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Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Expenses
Florida Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Attorneys
Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Plantation, the Palm Beaches and the Florida Keys
There are two types of spinal cord injuries:
- Complete, in which the cord is so severely damaged that there is no function below the level of the injury
- Incomplete, in which damage to the cord is not severe enough to prevent all function below the level of the injury
Rehabilitation potential following spinal cord injury depends greatly on the type of injury you have sustained.
The Anatomy of the SpineThe spine is comprised of 33 vertebrae:
- Four coccygeal
- Five sacral
- Five lumbar
- 12 thoracic
- Seven cervical
By adulthood, the coccygeal vertebrae and sacral vertebrae will have fused to form one complete bone each – known as the coccyx and sacrum respectively. Rehabilitation and recovery depends not just on the type of spinal cord injury, but the area of the spine that has been impacted.
Rehabilitation PotentialInjury to vertebrae one though five of the lumbar spine (L1-L5) will typically result in paraplegia, though some muscle movement may be possible below the legs. It is possible that, with rehabilitation, victims of lumbar spine injury will be able to walk short distances with the assistance of braces and similar devices.
Injury to vertebrae one through six of the thoracic spine (T1-T6) will typically result in paraplegia with loss of function below the mid-chest. Injury to vertebrae seven through 12 of the thoracic spine (T7-T12) may cause a loss all function below the waist. With rehabilitation, some victims of thoracic spine injury will be able to be fully independent with the help of a wheelchair.
Cervical injury is the most limiting and offers the least amount of rehabilitation potential.
- C2-C3 is typically fatal. When not fatal, this injury will necessitate full time care
- C4 results in quadriplegia and difficulties regulating breath. Ventilators are necessary for breathing and complete dependence on professional care will be necessary
- C-5 results in quadriplegia, though some shoulder and elbow function may be present. Self-feeding may be possible with this injury, though breathing and other tasks will require support
- C6 results in quadriplegia, though shoulder, elbow, and wrist function may be present. This can make wheelchair use possible, but significant assistance will still be required for daily tasks
- C7 results in quadriplegia, though shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand function may be present. This injury may allow for more independence as wheelchair use and even driving is possible with certain modifications
- C8 results in quadriplegia but may allow for normal arm function. Rehabilitation potential with C8 injuries is very similar to that with C7
The bottom line is, even with rehabilitation, full recovery is simply not possible following spine injury. Tragically, many victims of this injury are left without a way to pay for necessary medical support, particularly when insurance is relied upon for compensation.
Joseph Lipsky believes victims of spinal cord injury deserve better. He is here to take your case and fight for your rights, and to help you secure the full compensation you are due.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Keys or the Palm Beaches, we urge you to CONTACT the Law Offices of Joseph I. Lipsky, P.A., either ONLINE or by CALLING us:
(888) FLA-LAW8 - Toll Free
(954) 693-0073 - Fort Lauderdale - Plantation
(305) 821-7333 - Miami-Dade
(561) 514-3535 - Palm Beaches
(305) 296-6300 - Florida Keysto arrange for your FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION. The call and personal injury consultation are FREE, so do not delay in calling to find out about your legal rights.
