When you are deciding whether to pursue legal action for your spinal cord injury, working closely with an attorney who will explain all of your rights, options and their consequences can help you make the right decision for your situation. Contact our firm today to speak with a lawyer experienced in representing clients in spinal cord injury cases.
Learn More About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
At Kolker & Germeroth, L.L.C., we represent clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri who have sustained spinal cord injuries as a result of negligence. For more details about how we handle these claims, please visit our Spinal Cord Injuries page.
Below you will find some general information about how the law handles these claims. To get information about your specific case, contact our firm to speak with an experienced attorney.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Cord Injuries
Q: What is a spinal cord injury?
A: A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is traumatic injury to the spinal cord resulting in a loss of function, such as mobility and sensation, below the level of injury. The part of the spine that is injured and the severity of the injury will dictate how much function is lost. Most spinal cord injuries do not result in a severance of the spinal cord, but in a fracture of the vertebrae that compresses the cord, causing injury.
Q: What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
A: The most common cause of a spinal cord injury is a motor vehicle accident. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include deliberate acts of violence (such as a stabbing or shooting), falls and sports-related injuries.
Q: Who is at the highest risk for a spinal cord injury?
A: Of the 10,000-12,000 spinal cord injuries that occur in the United States every year, more than 80 percent of the injuries are suffered by young men between the ages of 16 and 30.
Spinal Cord Injuries - An Overview
A spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to an injury to the spinal cord resulting in varying degrees of loss of function and paralysis, depending on which part of the spine was injured and the severity of the injury. The injury can occur from a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, or from illness or disease. Over 250,000 people in the United States currently live with a spinal cord injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, there are legal options available to you. An experienced attorney from Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri can speak with you about your rights and options for pursuing a case against those responsible for your spinal cord injury.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to another person's negligent acts, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. The amount of compensation will depend on the individual circumstances of your case and your state's laws.
Treatment Options for Spinal Cord Injuries
The cost of treating and caring for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the US tops over $4 billion ever year. For the thousands of Americans living with spinal cord injuries, current treatment options focus on helping them learn to live with their disabilities and become as independent as their injuries allow.
The Anatomy of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are serious and it may not be obvious that someone has a spinal cord injury. The treatment immediately given a person with one of these injuries is critical to limiting the amounting of harm done and preventing secondary injuries from occurring.
Causes of Action for a Spinal Cord Injury
Victims of spinal cord injuries caused by another party's negligence have legal options available to them to seek compensation for their injuries. The type of lawsuit and the amount of compensation that can be sought will depend on the circumstances of the specific case and state law. Some of the types of lawsuits that may be pursued include actions for personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability and premises liability.
Spinal Cord Injuries Resource Links
National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)
Resource for individuals with spinal cord injuries, offering information on current policy initiatives, adjusting to spinal cord injuries, links to state-specific resources and other information.
Spinal Cord Injury and Disease Resources
Gateway resource offering links to other sites with general information on spinal cord injuries, the latest research and treatment options, support and chat groups, reading lists, fact sheets and more.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
Web site maintained by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation providing information on research initiatives, survivor stories, outreach opportunities and other tools for those living with or caring for a person with a spinal cord injury.
Craig Hospital
The Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado is renowned for its treatment and rehabilitation of people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The web site has information on both types of injuries, current treatment options and the hospital's programs and services.
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
The Miller Project is run by the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami and is the world's largest spinal cord research center. The site provides information on the project's research.
