Two Types of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are categorized as complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury results in paralysis below the site of the injury. There is no feeling or voluntary movement, and both sides of the body are affected equally.
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when only part of the cord is damaged through a tear, spinal cord compression or other injury. People with incomplete injuries may experience partial paralysis. They may retain some feeling and voluntary movement on one or both sides of the body. Incomplete spinal cord injuries have become more common, thanks to advances in medical treatment.
Overcoming Misperceptions
The personal injury lawyers of McLeish Orlando LLP work to overcome the misperception that incomplete spinal cord injuries are less serious. We know that incomplete SCIs present their own set of challenges and complications.
For example, a person with an incomplete SCI may retain feeling in the affected area, but may experience constant pain that is impossible to ignore. The chronic pain can be debilitating to the point where the person cannot function. Affected areas of the body may require more active therapy to build strength and support function.
A Distinct Set of Challenges
Our lawyers work to educate the insurance company representative or the jury about the unique nature of incomplete SCIs and why, in some instances, it can be more difficult for someone with an incomplete SCI to rejoin the workforce.
Every person with a spinal cord injury is different. However, insurance companies want to believe they are somehow all the same. We work diligently to show that you are an individual with unique needs, not an actuarial statistic. We look at issues unrelated to mobility, such as pain, fatigue, bowel and bladder function, and other concerns to show why your need for care and compensation may vary from the norm.
If you or a member of your family has sustained a spinal cord injury, please contact us by e-mail or call toll free 888-494-8201. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explain how we can be of assistance. From offices in Toronto, the personal injury lawyers of McLeish Orlando represent clients throughout southern Ontario.
