The Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, almost 18,000 people experience a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) every year in the US. These injuries can be incredibly debilitating, leading to weeks in the hospital and months or years in recovery. In many cases, full recovery is not possible, and patients are left partially or fully paralyzed, or with other effects that degrade their quality of life. But how do these injuries happen? What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States include the following in descending order:

• Vehicular accidents including motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Violence/assault
• Sports-related injuries
• Surgical or medical procedures
• Diseases 

Male patients between the ages of 15 and 35 are the most frequently injured of all types. However, female patients are also well represented. 

Vehicular accidents and slip-and-fall accidents together account for almost 60% of all spinal cord injuries. Many of these situations involve negligence on the part of another person. For instance, a slip and fall accident within a grocery store on an improperly signed section of wet floor could easily lead to a spinal cord injury that was not the fault of the injured person. Another example would be a motorcycle accident in which the driver of the at-fault car was not paying attention to the road and did not see the motorcycle driver.

The Ramifications of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can result in a wide range of detrimental outcomes, even with immediate medical attention. If immediate medical care is not provided, these injuries often prove fatal. Some of the most common outcomes include:

• Full or partial paralysis
• Neurological deterioration
• Psychosocial issues
• Inability to control muscles or muscle groups
• Chronic pain
• Loss of bowel and/or bladder control

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

If you or a loved one sustained a spinal cord injury through the negligence, action, or inaction of another individual, there is hope. Working with an experienced attorney can provide a path forward. You don’t have to face those mounting medical bills alone and your attorney can also hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and decisions. Contact the team at Grewer Law today to discuss your case and learn more about the process.