A spinal cord injury can lead to a permanent disability

Numerous workers in Colorado suffer spinal cord injuries each year. Just hearing those words can illicit fear for both the victim and the victim’s family. This type of injury can cause permanent disability, which in turn completely alters the victim’s life.

Most spinal cord injuries involve compression and fracturing of the vertebrae, but the spinal cord remains intact. The signals from the brain through the spinal cord can be interrupted. In an incomplete spinal cord injury, the signals are not lost, so at least some sensory and motor function exists. If the spinal cord injury is considered to be complete, no sensory or motor function remains.

Some victims will be able to completely recover from their injuries, but others could end up permanently paralyzed. Timing is everything when it comes to spinal cord injuries. If certain treatments are administered within eight hours of the injury, nerve damage can be limited.

Rehabilitation will be vital to recovery. Treatments can be tailored to an individual’s needs. Research is always being done to find new treatments and ways to help people who suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury. Research is also yielding new ways to increase mobility.

Depending on the severity of the injury, whether a Colorado worker will suffer a permanent disability from a spinal cord injury may not be known for some time. When an injury is suffered on-the-job, the workers’ compensation system is there to provide benefits such as coverage for medical and medical-related expenses. Compensation for lost income, temporary or permanent disability and other benefits may also be available. Having the assistance of someone who is knowledgeable in this area of law to advocate on the victim’s behalf will leave the victim free to focus on recovering.

Source: ninds.nih.gov, “Spinal Cord Injury Information Page”, Accessed on June 7, 2015

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