Austin Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers, Texas
Tough representation for spinal cord injury victims in Texas
Your spine is the part of your anatomy that helps you walk, bend, lift, and move. It consists of the vertebrae to hold your spine in place, nerves to communicate with your brain, disks, and other body parts. Damage to your spine can mean chronic pain, an inability to work, and not being able to enjoy life’s pleasures. Spinal cord damage is often caused by fractures, forceful injuries, falls, and dislocations. Most victims require a lifetime of care.
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Austin spinal cord injury lawyers understand just how traumatic spine injuries are. We work with your medical team and our network of neurologists and other spine health doctors to show just how crushing your injuries are, what medical care you’ll need, and how your injury impacts every part of your life. We fight to hold all responsible defendants accountable for changing your life. Our lawyers have an impressive record of jury verdicts and settlements in Austin personal injury cases.
"Slack Davis Sanger represents the ultimate in professionalism combined with a true caring attitude.” - Colonel Ray Toler, Client
How often do spinal cord injuries happen?
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, estimates that about 300,000 Americans are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The average hospital stay is a week-and-a-half. The average time for rehabilitation is a month. Victims with severe spinal cord injuries or paralysis often require a lifetime of help. Many victims return to the hospital and rehabilitation center during their lifetime.
What is a spinal cord injury?
According to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, “A spinal cord injury is damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina) that often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury.”
The ability of an Austin accident victim to control his/her limbs if they have an SCI depends on the location of the injury and the severity of the injury. Spinal cord injuries are classified as:
- The victim loses all sensory feeling and ability to control motor function – below the location of the spinal cord injury.
- The victims retain some sensory and motor function below the affected injury location.
There are two types of paralysis due to a spinal cord injury:
- Tetraplegia (quadriplegia). The SCI affects your arms, hands, trunk, pelvic organs, and legs.
- The SCI affects all, or some, of your trunk, pelvic organs, and legs.
Some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury include loss of movement, altered sensations, loss of bladder or bowel control, spasms, changes in sexual function, pain, intense stinging sensations, and respiratory difficulties. According to Johns Hopkins University, the most serious symptoms occur higher up in the spine. Injuries to the neck, C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae can affect your ability to breathe.
Complications include pressure injuries, circulatory control disorders, respiratory difficulties, an increased risk of osteoporosis, changes in muscle tone, and deterioration of fitness and wellness. Many SCI victims suffer from depression and anxiety.
What types of accidents cause spinal cord damage in Austin?
Any forceful injury can cause a spinal cord injury. The Mayo Clinic states that “a traumatic spinal cord injury can stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae.” Secondary damage may occur after the initial accident due to swelling, inflammation, bleeding, and the accumulation of fluids in and around the spinal cord.
The common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Vehicle accidents including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Falls from heights such as scaffolds or ladders
- Construction site accidents
- Assaults such as those that occur due to negligent security by a property owner
- Defective products
- Explosions
Medical malpractice may also cause a spinal cord injury.
How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed in Austin?
The first step after an accident in Austin is to ensure that the victim is moved to a local ER – with extreme caution so the spine doesn’t move in transport. After conducting an oral and physical examination, your doctor will order several diagnostic tests including:
- X-rays. This test examines if there are any fractures and examines the organs and internal tissues.
- Computed tomography scans (CT scans/Cat scans). This test uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology. CT scans look for damage to the bones, muscle, organs, and fat.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses magnets, radio frequencies, and computer software to examine your body.
Your doctor may also order blood tests.
How is a spinal cord injury treated in Austin?
The first step is to immobilize the victim’s head and neck. Surgery may be required to examine the injury, stabilize the vertebrae, release any pressure on the spinal cord, and treat any non- SCI injuries. Many patients are first placed in an intensive care unit (ICU). Your doctors may take steps to reduce the swelling, treat any breathing difficulties, ensure proper nutrition, and address any bowel or bladder problems.
Unfortunately, there is no current cure for an SCI. The medical strategies involve rehabilitation and assistive devices. A spinal cord stimulator may help manage your pain. Researchers are working on methods to regenerate the spine.
After the initial diagnosis and treatments, SCI victims often work long-term with:
- Rehabilitation nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Case managers
- Doctors who specialize in rehabilitation
- Nutritionists
Many Austin SCI victims also need numerous sessions with psychologists to learn to cope with their inability to use their body, their pain, their anxieties, their relationships with family and others, and many other emotional difficulties.
How do we fight for spinal cord injury victims in Austin?
Our Austin spinal cord damages answer all your questions and guide you through the claims process.
We work with investigators, product safety experts, engineers, and others to help show how the accident happened, and who is responsible. We also conduct discovery (oral questions, written questions, and requests for documents) to help prove a defendant is liable.
Our team works with you, your doctors, your employers, and others to help show just how much harm the defendants caused. In spinal cord injury cases, we demand compensation for:
- Your medical bills, even if you need help for your lifetime
- Your financial losses including lost income, permanent disability, and property damage
- Your pain and suffering
- Compensation for scarring and disfigurement
- Compensation for loss of function
- Loss of consortium (an SCI affects your relationship with your spouse)
We seek punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct is completely inexcusable, such as when a drunk driver caused your injuries.
Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Our Austin spinal cord injury lawyers meet clients at our Austin location located at 6001 Bold Ruler Way, Suite 100. We also meet clients in Dallas and Fort Worth. Since many SCI victims are immobile, we do visit clients at their homes or a hospital.
Review your rights with a respected Austin spinal cord injury lawyer now
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Austin spinal cord injury lawyers fight to help you obtain strong verdicts and just settlements. When a defendant’s negligence causes you harm, you deserve all the compensation the law permits. Our lawyers prepare each case for trial. It’s our success trying cases before juries that persuades many insurance companies to settle your claim. To assert your rights, please call 866-531-1657 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Austin Office
6001 Bold Ruler Way
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746
Main Austin Practice Areas