September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. This month, Daggett Shuler examines some of the statistics surrounding the potentially devastating and life-altering effects that a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can have.
The Underlying Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), Spinal Cord Injuries result from the following causes:
- 38% from Vehicular Accidents
- 32% from Slip-and-Fall Injuries
- 14% from Acts of Violence
- 8% from Sports-Related Injuries
- 5% from Surgical Malpractice
- 4% from Unspecified Causes
The NSCISC estimates approximately 288,000 people in the United States currently live with the effects of some form of SCI. These effects include both Tetraplegia—paralysis of all four limbs—and Paraplegia—paralysis of the legs and lower body. With the current United States population estimated to be 327 million, they estimate an annual incidence of Spinal Cord Injuries in the U.S. at approximately 54 cases per one million people. This amounts to nearly 17,700 new cases of SCI every year.
The NSCISC has released a 2018 report on Spinal Cord Injuries. The organization operates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation—and is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
The Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
Among those who suffer SCIs, the long-term prognosis breaks down as follows:
- 48% suffer from Incomplete Tetraplegia
- 20% suffer from Incomplete Paraplegia
- 20% suffer from Complete Paraplegia
- 12% suffer from Complete Tetraplegia
- 1% make a Full Recovery
We Can Help.
If you or someone you love has suffered a Spinal Cord Injury, contact Daggett Shuler Law for help. An experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney can handle your entire case and work to secure fair and just compensation for you.
If you have questions about a Spinal Cord Injury claim, call Daggett Shuler at 336-724-1234. When you call, you will speak with a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney absolutely FREE. We will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve.
Daggett Shuler Law – You Can Depend on Us