El Paso, Texas Spine Injury Lawyer

Attorney Assisting With Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico

The spinal cord is a crucial component of the body's central nervous system, and any injuries to the spine are not only likely to be incredibly painful, but they can lead to partial or complete paralysis. Due to the costs involved in treating spinal cord injuries, victims and their families should be sure to work with an attorney to determine how to recover compensation from those who were responsible for the injury.

As a tough, family-oriented law firm, James Kennedy, P.L.L.C. is dedicated to helping victims of serious injuries recover compensation for the financial and personal damages they have suffered. Attorney James Kennedy is Board Certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Over his more than 25 years of experience, he has taken cases to trial every year, and he is prepared to fight in court on your behalf to ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spine injuries can occur in a wide variety of situations, but they are commonly caused by car wrecks and slip and fall accidents. They may also be the result of sports injuries, assaults, or work-related injuries. Regardless of the reason, they can be incredibly serious and painful, and they may require corrective surgery and extensive physical therapy. In many cases, the damage is irreversible, and victims experience partial or complete paralysis.

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the level of the spine that is injured and the extent of the damage. A complete spinal cord injury, which occurs when the spine is severely damaged or severed, will result in complete loss of function below the level of the injury. In an incomplete spinal cord injury, a victim will retain some functions, but they will likely still have extensive loss of sensation and motor functions.

The level of impairment a person experiences will depend on the section of the spine that is injured. Injuries fall into one of four categories:

1. Cervical spinal cord injuries - When a person experiences whiplash or other injuries to the neck, their cervical vertebrae may be dislocated or fractured. Damage to the spine at this level is likely to result in quadriplegia, in which a person loses sensation and motor functions in all four limbs. If the spine is injured at the third cervical vertebra or higher, the victim may become unable to breathe without the assistance of a respirator.
2. Thoracic spinal cord injuries - Injuries to the vertebrae in the upper and middle parts of the back may result in paraplegia, in which a person loses control of their legs and the lower parts of the body.
3. Lumbar spinal cord injuries - Injuries to the lower back may cause loss of function in the hips and legs. Victims may also experience loss of control of their bowels and bladder.
4. Sacral spinal cord injuries - Damage to the spine in the pelvic area above the tailbone may result in some loss of function in the hips and legs, as well as some loss of bowel and bladder control.

Any type of spinal cord injury is likely to have a significant financial impact on a victim and their family. Expenses will include the costs of immediate and ongoing medical treatment, surgery, and physical therapy. Victims are likely to become disabled, requiring accommodations such as wheelchairs, home modifications, and in-home nurses. These disabilities can also result in significant loss of income during the recovery period, and many victims are permanently unable to return to work.

Contact an El Paso, Texas and New Mexico Catastrophic Injury Attorney

If you or a member of your family have experienced a spinal injury that has resulted in paralysis, it is likely that someone is to blame for the harm done to you. Whether your injury was caused by a negligent driver, property owner, or employer, you deserve to be compensated for the damages you have suffered, including both the financial effects of your injury and non-economic damages for the physical and emotional pain and suffering your family has experienced. To learn how I can help you recover the financial compensation that fully addresses the harm done to you, contact James Kennedy, P.L.L.C. at 915-544-5200. I offer free consultations, and I represent clients in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, including El Paso, Odessa, Midland, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, and throughout the Permian Basin. Se Habla Español.