SANTA CLARITA SPINE INJURY ATTORNEY


​Have you suffered a serious neck or back injury from a car accident?  Spinal cord injuries are usually caused by a quick and sudden impact to the spine or back. The injury can arise from a number of situations, including automobile accidents. Spinal cord damage often creates a displacement of spinal disc elements or causes serious bruising of the spinal cord tissue. Injuries to the region can often cause serious nerve damage that can be difficult to detect.

​At their worst, spinal cord injuries can result in complete paralysis of their victims. We can help victims of accidents recover significant financial awards to cover their medical and related damages.

If you’re a victim of a spinal cord injury, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. If you file a personal injury claim, you may be compensated for:
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  • Past Medical Expenses
  • Future Medical Expenses
  • Pain and Suffering Damages
  • Loss of Past or Future Wages

Since most spinal cord injuries in the United States are the result of motor vehicle accidents, violence, and falls, it is important to retain legal representation in order to pursue any claim for damages. After an accident, many people are taken advantage of because they are unaware of their rights.  Spinal cord injury cases generally take months or years to settle and involve multiple investigations, so it is important to contact a spinal cord injury lawyer as soon after the accident as possible. This ensures that we can review your case in a timely manner and that any claim is filed within the California statute of limitations.

A severe car accident can cause a herniated disc in your spine. Spinal discs are like cushions in between the vertebrae. These discs provide cushion to the vertebrae. Of course, over time, these discs start to degenerate. The discs are filled with fluid. But when a disc is damaged, it can bulge or break. This is a herniated disc. Sometimes a herniated disc is called a ruptured disc or slipped disc. When a disc is damaged in an auto accident, the fluid inside the disc can leak which affects the cushion between the vertebrae. If the herniation is significant, it can put pressure on the nerves running along the spinal column. This can cause significant pain running up and down the body since everything is connected to the spine. This pain can “radiate” throughout the body – through the extremities. The pressure on the nerve causes “radicular” pain which is pain that shoots through the body. Different nerves in the spine are generally associated with different parts of the body. Sometimes doctors can figure out which nerve is affected due to the area of the body having the most pain. For example, leg pain is associated with lumbar (back), or arm pain comes from a cervical (neck) herniated disc.

A disc injury is usually easy to diagnose. However, a herniated disc is tougher to diagnose. This is because the disc doesn’t show up on a basic x-ray. Therefore, herniated discs aren’t usually diagnosed in the hospital after a car accident. Sometimes a subsequent CT scan, MRI, discography, myelography, or an electromyography can help diagnose herniated discs. Even then, it is tough for a personal injury case because you have to show an “acute” injury which means the injury can be related to the auto accident. If the herniation pre-dates the accident, there is the argument it was asymptomatic until the accident. The car accident may have aggravated the condition in some way. Sometimes this is a tough sell, especially if a client has disc bulges at several disc levels as is often the case as we age.

Spinal cord injuries caused by car accidents can have life changing consequences. The common types of cord injuries and their typical treatments are as follows:

Cervical Spine Injuries - These involve the neck area (C1 C7 vertebrae) and can result in quadriplegia, where all four limbs are paralyzed. Severe injuries can lead to significant disability.
 
Thoracic Spine Injuries - These affect the mid back (T1 T12 vertebrae). May cause paraplegia, which is paralysis of the lower body. These injuries are less frequent, due to the protection provided by the rib cage.

Lumbar Spine Injuries - These occur in the back (L1 L5 vertebrae) and often lead to paraplegia but typically allow for movement and function in the body.

Sacral Spine Injuries - These impact the sacral region (S1 S5 vertebrae) and can influence the hips, groin and lower limbs often resulting in leg function loss and bladder/bowel control issues.

Differentiating between incomplete spinal cord injuries involves a total loss of sensory and motor function, below the level of injury. In cases where there is not loss some sensory or motor functions may still be present, below the level of the injury.

Common Approaches for Treating Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents:

Initial Care - Ensuring stability to prevent harm. Administering corticosteroids like methylprednisolone within 8 hours of the injury to reduce inflammation and secondary issues.

Surgical Procedures - Decompression Surgery involves alleviating pressure on the cord caused by bone fragments herniated discs or other obstructions. Stabilization includes using metal plates, screws or rods to support the spine. Spinal Fusion entails connecting two or more vertebrae to restrict movement and offer stability.

Therapy - Physical Therapy; Enhancing muscle strength boosting mobility and preserving range of motion. Occupational Therapy; Aiding in activities and adapting to methods of performing tasks. Assistive Devices; Employing wheelchairs, braces and other tools to enhance independence and movement.

Medication Usage - Pain Management; Utilizing medications like opioids, NSAIDs and muscle relaxants for pain control. Spasticity Management; Providing drugs to lessen muscle spasms.

Ongoing Assistance - Psychological Assistance; Offering counseling and mental health services, for addressing depression, anxiety and adaptation challenges. Vocational Rehabilitation; Supporting with job retraining and employment guidance.

​Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

Spinal cord injury? Call today for free advice.