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The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Content Legally Reviewed By
Matt Conner
Matt Conner Washington Injury Attorneys Helping Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are not minor injuries. These catastrophic injuries often carry long-term consequences for victims – and sometimes, can dramatically shorten a person’s lifespan, as well as the overall quality of life. A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage done to the spinal cord and communication between the brain and cord is halted. After the injury, a person could suffer from sensory, reflex, and motor issues. The more severe the damage, the more dysfunction the body will have. Unfortunately, everyone’s spinal cord injury and recovery will vary – and even those with similar injuries could have very different recovery results.
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?
Catastrophic spinal cord damage is typically done during trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, violent acts, recreational activity injuries, etc. Also, they can be caused by non-trauma, such as arthritis and cancer. For the purpose of this blog, we are focusing on how a spinal cord injury resulting from an accident – such as a pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident, or motor vehicle accident – can affect a person.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Can Affect a Victim
After a car accident, the full extent of one’s spinal cord damage may not be apparent. In some cases, depending on the injury type, a person may not be aware that there is spinal cord damage until days or even weeks later. Serious injuries may be more obvious, but hospital staff may not properly diagnose a spinal cord injury for several days after treatment, or busy emergency rooms may not have time to diagnose a patient right away – and the longer a spinal cord injury goes untreated, the more likely it is to cause permanent damage.
Just some ways in which a spinal cord injury can affect a person for the rest of his or her life include:
- A person may lose the ability to move. This can include the entire body, lower or upper regions, or certain extremities.
- A victim may not be able to have any sensation – such as touch.
- Bladder and bowel control may be non-existent, leading to the need for specialized equipment.
- The victim’s body may exhibit exaggerated reflex actions or muscle spasms – which are uncontrollable.
- Sexual sensitivity and even fertility may be affected.
- The victim could suffer from long-term pain or intense stinging sensations. Because this is deep within the spinal cord or nerves, the pain could be present even if he or she is prescribed pain medications.
Receive Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury – Contact an Injury Attorney in Washington Right Away
If you have suffered from a catastrophic injury to your spinal cord or a loved one has suffered long-term damage to his or her mobility from a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Speak with the Washington personal injury lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC today to explore your options. We help clients just like you seek compensation for their injuries and hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Schedule a consultation today at 800-925-1875, or request a consultation appointment online.
About the Author
Matt Conner
Matt Conner has a proven track record of success. Following his graduation from Willamette University with a double major in mathematics and economics, Matt worked as an economist for the Office of Economic Analysis for the State of Oregon before moving onto working in mortgage banking and real estate. Although Matt would move on to law school shortly thereafter, his experience in the financial sector has provided him with valuable experience in how to achieve maximum compensation for his clients.
June 28, 2026
June 28, 2026
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June 27, 2026
June 27, 2026
