Thousands of Americans suffer from a spinal cord injury each year. These injuries are devastating and can result in life long care causing significant physical challenges and emotional stress.
Living with a spinal cord injury is extremely costly and can result in life long medical bills, loss of income, lengthy hospital stays, rehabilitation services and more.
Below are recent statistics on spinal cord injuries:
- There are roughly 17,000 spinal cord injuries a year.
- About 282,000 people are currently living with a SCI.
- The average age of injury is 42 years.
- 80% of all spinal cord injuries happen to men.
A spinal cord injury can be sudden. It can happen at any given time from playing your favorite sport, a motor vehicle accident, serious fall, or any high-risk activity.
It is important to know the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention after any accident. The most common symptoms include:
- Pain, numbness or a burning sensation
- Inability to move or walk
- Inability to feel pressure, heat or cold
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
Every injury is different, and not all spinal cord injuries present symptoms immediately. Depending on the severity and location of an injury, symptoms may be delayed due to swelling and bleeding around the spinal cord.
As we enter into Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month, it’s important to know the facts. Please be aware of the symptoms and show your support by wearing green in the month of September.
If you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury in any type of accident due to negligence, call our attorneys from Daggett Shuler at 336-724-1234. When you call, one of our experienced North Carolina Spinal Cord Injury attorneys, we will speak to you for FREE and determine the best course of action.
We will review every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to protect your rights. Trust our team, we are here to help.
Daggett Shuler- You Can Depend on Us.