord is your body’s highway. It communicates signals between your brain and the rest of your body. Your brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system that controls your body’s activities.

 

The spinal cord is a long structure that extends from the base of the brain to the low back. The cord is protected by bones in your spinal column. These bones are called vertebrae.

 

The vertebrae are separated by disks made of cartilage. These disks provide cushion, support, and flexibility.

 

The spinal column is divided into four sections. Each section contains vertebrae and spinal nerves running through the spaces between the vertebrae. Each spinal nerve runs from a specific vertebrae to a specific part of your body. And each spinal nerve, with the exception of the first spinal nerve, has two nerve roots. The root in the front of the spinal nerve carries signals from the spinal cord to muscles so that the your muscles move. The root in the back of the spinal nerve carries sensory information from the body to the spinal cord. This is why a spinal cord injury can affect different parts of your body.

 

The spinal cord’s sections are:

 

  • Cervical Spinal Cord. Also known as your neck, the cervical spinal cord includes the first seven vertebrae at the top of the spine. These are referred to as C1 -C7 vertebrae. Learn more about cervical spinal cord injuries.

 

  • Thoracic Spinal Cord. Also known as your chest, the thoracic spine contains the next twelve vertebrae. These vertebrae are referred to as T1-T12 vertebrae. Learn more about thoracic spinal cord injuries.

 

  • Lumbar Spinal Cord. Also known as your back, the lumbar spinal cord consists of 5 vertebrae near the base of your spine. The lumbar vertebrae are labeled as L1-L5. Learn more about lumbar spinal cord injuries.

 

  • Sacral Spinal Cord. Located in the area of your pelvis, the sacrum has five vertebrae that are fused together. They are labeled S1 to S5. The spinal cord ends in the low back but the lower spinal nerve roots continue into this area and form a bundle of nerves called the cauda equina. Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical condition that may require emergency surgery.

 

This is a basic overview of the spinal cord and spine column. The spinal cord is organized with many different parts. For example, the outer part of the spinal cord consists of white matter with nerve fibers. An injury to the spinal cord in a work accident or motor vehicle crash can cause damage to many different parts of your body.

 

What are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Virginia?

 

As spinal cord injury attorneys for hurt workers and auto accident victims, we have seen injuries of the spinal cord and vertebrae happen many different ways. The leading causes of spinal cord injuries include:

 

  • Auto Accidents. Most spinal cord injuries result from motor vehicle crashes, with men more likely to get injured compared to women.

 

  • Falls

 

  • Gunshot Wounds

 

  • Diving Accidents

 

  • Motorcycle Accidents

 

  • Falling Objects

 

  • Pedestrian Injuries

 

  • Bicycle Accidents

 

  • Assaults

 

  • Medical and Surgical Complications

 

If you are experiencing symptoms following one of the above events, contact a spinal cord injury lawyer right away.

 

A work-related accident or car crash may contribute to non-traumatic spinal cord injuries such as:

 

 

Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury in Virginia

 

A spinal cord injury will damage the nerves and cause a range of symptoms. Some of these symptoms show up right away, while others take time to develop.

 

The location and severity of the spinal cord injury will determine the symptoms you experience. Common spine injury symptoms include:

 

  • Pain, numbness, or burning
  • Loss of sensation
  • An inability to walk or move the legs
  • An inability to move the arms or hands
  • Loss of muscle control
  • Muscle spasms
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Loss of bowel control
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Paralysis
  • Frequent infections
  • Bedsores
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pressure sores
  • Blood clots

 

How are Spinal Cord Injuries Diagnosed?

 

A doctor will assess you for a spinal cord injury based on the type of accident you suffered, the location of your injury and, and your symptoms. The clinical evaluation will be followed by objective testing.

 

Spinal cord injuries are diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) tests. Radiological imaging is necessary.

 

Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries

 

Spinal cord injury victims should not be moved until emergency medical personnel arrive. The initial goal is to prevent additional damage and to make sure the person is breathing. Usually a person with a spine injury will be strapped to a back board to keep the back and neck from moving too much. Increased pressure on the spinal cord increases the risk of paralysis.

 

You may require surgery for your spinal cord injury to remove blood and bone fragments that have accumulated around the spine or to repair additional damage. Either an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon may operate on you.

 

In addition to surgery, the following types of medical care are used to treat spinal cord injury victims:

 

  • Physical therapy
  • Prescription drugs such as corticosteroids, pain relievers, and muscle relaxers
  • Ambulatory devices
  • Counseling
  • Palliative care
  • Spinal cord stimulator
  • Pain management, including the use of a pain pump

 

A Virginia Workers Compensation Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer to Help You Recover Fully and Obtain a Workmans Comp Spinal Cord Injury Settlement

 

The only way to get justice for your spinal cord injury is through money. We can’t force an apology from your employer, the insurance carrier, or the driver responsible for your injuries, pain, and suffering, but as your spinal cord injury attorney we can try to recover as much money as possible for you.

 

The cause of your spinal cord injury determines what legal route – or routes – you can take: workers’ compensation or personal injury.

 

Workers’ Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Virginia – How to Negotiate Your Work Comp Spinal Cord Injury Settlement

 

You may receive workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer a spinal cord injury in an accident arising out of and in the course of your employment. These benefits include:

 

  • Temporary total disability payments if you are unable to return to your pre-injury job or find any other job because of limitations resulting from an injury of the spinal cord.

 

  • Payment for permanent and total incapacity if you are unable to return to any type of substantial gainful employment because your spinal cord injury affects your arms or legs to the point you can no longer use them in employment.

 

  • Permanent partial disability benefits for loss of use of an arm or leg due to your spinal cord injury. For example, a lumbar spinal cord injury may result in permanent impairment of the legs. And a cervical spinal cord injury may result in loss of use of the arms or hands.

 

  • A lifetime medical award covering health care expenses related to your spinal cord injury, including home modifications and attendant care.

 

  • Vocational rehabilitation services to help you find a new career if you are unable to return to your old job due to limitations caused by the injury to your spine and vertebrae.

 

  • Temporary partial disability payments to make up the difference in pay if you are able to return to a light duty job following an injury to your spinal cord.

 

In addition to these benefits you may be able to negotiate a workers compensation spinal cord injury settlement. For more information on how much workers’ comp pays, contact us today. You can also view our articles on workers’ compensation back injury settlements and workers comp neck injury settlements, as these are related to spinal cord injuries.

 

Personal Injury Settlements for Spinal Cord Injuries in Virginia

 

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident you may have a personal injury claim for your spinal cord injury – whether the accident happened on the job or not.

 

You can recover damages for the following:

 

  • Past, present, and future medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

 

An experienced spinal cord injury attorney can help you maximize your recovery so that you have the financial means to provide for yourself and your family in the years to come.

 

An Experienced Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for Your Third-Party and Workers Comp Spinal Cord Injury Case

 

Call now for a free consultation: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614. We are ready to help you and your family obtain maximum compensation for your spinal cord injury and have negotiated many top-dollar workers compensation spinal cord injury settlements, including those involving herniated discs and spinal fusion surgery, for employees and accident victims around Virginia.

Corey Pollard
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