Spinal Injury in Texas

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) affect an estimated 450,000 people in the United States every year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. Doctors are optimistic that science will someday allow us to fully treat injuries to the spinal cord, but current medical treatments are not up to the task. The most affected age group is persons aged 16-30, making up more than half of all spinal cord injuries, with 80% of these cases being male. The next largest affected age group is persons over the age of 65. Unfortunately, the leading cause of spinal cord injury is auto accidents – often due to the negligence or carelessness of another and leads to total or partial paralysis for the victim.

Have you or a family member suffered an injury to the spine in an auto accident? Chances are it may be due to another party’s negligence. Contact Carabin Shaw today to find out at 800-862-1260.

Not all injuries to the spine are the same. Like many other kinds of injury, spinal cord damage can range in severity. Injuries to the spine are usually classified from incomplete spinal concussions to complete SCIs.

• Spinal Concussions – these can range from incomplete to complete. They occur when the damage is transient or resolvable. Usually, these kinds of injuries happen in contact sports like football, and the victim is expected to make a full recovery. They can cause tingling sensations, numbness, or a burning feeling in the extremities, as well as other neurological disorders.
• Incomplete SCIs – a sufferer of an incomplete SCI may still retain minor function in their extremities. They may also have greater function on one side of their body over the other.
• Complete SCIs – 50% of all SCIs are complete. A victim of a complete SCI loses all feeling in the lower part of the body or the entire body apart from the head if the damage is great enough. The more severe the level of injury, the less likely the victim will recover.

Almost half of all new cases of spinal cord injury are caused by motor vehicle accidents. What’s even worse is that alcohol is involved 25% of the time a spinal cord injury occurs. Drunk and distracted driving is a huge problem in Texas and across the nation. Alcohol is a part of 60% of all fatal auto accidents that occur during the night. When they are not fatal, drunk driving accidents often result in terrible injuries. Unfortunately, statistics show that three in ten Americans will be involved in an auto accident involving alcohol. It is no surprise that auto accidents cause nearly 50% of all SCIs in the United States.

Those over age 65 often suffer serious injuries when they fall. In fact, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of SCIs for those 65 and older. Sometimes, a fall can be the result of the negligent actions of an individual or a business. For example, leaving a dangerous walkway or step without proper warning signs or not placing the proper warning sides or guards near slippery pool walkways. It is the moral and legal obligation of a business to provide reasonable safety measures for its customers in the United States. Failure to do so can result in catastrophic injury for the elderly that could permanently change the rest of their lives.

Injuries to NFL players are something Americans hear about in the news all the time. Injuries don’t just occur in professional sports, however. According to the NSCIA, those ages 16-30 make up slightly more than half of all new cases of SCIs in the United States. Catastrophic injuries can happen even in high school or college sports. Usually, spinal concussions that result from contact sports are expected to heal fully, but this is not always the case. The organizations we trust to prioritize the safety of our athletes are not always up to the task.

If you or a loved one has received an injury to the spine for any of the above reasons, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Contact our legal counsel today at 800-862-1260.

Spinal Cord Injuries come with fear and uncertainty for those who suffer from them. The last thing anyone who is suffering and in severe pain wants to deal with is complicated legal battles. That’s where we come in.

The Law Office of Carabin Shaw has been representing the injured in San Antonio and across Texas for thirty years. We understand the complications associated with proving negligence in a personal injury claim, and we have access to ample resources to represent your claim. Contact our team today to find out if you have a case, completely free of charge at 800-862-1260, or fill out this form. We look forward to working with you.