The Costly Reality of a Spinal Cord Injury
When it comes to catastrophic injuries, there may be no more heartbreaking and life-altering injuries than those to the spinal cord and the central nervous system. Victims of these injuries often face lifelong challenges and costly medical and rehabilitative interventions.
Spinal cord injuries occur when there is traumatic damage to the spinal cord or related nerves. These can result in loss of strength, loss of bodily functions, mobility, sensation, and even paralysis.
These injuries can be broken down into two categories:
- An incomplete spinal cord injury is partial damage to the spinal are that can affect loss of movement and can vary in severity.
- Complete spinal cord injury is one that causes permanent damage, resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia.
Unfortunately, those living with spinal cord injuries, whether complete or incomplete, often face a grim prognosis and years of costly home and medical care, ongoing treatment, and rehabilitative support. According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the care expenses of a spinal cord injury can be a staggering $200,000 to $800,000 for the first year alone with total costs ranging between $1.6 million and $3 million.
The spine and central nervous system, as delicate structures, are not designed to withstand catastrophic trauma. Today, the most common causes of spinal cord injuries are car accidents and slip and fall accidents. Many of these accidents are caused by the carelessness or negligence of another party.
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and their costly care. Although financial compensation will never make up for the physical and emotional consequences of these life-changing injuries, they can ease the financial burdens.
If you or a family member has sustained a spinal cord injury due to an accident, call our skilled team of accident lawyers in Ontario to understand how we may be able to help. (519) 658-6341
