Fort Worth Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Experienced representation for Texas spinal cord injury victims
Spinal cord injuries are life-changing. Some victims become fully or partially paralyzed, The pain can be excruciating. Many accident victims are unable to work, function, enjoy their families, and enjoy life’s pleasures. Many victims need permanent medical care long after the initial surgery and rehabilitation are complete.
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyers have more than 200 years of combined experience holding drivers, property owners, employers, and others accountable for preventable accidents. We work with neurosurgeons, neurologists, and the rest of your medical team to document the severity of your injuries, the medical help you’ll need, and all the ways your injury makes life difficult and painful. Our lawyers have extensive experience and a proven track record of success in representing spinal cord victims throughout Texas.
What is a spinal cord injury?
Nearly 300,000 US residents are currently living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
The Mayo Clinic defines a spinal cord injury as damage to the whole spinal cord and damage to the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries affect a victim’s strength, ability to feel pain and other sensations, and the ability of the body to function below the location of the injury. Spinal cord injuries are categorized as:
- The victim has some motor function and sensory function below the SCI site.
- The victim completely loses any motor function or sensory function below the SCI site.
The severity of an SCI is classified as:
- Tetraplegia (quadriplegia). Your arms, hands, legs, pelvic organs, and trunk are affected.
- Your legs, pelvic organs, and trunk are affected.
In addition to the loss of sensory function and motor function, SCI symptoms include a lack of bladder or bowel control, spasms, sexual function changes, stinging sensations, and pain. Patients may have respiratory difficulties as well. Johns Hopkins University states that the higher up in the spine your injuries, the more serious your symptoms. Damage to the C1-C4 vertebrae, for example, can affect your ability to breathe.
Severe symptoms include respiratory difficulties, pressure injuries, loss of muscle tone, increased odds of developing osteoporosis, and loss of deterioration of fitness and wellness. In addition to the physical trauma, many spinal cord injury victims suffer with different emotional and psychological problems.
What types of accidents cause spinal cord damage in Fort Worth?
Many spinal cord injuries are due to sudden forceful blows to the spine that compress, crush, dislocate or fracture one or more vertebra. In addition to the damage due to the initial force, additional damage occurs due to inflammation, bleeding, swelling, and fluid accumulation.
At Slack Davis Sanger, our personal injury lawyers handle the following types of accidents that may cause an SCI:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Jet Ski and watercraft accidents
- Worksite accidents
- Accidents while on another’s property
- Oilfield accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
We work with investigators, question all witnesses, and take numerous other steps to help show how the accident happened and who is responsible.
How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?
It is critical that the spine of any accident victim be kept stable until the physicians make their diagnosis. Generally, the spine, neck, and head should be kept immobile. Doctors will begin with a physical and oral exam of the accident victim. Common imaging tests include X-rays (mainly to see if there are any fractures or other internal damage), CT scans (that look for bone, muscle, organ, and fat damage), and MRIs (that use radio frequencies, computer software, and magnets to help make the diagnosis). Physicians may also order blood tests.
What are the treatments for a spinal cord injury?
Surgery is a common procedure for many SCI victims. The surgery helps address any fractures, stabilizes the vertebrae, helps with breathing, releases any pressure on the spinal cord, and treats any other injuries. After the surgery, patients are likely to stay in the hospital until the swelling subsides. The medical team will also focus on any bowel, bladder, or breathing difficulties.
Treatment for an SCI focuses on rehabilitation and assistive devices. A spinal cord stimulator may help. There is much research on prevention and new treatments. SCI victims, once the swelling subsides, will normally work with many health care providers, including:
- Rehabilitation doctors and nurses
- Physical, occupational, and vocational therapists
- Nutritionists
- Psychologists
Treatment of the emotional difficulties of living with an SCI is often as complicated and long-lasting as treatment of the physical injuries.
How can your Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorneys help?
We fight for Fort Worth accident victims in two ways.
First, we work with product safety experts, engineers, investigators, doctors, and others to show how the accident that caused your injuries happened, what should have been done to prevent the accident, and determine who is liable. We also request relevant documentation and review whether what laws or regulations may have been violated. Our lawyers are also skilled at the scientific and technical issues that often arise in accident litigation.
Second, we demand compensation for all your damages. Spinal cord injury victims need a lot of help. Their lives are often never close to what they were before the accident. We demand compensation for the victim’s:
- Medical bills – current and for the care they need for a lifetime
- Lost income – current and if they have a partial or full disability
- Pain and suffering – for every day they are in pain, physically and emotionally
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Our Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyers have an office at 100 Lexington Street Suite 70. We also meet clients in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Get help from an experienced Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyer now
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyers answer all your questions. Defendants have insurance companies and high-priced defense lawyers fighting for them. You need experienced resourceful persuasive advocates on your side as well. Most accidents that cause spinal cord injuries are preventable. You have the right to hold the responsible defendants accountable. To discuss your legal rights, please call us at 800-455-8686 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Fort Worth Office
100 Lexington Street
Suite 70
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Main Fort Worth Practice Areas