Spinal injuries can be extremely painful and complex, and in many cases, they cause several long-term effects. Some injuries cause immediate damage, but others change and evolve over time. What once started out as a slight pinching pain could later become partial paralysis, for example. In some cases, time heals the spinal damage, but in other cases, it may intensify, causing paralysis, chronic pain, loss of bowel control, and worse. If you or someone you love suffered a serious back or spinal injury, make sure you know what you’re up against.
Types of Back and Spinal Injuries
According to a clinical study, as much as 80% of the population will experience back problems at some point in their lives. In fact, back pain is one of the most common work-related issues, affecting nearly one-half of all working Americans. Back pain can happen because of repeated stress-related injuries or it might be the result of one specifically damaging incident. In any case, the results can be extremely painful and can result in permanent, life-altering side effects.
Back injuries occur when areas of the spinal cord, including vertebrae, ligaments, or disks, are impaired. This type of damage may occur from a traumatic accident, or it could be due to an infection, disease, or a non-traumatic injury that grew over time.
Spinal and back injuries can occur in several different ways, but some of the most common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Assault and acts of violence
- Alcohol-related incidents
- Falls
- Sports or recreational injuries
- Disease-related injuries
Potential Side Effects
Each back injury is unique in its own right, which means the symptoms and side effects can vary significantly in a case-by-case basis. The first thing anyone with a back injury needs to understand is that the spinal column is extremely complex. It houses several sensitive nerves, muscles, and bones, and it connects to the brain, which acts as the command center for the entire body. So, when someone injures their spine, any number of issues could ensue as a result. Even though the symptoms and side effects of a spinal injury may vary, there are a few symptoms that apply to most back injuries.
Some of the most common symptoms and side effects of a spinal injury include:
- Back or neck pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe headaches
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakness or loss of coordination
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in the back
- Loss of movement in the lower limbs, or the entire body
- Loss of sensation in any area in the body
- Uncontrollable spasms or exaggerated reflexes
Lasting Damage
Again, each back injury is unique, which means the resulting damage can vary in each individual case. Because the back is so complex, it is very likely that someone who suffers a back injury will experience lasting damage, though it isn’t guaranteed. In extreme cases, spinal injuries can lead to partial or full paralysis, or even death. In other situations, the injuries might still result in painful and life-altering complications like chronic pain, loss of bowel and bladder control, changes in sexual function, and loss of fertility. Those with back injuries might also experience a loss of muscle tone, respiratory problems, changes in feeling and sensation, and even depression. Additionally, the medical costs associated with spinal injuries, especially those that require ongoing care, can be astronomical.
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal injury due to someone else’s negligence or error, our firm wants to help. We may be able to help you seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, as well as pain and suffering.
Ready to get started? Contact Samster Konkel & Safran today to discuss your case with our Milwaukee personal injury attorneys.
