Liberty Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a tube-like band of tissue that spans the distance between the lower back and the brain and relays messages through nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The signals that the nerves submit allow movement and feeling sensations. Damage to any part of the spinal cord could disrupt function and movement. Minor injuries can heal with adequate treatment, but permanent damage can result in paralysis below the site of the injury.

The three main parts of a spinal cord are:

• Cervical – neck
• Thoracic – chest
• Lumbar – lower back

There are also nerves, cells, and tissue that serve different purposes. The vertebral column covers and protects the spinal cord. The column consists of vertebrae and spinal discs. Each disc acts as a shock absorber and cushions the vertebra.

The spinal cord is one major part of the nervous system and serves these functions:

• Transmit senses – The brain receives signals from the spinal cord and processes sensations like pain.
• Manage reflexes – The spinal cord doesn’t need the brain for certain involuntary movements of the body.
• Control bodily movement and function – The spinal cord transmits signals to and from the brain and other parts of the body. It can control involuntary functions, such as breathing rate and heartbeat.

An external factor can cause spinal cord or nerve trauma, resulting in function, strength, and sensation issues below the injury site. The severity of a spinal cord injury determines the classification it falls under:

• Complete – A complete spinal cord injury causes a person to lose total feeling and control below the injury site.
• Incomplete – An incomplete spinal cord injury only causes some motor or sensory function loss.

The symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on the severity and location of the damage but could include:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty with coughing, breathing, or clearing the lungs of secretions
• Exaggerated reflexes or spasms
• Loss of or altered sensation
• Pain or intense stinging sensation from damage to the nerve fiber
• Loss of movement below the location of the injury

Spinal cord injuries could lead to various long-term complications, including:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Depression
• Persistent pain
• Muscle atrophy
• Paralysis in the arms or legs
• Higher risk of heart or lung issues
• Sexual dysfunction
• Inability to regulate blood pressure or body temperature
• Joint contracture

If you notice any symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident, you should seek immediate medical care. Even if you think the trauma to your body caused only minimal damage, a doctor should examine you to determine the extent of the injury. With prompt and adequate treatment, you might regain mobility and function.

Deadline to File a Lawsuit for a Spinal Cord Injury

There is a timeframe you must follow if you want to sue the at-fault party for your injury. Missouri’s statute of limitations allows a five-year period. That means you have five years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit.

If the statute expires, you could lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. However, if you are under a legal disability at the time of the injury, you could delay the timeframe. Legal disabilities include:

• Mental incapacitation – The five-year statutory period won’t start to run until you are no longer mentally incapacitated.
• Under 21 – The statutory period will begin when you turn 21 years old.