Scans of the spinal cord
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By Joseph Dell
Managing Partner

A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious ailments a person can suffer. The effects of a spinal cord injury extend far beyond the spine itself. The long-term effects of spinal cord injuries can touch upon everything from organ function to bone health, and they often leave victims partially or totally immobile. To put it frankly, there are few health issues more catastrophic than a spinal cord injury. In this article, we discuss the long-term effects of a spinal cord injury. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Resulting in Long-Term Effects

There are several types of spinal cord injuries that can result in long-term effects, including:

Cervical injuries: Cervical injuries affect the vertebrae in the neck. Injuries to the vertebrae of the neck can result in paralysis and other serious issues.

Thoracic injuries: The 12 vertebrae at approximately the chest level of the spine are the thoracic vertebrae. Injuries to the thoracic vertebrae can result in paralysis.

Lumbar injuries: The vertebrae in the lower back are called the lumbar vertebrae. This area is a common site of back pain for spinal cord injury victims. 

Sacral injuries: The sacral vertebrae are located at the end of the spinal column. Injuries to the sacral vertebrae can cause pain and other symptoms, including dysfunction of the legs and hips.

Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can affect a person’s health, personal life, and professional life. Below is an overview of some of the ways these injuries can affect victims in each of these categories.

Health Effects

Common health effects of spinal cord injuries include:

  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Loss of sexual function
  • Loss of sensation 
  • Loss of the ability to move specific body parts
  • Pain
  • Loss of mobility
  • Difficulties with breathing
  • Uncontrollable spasms or reflexes 
  • General weakness 

Effects on Personal Life

A spinal cord injury can also do the following to a victim’s personal life:

  • Adversely affect personal relationships
  • Negatively affect a victim’s abilities as a parent 
  • Cause mental health issues, such as depression, suicidality, and other serious problems
  • Deprive the victim of physical activities that they previously enjoyed

Effects on Professional Life

Finally, a spinal cord injury can significantly affect a person’s professional life. The effects of a spinal cord injury on a victim’s professional life may include:

  • Abandonment of a career that the victim has invested years into
  • Deprivation of the fulfillment that a career provides
  • Loss of income, promotions, bonus opportunities, and benefits
  • Diminished earning capacity

Contact Our New York & Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Attorney 

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Long Island, New York, you should contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Dell & Dean, PLLC, for assistance. When you come to us for assistance with your spinal cord injury case, we will examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, plan a legal strategy, and aggressively seek financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule a consultation with a Long Island personal injury attorney

About the Author
Joseph G. Dell, the firm’s Managing Partner, is regarded as one of New York State’s top trial lawyers and a zealous advocate of those injured through the negligence of others. Having founded the firm in 1994 with the singular goal of leveling the playing field for those injured, Mr. Dell has worked tirelessly for his clients since its inception. In addition to meeting with clients on a daily basis and trying cases, Mr. Dell is a frequent lecturer at Law School and Bar Associations on cases of significant importance in the fields of negligence and medical malpractice. If you have any questions regarding this article, you can contact Mr. Dell here.