The spine is made up of 26 bone discs (vertebrae) that protect the spinal cord and allow you to bend and straighten. Trauma to the spinal column can impair the ability of the spinal cord to send and receive messages from the brain to the body.
If you have suffered spine injury through someone else’s negligence, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III and Associates, PLLC, we are tough advocates for injured people. Our spine injury lawyer in Houston will fight vehemently for your rights and give your case the care and attention it deserves.
According to the Shepherd Center, the most common causes of spinal cord injury in 2016 were:
Car accidents are a common cause of spine injuries in Houston. Trauma to the spinal column in a collision can cause fractures that require immediate surgery to prevent further spinal cord damage. Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis are catastrophic injuries sustained in automobile crashes with long-term consequences for the victim.
The spinal column is divided into four sections of vertebrae, any of which could sustain injury causing paralysis:
The higher on the spine the SCI is located, the more it affects the functions of the body. Paraplegia, involving paralysis of the legs and lower body, results from spinal cord injuries in the lumbar or thoracic sections. Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) results from injury to the cervical spine and affects all four limbs.
Spinal cord injury can be complete or incomplete.
A violent automobile collision can cause serious damage to the spine including fractured vertebrae, ruptured discs, and spinal cord injury. If you have suffered serious spine injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Damages you may be entitled to claim include:
A spine injury case requires the assistance of a personal injury attorney. Spinal cord injuries can lead to a lifetime of challenges, and the need for long-term medical care, at a high cost. If injured in a vehicle accident, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, as a pedestrian, or another incident, the personal injury claim or lawsuit must establish that the liable party caused your spinal injury through an act of negligence
In spinal injury cases associated with defective products, such as a faulty airbag or seatbelts, the claim or lawsuit may be filed against a vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer, retailer, or other responsible parties. The process for a spinal injury case is similar to that of most other personal injury claims.
It consists of the following steps:
The length of a spinal injury case can vary widely. The length of time to resolve varies, based upon the extent of the injuries, the investigation into the facts in your case, and the negotiation process. In many cases, the discovery process may take from six months to a year. While there is no set amount of time that a spinal injury claim can take before it is settled, most injury claims are resolved within one to two years.
Most personal injury attorneys, including Willie Powells, work on a contingency fee basis. Under this agreement, the attorney will only be paid for their services if you receive compensation in the form of a settlement.