Spinal cord injuries can happen to anyone, in any scenario and the injury can be extremely serious or fatal. The spinal cord is the principal organ responsible for transmitting information between the brain and the body. There are different severities for spinal cord injuries ranging from minor disabilities to a lifetime of needing 24/7 care. A common term used when discussing spinal cord injuries is completeness. A complete injury is when you lose sensation or the ability to move an affected area. Whereas with an incomplete injury, a person might still have some ability to move and function to a certain extent.

Many times, an injury or the severity of it, is preventable by using safety precautions. Let’s take a look at the most common ways spinal cord injuries happen so you can know when and where to be more cautious:

Vehicle Accidents (38%)

The leading cause of spinal cord injuries, damage typically occurs when sections of the bone, discs or ligaments become bruised or tear. The danger is a real possibility in many cases due to the violent trauma of a vehicle collision. Always wearing a seat belt and using defensive driving techniques will improve your likelihood of avoiding an accident.

Falling (30%)

Anyone that is 60 years of age or older has the highest probability of falling and injuring themselves. Individuals between 16-50 years of age have the highest chance of falling due to a work-related accident. High falls, which are frequently work-related, potentially result in thoracic and complete injuries. While falls from shorter heights at times result in incomplete cervical injuries. Being careful when you walk, carry items or climb up a ladder is the most crucial factor.

Acts of Violence (14%)

When brain or spinal injuries occur during acts of violence, the range of possible damage depends on the severity of the action and weapon used. Understanding why and how acts of violence will ultimately better prepare you. Self-defense protocols combined with intelligent decisions can help avoid common issues where you can be subject to assault.

Sports Injuries (9%)

The proper management and protection of acute spinal injuries across athletic playing fields are crucial. Sports participation is the second most common cause of spinal cord injuries for Americans 30 years of age and younger. Participating in contact sports increases the likelihood of injury, it’s imperative to use safe tactics along with correct conditioning to avoid significant injury.

Sadly, other times spinal cord injuries happen solely from pre-existing medical conditions. For example, a spinal cord injury can also occur from diseases, both from birth and contracted later in life. It is important to note that the spinal cord does not need to be severely damaged for the loss of a bodily function to occur.

Did You Suffer a Spinal Cord Injury?

In any scenario where you or a loved one is injured, trust Grabb & Durando personal injury lawyers to help you. Call us at 520.222.2222 if you have an inquiry regarding a spinal cord injury, our team can guide you in the right direction.

We can assist in a variety of different ways and will fight to get you fair compensation after a spinal cord injury.