Spinal Cord Anatomy • Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
California Permanent Disability Attorneys
Permanent spinal cord injury occurs in the United States at a rate of more than twenty times per day. Over 80% of those who sustain SCI are male, with the highest per capita rate of injury occurring between ages 16 and 30. The spinal cord injury specialists at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have represented individuals whose spinal cord injuries have been caused by vehicle accidents, violence, falls, sports-related trauma, and other causes.
Typically, a sudden blow to the head or neck results in a vertebral fracture or dislocation, contusing, impacting or severing the spine. Once spinal damage has occurred there is no known cure. Because such injuries are permanent, devastating and costly, it is critical that victims have attorneys who understand spinal cord anatomy, how such injuries are caused, and what types of care will be required in the future.
When the SCI is complete, there is no sensory or motor ability below the level of the injury. With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some nerve impulses are conveyed from the brain, allowing some sensory and motor function. Our spinal cord injury lawyers have extensive experience with SCI victims, so we know the current and long-term needs of spinal cord injury patients. We negotiate settlements, and, if necessary, litigate in court to obtain the necessary compensation for victims and their families.
- Brain: The brain receives and interprets electrical signals from throughout the body which travel through the spinal cord. When a portion of the spinal cord is injured or cut off, the brain does not know of, or respond to, stimuli related to that segment of the spinal cord.
- Spinal Cord: The nerve fibers in the spinal cord transmit information to and from the brain.
- Cervical Spinal Nerves (C1-C8): These nerves are associated with the back of the head, the neck and shoulders, the arms and hands, and the diaphragm.
- Thoracic Spinal Nerves (T1-T12): The twelve pairs of thoracic nerves are associated with the chest, some back muscles, and parts of the abdomen.
- Lumbar Spinal Nerves (L1-L5): These nerves supply the lower parts of the abdomen and back, the buttocks, some parts of external genital organs, and parts of the legs.
- Sacral Spinal Nerves (S1-S5): The sacral nerves are associated with the thighs and lower parts of the legs, the feet, most of the external genital organs, and the anus area.
Damage at any level of the spinal cord will affect all those areas below that level. The severity of the trauma, as well as its placement on the spine anatomy, determines how extensive the resulting paralysis will be.
- Tetraplegia or Quadriplegia: Complete paralysis of the body from the neck down
- Hemiplegia: Paralysis affecting only one side of the body
- Paraparesis: Partial paralysis of the lower limbs
- Paraplegia: Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs
Toll-Free Call: 1-888.732.8897
The spinal cord injury attorneys and traumatic brain injury lawyers at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger represent clients in California and Nevada. Our lawyers will meet with injured people and their families in our office, at your home, or in your hospital room.
