Spinal cord injuries tend to be incredibly expensive. They prevent people from using their bodies below the location of the injury. In many cases, people experience a complete loss of function and sensation. The medical care they require and their symptoms may limit their earning potential can cause financial devastation.
Those who acquired spinal cord injuries in motor vehicle collisions might hope to pursue compensation from the driver at fault for the crash. Insurance coverage or compensation awarded after a successful lawsuit can help people replace their lost wages and pay for their medical expenses.
People may hope to undergo the most cutting-edge treatment possible to improve their lives and limit the symptoms of their injuries. Is a full recovery ever possible after a spinal cord injury?
Incomplete injuries can improve
Medical professionals classify spinal cord injuries by both their severity and their location. Doctors generally use the nearest vertebra to designate the location of the injury. They also indicate in their diagnosis whether the injury is complete or incomplete.
An incomplete injury may involve tearing or pinching of the spinal cord. A complete injury involves severing the spinal cord. Those with incomplete injuries may see their symptoms improve with interventions ranging from surgery to rehabilitation.
Those with complete spinal cord injuries typically experience permanent symptoms. They still require regular ongoing medical support to ensure their health and quality of life even if treatment can’t reverse the damage.
Medical advances promise a brighter future
Researchers have made great strides toward addressing the physical limitations created by spinal cord injuries. Not long ago, researchers published a groundbreaking study reporting how the use of implanted medical devices could help those with complete spinal cord injuries regain their ability to walk.
The research involved only three adult male patients, and many more years of development are necessary before such treatments become widely available to the general public. Those who meet certain criteria may eventually qualify for care that could help them regain some lost function following a complete spinal cord injury.
People adjusting to life after a car crash causes a spinal cord injury may need to pursue compensation from the party at fault for the incident. Adequate compensation can help people pay for the best treatment available and can ensure their basic standard of living after they acquire a spinal cord injury.
Car insurance frequently falls short of the cost of care following even incomplete spinal cord injuries. Taking legal action is often necessary if those with spinal cord injuries want to minimize the financial impact that these injuries have on their lives.