Richland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Caring advocacy for catastrophic accident victims in WA
The spinal cord sends messages to and from the brain so your neck, back, and spine can move, turn, and sense pain. When accidents damage any part of the spinal cord, a victim’s life is never the same. Spinal cord injury victims may never walk or work again. Most live with unbearable pain, loss of function, and constant anxiety and stress.
At Telaré Law, our lawyers understand your fears. For 25 years, we’ve devoted our practice solely to fighting for personal injury victims in Richland, the Tri-Cities, and across Southeast Washington. Our lawyers are admired for our ability to show why accidents occurred, and who should be held liable for your injuries. We work with your medical team and our own network of healthcare providers to show just how traumatic and financially burdensome your spinal cord injury (SCI) is. Our lawyers prepare each spinal cord injury victim for trial. We only recommend settlements when adjusters make offers that compensate you justly for your claim.
How can we help?
- What is a spinal cord injury?
- What kinds of accidents cause injuries to the spinal cord?
- How do Richland doctors diagnose a spinal cord injury?
- What are the symptoms of an SCI?
- What are the complications of a Richland spinal cord injury?
- What treatment options are available for Richland spinal cord injury victims?
- What is the value of my spinal cord injury lawsuit?
- Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
What is a spinal cord injury?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine (a prestigious medical research university in Maryland), an acute spinal cord injury is a traumatic injury “that bruises, partially tears, or completely tears the spinal cord.” The spinal cord is the part of your anatomy that runs through a canal in the center of your vertebrae (bones). The spinal cord is the set of nerves that carry messages to and from your brain.
What kinds of accidents lead to spinal cord injuries?
Some of the many types of accidents that cause spinal cord injuries in and near Richland include:
- Motor vehicle accidents. These include car, truck, motorcycle, Uber/Lyft, and other types of vehicles.
- Construction accidents. Construction workers and anyone who works high off the ground are prone to an SCI if they fall.
- Premises liability accidents. These accidents may injure seniors, whose bones are more brittle than younger people. If seniors fall, they are prone to spinal cord injuries if they fall while on the property of another.
- Birth injuries. Injuries due to medical malpractice may cause spinal cord injuries around the neck.
- Childhood accidents. These include diving and trampoline accidents.
Other accidents that may cause spinal cord injuries include recreational and sporting accidents, nursing home abuse or neglect, acts of violence, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents.
How do Richland doctors diagnose a spinal cord injury?
According to Johns Hopkins, a spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. ER doctors will conduct a physical exam, an oral exam, and order several diagnostic tests. Surgery may be necessary to stabilize the spinal cord.
Possible diagnostic tests include:
- X-rays. This test makes images of bones, organs, and internal tissues.
- CTs (CT scans). This test uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce “slices” of the body- such as bones, muscles, organs, and fat. CTs have more detail than X-rays.
- MRIs. This test uses radio frequencies, computer technology, and large magnets to make images of parts of the anatomy.
Your doctor may also order blood tests.
What are the symptoms of an SCI?
The symptoms and severity of an SCI vary depending on the part of the body that is affected and the extent of the injury. Initially, accident victims in the Tri-Cities may lose feeling, muscle movement, and reflexes in the affected part of the body. The symptoms may ease as the swelling goes down.
SCIs in the neck area are generally the most severe. If the first and second vertebrae in the spinal column (C1 and C2), the mid-cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C5), or the neck are injured – the victim’s ability to breathe and his or her respiratory system may be affected. Lower back injuries may affect the use of the victim’s legs, bowel, bladder, and sexual function.
A few key terms are:
- Quadriplegia means the victims lose function in the arms and legs.
- Paraplegia means a loss of function in the legs and lower body.
- “A complete injury means that there is no movement or feeling below the level of the injury.”
- “An incomplete injury means that there is still some degree of feeling or movement below the level of the injury.”
Common SCI symptoms include:
- Weak muscles
- Loss of control of the chest, arm, or leg muscles
- Difficulty breathing
- A lack of sensation in the arms, chest, or legs
- A lack of bowel and/or bladder control
Victims may have other injuries such as head trauma that also need to be treated.
What are the complications of a Richland spinal cord injury?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of potential complications for SCI victims:
- Constipation, bowel impaction, and a risk of urinary tract infections
- Pressure sores
- Circulatory difficulties that can cause low blood pressure and swelling of the extremities
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory disorders including a risk of pneumonia
- Osteoporosis and fractured bones.
- Muscle spasms and/or muscle atrophy
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Decreased sexual function
- Joint, muscle, and nerve pain
SCI victims often require emotional help in addition to help for their physical injuries.
What treatment options are available for Richland spinal cord injury victims?
John Hopkins states that an acute SCI requires emergency medical care at the accident scene to immobilize your neck and head. The types of treatments vary depending on your age, medical history, current health, the type of SCI, your response to initial treatments, the severity of the SCI, and your personal treatment preferences.
A spinal cord injury cannot be repaired. There is much current research on ways to stimulate spinal cord regeneration.
The treatments generally include:
- Surgery to evaluate the severity of the injury, to “stabilize fractured backbones, release the pressure from the injured area,” and treat other injuries.
- Richland spinal cord injury victims may need to be observed in an intensive care unit (ICU).
- Patients may be given corticosteroids and other medications to reduce swelling.
- Some victims may need to be kept on a mechanical ventilator, a breathing apparatus.
SCI victims in Southeast Washington may also need a bladder catheter and a feeding tube.
Most spinal cord injury victims require long-term hospitalization and rehabilitation. The medical care, which is very expensive, includes treatments with some or all of the following:
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Pain management specialists
- Nutritionists
- Health providers who can monitor the victim’s heart function, temperature, blood pressure, bladder and bowel control, and involuntary muscle shaking (spasticity)
Patients may also need to consult with psychologists. Some patients may need medications to cope with their physical and emotional pain.
What is the value of my spinal cord injury lawsuit?
Spinal cord injury care usually requires continual care with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. We work with your doctors and our team to fully understand the severity of your injuries. We don’t start negotiations until the extent of your treatments, financial losses, and daily living difficulties are clear, and we’re ready for trial if that’s what’s best for you.
At Telaré Law, we demand compensation for your long-term medical care and your income losses from the date of the accident through the rest of your life. Our Richland personal injury lawyers also demand compensation for your physical pain and emotional suffering and loss of consortium damages. In addition, we seek payment because you have a permanent disability. If your loved one dies from his or her injuries, we can file a wrongful death claim/survival action on your behalf.
We document all your verifiable financial losses. We prepare you and your family so that we can teach a jury just how much your SCI affects your life. We work with physicians who are skilled at completing medical reports and testifying in court.
We are skilled trial lawyers. Due to our record of success in court, insurance companies do negotiate with us in good faith. Team Telaré is right here at home, and we’re ready to help.
Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?
Telaré Law advises SCI victims at our Richland office located at 1321 Columbia Park Trail, Suite B, Richland, WA. We also meet clients at our Kennewick office. Since many spinal cord injury victims cannot move, we often meet with SCI clients at their homes, hospitals, or a rehabilitation center.
Speak with an experienced Richland spinal cord injury lawyer today
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic injuries. Accident victims need to learn to live with their injuries for the rest of their life. Numerous complications may arise. You need a team that has the experience and reputation to hold responsible defendants liable for all your damages. Call the Richland spinal cord injury lawyers of Telaré Law at 509-737-8500 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We proudly fight for accident victims in and around Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and throughout Southeast Washington.