Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Passen & Powell has substantial experience representing people with severe spinal cord injury (SCI) — as a result of motor vehicle crashes, falls, workplace accidents, medical negligence and other causes.
We have developed a deep understanding of the severity and subtleties of spinal cord injury, how to prove their injury was preventable through reasonable care of others, and the financial burden their families will face for the rest of their lives. For a Free Consultation, call us at 312-527-4500.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
Any damage to the spinal column may affect the spinal cord and result in temporary or permanent neurological damage. The spinal column comprises 31 vertebrae (bones) in the cervical region (neck), thoracic (upper and middle back) and lumber/sacral/coccygeal (low back). Any damage to the spinal column may affect the spinal cord and result in temporary or permanent neurological damage.
Each year, over 12,000 people require medical treatment for spinal cord injury, not including those who die at scenes of accidents. This equates to over 300,000 people in the United States living with some type of spinal cord injury.
Motor vehicle crashes and workplace accidents account for the largest percentage of reported spinal cord injury cases. The following chart breaks down the main causes of spinal cord injury:
It may come as a surprise to learn that approximately 1 in 50 people are living with paralysis. That equates to 6 million people. Over 1 million of those people are paralyzed because of a spinal cord injury. Other major causes of paralysis include stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, neurofibromatosis and traumatic brain injury.
Costs of Living With Spinal Cord Injury
The financial costs — putting aside the physical and emotional costs — associated with spinal cord injury can be substantial. Costs vary greatly depending on the person’s age and severity of spinal cord injury. The following chart from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center identifies the national average yearly medical expenses (in 2011) depending on the severity of spinal cord injury:
| Severity of Injury | First Year | Each Subsequent Year |
| High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) | $1,023,924 | $171,808 |
| Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) | $739,874 | $109,077 |
| Paraplegia | $499,023 | $66,106 |
| Incomplete motor function at any level | $334,170 | $40,589 |
Over the course of a person’s lifetime, these expenses easily calculate to costing many millions of dollars in medial expenses. Based on Passen & Powell’s experience representing clients with severe spinal cord injury — especially paraplegia and quadriplegia — these numbers are actually low. These figures do not include other substantial financial costs, such as lost wages and benefits.
To speak with one of our top-rated injury attorneys regarding a spinal cord injury caused by the negligence of another person or company, call Passen & Powell at 312-527-4500 for a Free Consultation.
