New York Anterior Cord Syndrome

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord such as a bruise, lesion, or cut that either temporarily or permanently causes changes in its function. Depending on the severity of the damage, there can be a loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or loss of autonomic function in parts of the body. While paraplegia, quadriplegia, and tetraplegia are types of spinal cord injuries that are familiar to most people, there are many other types of spinal cord injuries including anterior cord syndrome. Anterior spinal cord syndrome occurs when blood flow is interrupted in the artery that runs along the front anterior portion of the spinal cord. One common reason for this type of interruption in blood flow is a traumatic injury to the vertebrae. Causes for such a trauma to the spinal cord includes vehicle accidents such a car accident, truck accident or a motorcycle accident. Other common injuries in such accidents injury a brain injury, head injury and neck injury. In addition, such trauma can be caused by construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, and sports injuries. Acts of violence such as gunshots also can lead to trauma to the spinal cord resulting in anterior cord syndrome or another serious spinal injury such as central cord syndrome, posterior cord syndrome, or Brown-Sequard syndrome. Victims of such injuries not only face health problems, but also face financial challenges due to substantial medical bills. If you sustained a spinal cord injury that lead to anterior cord syndrome due to the negligence of another person, contact an experienced New York Anterior Cord Syndrome Lawyer who will review your case and help you file a personal injury claim in order to receive damages that will compensate you for your medical expenses and other losses you suffered as a result of the accident.

One of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries including those that result in anterior cord syndrome is a vehicle accident. For example, in Granada v. Jackson, 2011 NY Slip Op 30491 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., 2011), Teresa Granada and Veronica Solana were in auto accident with Ada Jackson. Granada and Solana were both seriously injured. Granada suffered serious injuries to her spinal cord including a disc bulge at C5-6 level compressing the anterior cord. As a result of the accident, Granada alleges that she sustained a serious injury in that she sustained a permanent consequential limitation, a significant disfigurement, a permanent loss of use, and a significant limitation of use of a body function.

The primary symptom of anterior spinal cord syndrome is generally paralysis below the level of the injury coupled with hypersensitivity and hypoalgesia which is decreased sensitivity to pain.

An anterior cord syndrome injury carries a poor prognosis for functional improvement. According to the National Institutes of Health, typically there is an only 10-20% chance of muscle recovery. Spinal injuries can be not only physically challenging, but can also cause financial distress. Not only do you have to deal with the initial medical expense of surgery, you may also face an unending stream of expenses to deal with the after effects of a severe spinal cord injury. If your spinal injury is the result of another person’s negligence, then under New York law you have the right to file a claim against the negligent party and demand compensation for your losses. There are many factors that will determine the amount of compensation to which you are entitled and the type of compensation. These factors include:

• The type of injuries you suffered
• The cost of medical care including emergency room treatment, hospital fees, surgical fees, doctor’s bills, prescriptions, special medical equipment, and rehabilitation costs.
• Loss of wages and loss of future income caused by a long term or permanent disability.
• Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

It is important to understand that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim in a spinal cord injury case. This time limit is referred to as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit. In addition, if the party responsible for your injury was a government entity such as New York State or Nassau County, then there are special procedures you must follow to file a claim.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in an anterior cord syndrome or another serious spinal cord injury, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with injuries to the spine. Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.