New York Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality

A spinal cord injury is characterized by a cut, bruise or some other type of damage to the spinal cord. Depending on the severity of the injury, victims who suffer spinal cord injuries may completely or partially lose the ability to move or feel sensations in a part of the body. There are many types of injuries to the spinal cord, many of which involve fractures in the vertebrae of the spinal cord. Another type of spinal cord injury is referred to as a spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA). Such an injury is a spinal cord injury that is typically located in the cervical region characterized by the absence of identifiable bony or ligamentous injury. In other words, there is no fracture or dislocation to the spinal cord. As with most types of spinal cord injuries, injuries without radiographic abnormality are typically caused by trauma to the spinal cord that resulted from an accident such as a car accident, pedestrian accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall accident, or a sport injury. If you or a loved one are suffering from a SCIWORA injury, it is critical that you contact an experienced New York Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality Lawyer as soon as possible. Through a personal injury claim, you have a right to be compensated for your injuries including compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.

Spinal cord injuries without radiographic abnormality are most often seen in children who are under the age of 16, with the most severe cases affecting children under the age of 8. However, there are cases of SCIWORA in adults. Many such injuries resulted from a crushing accident such as when a car ran over the victim while the victim was lying prone. Another common cause of such spinal cord injuries includes being struck on the back.

In cases of SCIWORA, the victim does not always suffer immediate paralysis or signs of a spinal cord injury. Common symptoms of a spinal injury without radiographic abnormality include:

• Paresthesia- abnormal prickly sensations
• Lhermitte's phenomenon- an electrical sensation that runs down the back and into the limbs
• Neurologic deficits
• Paralysis

In addition, many victims suffer a second SCIWORA up to several weeks after the initial SCIWORA, presumably because the spine was rendered unstable by the initial injury and thus, susceptible to a second spinal injury.

Whether you are suffering from a spinal injury or a family member such as a child is suffering from a spinal injury, the effect on the entire family is emotionally devastating. In addition, such an injury can have catastrophic effects on your financial well-being. Treatment of a spinal injury is costly. If the result is a permanent reduction in movement or sensation, you may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, counseling, and assistive technology. In addition, you may need to modify your home to make it accessible. All of these necessities area costly and will contribute to your financial distress.

A personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident will not only hold that person accountable for his or her negligence, but will provide you with needed financial relief. Through a personal injury action you can seek compensation to cover the past and future medical expenses related to you injury. You can also seek compensation for your lost earnings and loss of future earning capacity. Furthermore, the physical and psychological pain and suffering you endured from your injury are compensable losses as well.

If the injury that resulted in your spinal cord injury was work-related, then you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. New York's workers' compensation laws state that injured parties are entitled to compensation if they sustain a work-related injury. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in a 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 spinal injuries. The staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC is experienced in handling personal injury cases where victims have suffered a spinal cord injury, back injury, brain injury, broken bones and other serious injuries. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.