A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury you can experience in an accident. It can cause central nervous system damage and leave you suffering from serious pain and disability. If your injury resulted from the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. A Vermont personal injury lawyer takes this type of case seriously due to the severe repercussions you can experience. They will help protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery.
What Happens to the Spine When an Accident Occurs?
After the impact of an accident, your spinal discs may rupture or get displaced. As the discs compress, they can strain. The red blood cells rupture and damage nearby organs. In turn, there will be spinal cavity swelling, cutting off the supply of oxygen and blood in this area. In turn, this will affect nerves and neurons, impairing communication between your body parts and brain. If you don’t seek immediate medical attention, you may sustain permanent damage or even paralysis.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can cause you to lose sensory and motor function in the lower extremities, limbs, and torso. Spinal cord injuries can present symptoms such as loss of bladder or bowel movement, pain or stinging sensation, sexual function changes, changed sensation, neck pain, coughing, muscle tightness, and others.
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
Following an accident that impacts your spine, you may wonder what to do next. To preserve your legal rights, here are some steps you must take:
- Report the accident. Depending on the kind of accident alighacham94 you were involved in, you must report it to someone of authority. For instance, if it was a car accident, you should report it to the police. The report can create records of what happened, which can be used as evidence when you pursue a compensation claim. Also, the police can help preserve evidence and speak with those who witnessed the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention. No matter how you feel right after the accident, you must seek immediate medical attention to get a medical evaluation. When a doctor examines you, they can determine whether you are injured somewhere in your body. If they diagnose an injury, they can administer appropriate treatment, ensuring your safety. Also, a doctor’s visit will ensure you have documentation of your injuries, which the insurance company may require later.
- Speak with a skilled injury lawyer. When a personal injury attorney takes on your case, they will collect the necessary evidence that can be used to build your case. Then, they can demand a compensation amount from the at-fault party or their insurer. Your attorney can negotiate a fair settlement with either party. If your case needs to go to court, your attorney will give you solid court representation.