The latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that about 500,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) every year. The majority of these injuries results from traumatic events, such as traffic collisions, falls, and violence.
Perhaps the most alarming finding is that poor medical care and rehabilitation accounts for many of the consequences that arise from SCI and not necessarily the injury itself. Survivors that cannot afford or do not have access to proper medical treatment, assistive devices, and surgical procedures are at a greater risk for developing dangerous secondary conditions, such as pressure ulcers, infections, and respiratory illnesses.
The emotional and psychological consequences of SCI can be devastating, as well. In many cases, victims that suffer the sudden loss of mobility often experience exclusion from their former lifestyle, such as attending school, maintaining a job, and participating in other social activities. According to the WHO report, as many as 20 to 30 percent of people that survive a SCI accident show clinical signs of depression, which can greatly impact an individual’s health and overall enjoyment of life.
Legal Recourse after a Spinal Cord Injury
If a person suffers such a life-altering injury caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, it is important to investigate potential legal action to hold that person or entity accountable for their conduct. Legal action may be necessary to recover financial losses and to obtain quality medical care and long-term treatment that will have a major impact on a SCI survivor’s ability to recover or reach maximum improvement. Legal action also holds the wrongdoer accountable and can prevent this type of careless or reckless conduct from hurting anyone else in the future.
The Waco spinal cord injury attorneys at Brown Trial Firm, PLLC can help understand your legal rights and options following an injury accident. Please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 393-2611 for a free consultation.