Spine Injury Lawyers in WA

Kennewick Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Strong representation for WA victims of spinal cord damage and paralysis

Spinal cord accident victims have cause to be angry, frustrated, and worried. Their lives are turned upside-down after an act of negligence causes catastrophic damage to their nerves, vertebrae, and discs of the spine. Many may never walk again or hold their children or spouses. They may be wracked with questions: how can I pay my bills? How much medical care will I need? Will my life ever be normal again?

At Telaré Law, we understand. Our seasoned spinal cord injury lawyers have earned the respect of clients, insurance lawyers, and the legal community – not just in Kennewick, but across the Tri-Cities and all of Southeast Washington – for our advocacy on behalf of the injured. We are skilled at showing how your accident happened and who should be held liable. We understand what kind of medical care you will need and how an act of negligence has changed your life forever. Call today to get Team Telaré on your side.

What is a spinal cord injury?

The US National Institutes for Health (NIH) defines spinal cord injury (SCI) as:

damage to the tight bundle of cells and nerves that sends and receives signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. SCI can be caused by direct injury to the spinal cord itself or from damage to the tissue and bones (vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord. This damage can result in temporary or permanent changes in sensation, movement, strength, and body functions below the site of injury.

If there’s little or no cell death, a nearly complete recovery may be possible. Injuries higher up on the spinal cord are more likely to cause paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries are categorized as:

  • Incomplete. Here, the spinal cord can send some messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body.
  • Complete. With this type of SCI, there’s no nerve communication and no motor function below the area where the trauma happened.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two types of paralysis that may occur due to an SCI:

  • Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia). The arms, legs, hands, feet, trunk, and pelvic organs are affected.
  • Paraplegia. The trunk, pelvic organ, and legs are affected.

What kinds of accidents lead to spinal cord injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are usually due to extreme forces or twisting of the neck, back, or spine. Common causes include:

  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Uber and Lyft accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Nursing home neglect
  • Recreational accidents

Intentional acts of violence may also cause a spinal cord injury.

How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?

The ER doctors will test for any loss of sensory function in addition to asking numerous questions. Diagnostic tests include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. After the swelling has subsided, a neurological examination will be conducted.

What are the symptoms of an SCI?

The NIH states that a spinal cord injury may cause some of the following symptoms:

  • Loss of sensation in the hands and feet, tingling, and numbness
  • Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Loss of bowel and bladder function
  • Changes in sexual function

Per NIH, paralysis may be immediate or may develop as the spinal cord is damaged by bleeding and swelling.

What complications are associated with SCI?

While damage to the spinal cord is traumatic in and of itself, SCI victims face a number of potential complications. They can include:

  • Lack of bladder control, which increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
  • Bowel impaction and constipation, even if your intestines and stomach function well.
  • Increased likelihood of pressure sores, because the skin can’t notify the brain it’s injured – and paralysis victims may not be able to physically move their bodies to avoid the pressure.
  • Circulatory problems, which may cause low blood pressure and the swelling of your extremities. The risk of blood clots increases. Life-threatening high blood pressure may also develop.
  • Respiratory disorders may develop. It may be hard to breathe and cough. Victims who have a cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury may be at risk for pneumonia and lung disorders.
  • An increased risk of osteoporosis and broken bones.
  • Muscle spasms and/or muscle atrophy.

Other complications include a lack of fitness because of a lack of mobility, heart disease, and diabetes. Nerve pain, muscle pain, and joint pain are likely, and some victims have decreased sexual function.

Many spinal cord injury victims suffer from anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems.

What are the treatments for Kennewick spinal cord injury?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the initial treatment is done at the accident site. Emergency personnel usually immobilize the spine as quickly as possible. Early interventions also include shock prevention and ensuring the victim can breathe. This can reduce the risk of complications at the scene or during later treatments.

Surgery is often necessary to remove bone fragments and treat any disks or vertebrae that may be compressing the spine. Surgery may be used to stabilize the spine, too.

Most of the recovery process occurs in the first six months to two years. After the initial medical treatments, SCI victims will need to create a rehabilitation plan. Rehabilitation includes working with:

  • Physical therapists who help with mobility, fine motor skills, and strength
  • Occupational therapists who help with daily living tasks and assistive devices, including wheelchairs, voice recognition software, and electronic stimulation

The truth is, for many survivors, the recovery process mostly consists of learning to live with and manage the disability. There are new techniques such as spinal cord stimulators that are implanted in the body that are helping patients. Rehabilitative care mostly consists of extended visits with different types of therapists and healthcare providers.

But there are some silver linings. Every day, science makes extraordinary advances that could change the way paralysis and SCI victims live. Telaré Law works to ensure that when the times comes, you will be able to take advantage of these new and improved technologies.

How much is my spinal cord injury lawsuit worth?

Spinal cord injury care is expensive – very expensive. But we cannot say how much a claim is worth until we see the true extent of your injuries, financial burdens, medical treatment plans, and losses.

At Telaré Law, we work to properly value the cost of all the medical care you’ll need for the rest of your life. We work with your employers to determine how much income you lost and how much you are reasonably likely to lose because of your disability. We demand compensation for your daily physical pain and emotional suffering, as well as any medical expenses you have incurred from your injury.

Our lawyers are always ready to try your case before a jury. This willingness to try cases means we are often in a better place to negotiate a settlement, when that is what is best for you. Our years of experience handling the types of cases that other firms cannot, coupled with our resources and vast professional network, makes us formidable opponents. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury like an SCI, you don’t have to travel to get the kind of help you need: 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 meets with SCI victims at our Kennewick office located at 819 South Auburn St. We also meet clients in Richland. Since many spinal cord injury victims have mobility difficulties, we meet with SCI clients at their homes, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers.

Attorney Andrea Telquist

Contact a seasoned Kennewick spinal cord injury lawyer today

Spinal cord injuries often last a lifetime. They are among the most serious injuries there are. You deserve a team who is serious about your recovery. Call the Kennewick spinal cord injury lawyers of Telaré Law at 509-737-8500 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve clients in and around Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and across Southeast Washington.