Spinal Cord Injury

Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe injuries you can sustain in an accident. Your spinal cord is responsible for relaying information to your brain, and when nerves are severed or cells are damaged, every system in your body is adversely affected.

The Pennsylvania spinal cord injury lawyers at Atlee Hall, LLP have a comprehensive understanding of the severity of these cases and the lifelong impact these injuries can have on you and your family. We are devoted to helping victims of spinal cord injuries in Pennsylvania recover from their losses.

Over 40% of spinal cord injuries are the result of injuries suffered in car accidents, but spinal cord injury can be sustained under a number of other circumstances including construction accidents and sports injuries. Spinal cord injuries are specific to the nerves in the spinal column, and not all injuries to your back or the spine will result in injuries to these nerves.

If just the vertebrae, or bones, are damaged, the nerve tissue of your spinal cord may remain intact. When the spinal cord is damaged in any way, the damage can block messages to your nerve receptors, causing limited motion, paralysis, and more depending on where along the spinal cord the damage is.

Loss of Function Due to Spinal Cord Injuries

The nerves that travel up and down your spinal cord all serve a specific function in your body. Depending on the area affected, the consequences of the injury can vary wildly.

Damage to nerves in the cervical spine (at the base of the skull) may result in:

• Paralysis
• Loss of hand and arm function
• Loss of the ability to breathe
• Quadriplegia

Damage to nerves in the thoracic spine (at the chest area) may result in:

• Paraplegia
• Loss of dexterity
• Loss of abdominal control

Damage to the nerves in the lumbar and sacral spine (at the hips or pelvis) may result in:

• Inability to control leg muscles
• Loss of bladder control
• Loss of sexual function

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Options

When the spinal cord is severed, there can be no restoration of physical ability. However, in cases where the cord remains intact, functionality, both limited and complete, may be restored. Immediate medical intervention will help determine your ability to recover from a spinal cord injury. Treatment options include:

• Medication that can reduce swelling and stop further damage to the nerves from occurring
• Surgery to remove fluid, tissue, and bone fragments from the spine
• Traction and immobilization to allow for anatomic realignment
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Oftentimes, recovery from a spinal cord injury is lengthy and expensive, and the loss of wages from an inability to work combined with the emotional turmoil for you and your family can leave you feeling helpless. We are dedicated to helping ease this process, and getting you a settlement that will fully cover your losses.

If you live anywhere in Pennsylvania and have suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the Philadelphia or Lancaster offices of the experienced spinal cord injury attorneys at Atlee Hall, LLP to schedule a comprehensive initial consultation.