Our Asheville Attorneys Help You Recover Damages for Your Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that approximately 273,000 Americans currently live with a spinal cord injury. Many of these spinal injuries were caused by the negligence of another person or a corporation. For more than three decades, Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., has helped victims and their families overcome the devastating consequences of this tragic injury. Often there is no cure, but you may have access to treatments that can improve your functionality, health, independence and quality of life. Our goal is to obtain the financial compensation you need to get the care you deserve.
Causes Of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can occur in a variety of ways, including:
- Damaged discs: Your spinal cord is protected by bony vertebrae, which in turn are cushioned by pliable discs. A herniated disc injury can cause the jellylike substance contained in the discs to swell and put pressure on the nerves of your spinal cord.
- Impact to the spine: A violent blow or jolt to your back can partially or totally sever your spinal cord. Common causes of traumatic spinal damage include falls from height, sports injuries, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, violent assaults and work injuries.
- Disease: Some diseases – such as meningitis or cancer – can attack the central nervous system and cause irreparable damage to your spine. You may contract an infectious spinal disease through contaminated pharmaceuticals. Also your condition may worsen if your doctor fails to make a timely diagnosis.
Types Of Spinal Injuries
The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classifies the level of injury according to the ASIA impairment scale and muscle function grading. Doctors use the ASIA impairment scale to describe the amount of spinal damage. Complete injury refers to a total lack of all motor and sensory function. Incomplete injury means the patient preserved some motor or sensory function. Muscle function grading rates the level of mobility, with 0 representing total paralysis and 5+ indicating the patient is within normal ranges of movement and sensation. The effects of a spinal injury depend on the section of your spine that is injured and the amount of damage, resulting in:
- High tetraplegia – or paraplegia – may occur when vertebrae C1 to C4 are damaged
- Low tetraplegia means the upper and lower body parts controlled by C5 to C8 are affected
- Paraplegia is paralysis of the body parts below a damaged lumbar vertebra
Recover Compensation For Injuries To Your Spinal Column
Obtain the maximum compensation possible for your spinal cord injury. Our North Carolina firm assists injured clients throughout the Southeast through pro hac vice representation. We handle your injury case on a contingency fee basis – meaning you do not pay us until we recover damages for you.
Call Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., at (828) 383-8414, or contact us online to schedule your free first-time consultation with our experienced personal injury legal team.