Many Connecticut residents probably know intuitively that spinal cord injuries of any sort are life-altering.
The majority of spinal cord injuries, close to 2 our of 3 involve some loss of mobility either throughout one’s body or, less commonly, just below the waist.
Basically 1 out of 3 people who suffer a spinal cord injury experience complete paralysis. More specifically, 20% experience complete paralysis from the waist down, while just over 13% are not able to move either their arms or their legs.
The best way for people to prevent these devastating injuries is to driver carefully. Most spinal cord injuries, 38%, are due to some sort of motor vehicle accident.
Falling is the second most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Just a hair over 30% of these injuries are attributed to some sort of all. Of course, falling can happen for a number of reasons. They can happen on public or private property, at work and at nursing homes and other medical facilities.
Of course, not every car accident and not every fall that causes a spinal cord injury will be the fault of someone else. Unfortunately, though, many of these accidents would have been prevented had another driver, a landowner, etc. exercised a little more care and caution.
Other common reasons for spinal cord injuries include assaults, gunshots and other acts of violence and complications in surgery or other medical procedures.
Spinal cord injuries exact an enormous emotional and financial tool on victims and their families. If their injuries are the responsibility of another person, the family may be able to obtain compensation for their losses.