New York Brown-Sequard Syndrome

A spinal cord injury involving a cut, bruise or lesion on the spinal cord is one of the most serious injuries that you can suffer in an accident. A spinal cord injury could at a minimum reduce your ability to move or feel sensations. In the most severe cases spinal cord injuries leave victims permanently paralyzed. There are many different types of spinal cord injuries including Brown-Sequard syndrome. Brown-Sequard syndrome involves an injury to one side of the spinal cord. It is characterized by loss of motor function, loss of sense and fine touch, loss of position sense, signs of weakness on the side of the body that corresponds with the side of the spine where the injury occurred. Other types of spinal cord injuries include paraplegia, quadriplegia, anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, tetraplegia, and herniated disks. Like many other types of spinal cord injuries, Brown-Sequard syndrome is an injury that is often suffered as a result of negligence. Like other types of spinal cord injuries as well as a brain injury or neck injury, Brown-Sequard syndrome can occur in a variety of types of accidents such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, construction accident, boat accident and slip and fall accident. It can also be caused by an intentional act of violence such as a gunshot wound or by medical malpractice. If you sustained a Brown-Sequard syndrome injury due to the negligence or intentional act of another person, contact an experienced New York Brown-Sequard Syndrome Lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain to you the process for filing a personal injury lawsuit in order to demand compensation from those responsible for your injuries.

While Brown-Sequard syndrome can be caused by a tumor on the spine of diseases such as tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis, it is also commonly caused by spinal cord trauma that occurs in accidents. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of spinal cord injuries each year are due to auto accidents and motorcycle accidents. In a car accident, vertebrae in a victim’s spine can become fractured, dislocated, crushed or compressed. Depending on what part of the spine is damaged, the victim may end up with Brown-Sequard syndrome.

Other causes of Brown-Sequard are construction accidents and slip and fall or trip and fall accidents. In addition, acts of violence such as a gunshot wound, stab wound, or severe blow to the neck or back can leave the victim with Brown-Sequard syndrome or some other type of paralysis.

If you are now suffering from Brown-Sequard syndrome follow an accidental or intentional act of another person, under New York law you have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Victims who suffer from spinal cord injuries including Brown-Sequard, typically have significant medical bills. Such bills include not only emergency room and hospital bills related to treatment immediately after the accident. The bills also include what is often long-term physical therapy that is required to help the victim be able to regain muscle strength and the ability to perform activities of daily living. In addition, because spinal cord injury victims often have to miss a great deal of work or unable to return to work at all, victims have the right to sue for lost wages and loss of earning capacity.

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 then there are special procedures you must follow to file a claim.

If your spinal cord injury was the result of a work-related accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more. However, it is important to know that worker’s compensation benefits are limited. Just because the accident occurred at work does not necessarily mean that you are limited to the benefit available through workers’ compensation.

If you were injured in an accident that resulted in a Brown-Sequard syndrome injury 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.