Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A severe spinal cord injury has immediate and painful effects on a victim, and even a mild spinal cord injury can cause permanent debilitating symptoms. Immediately following a spinal cord injury, a victim may experience symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to severe pain or complete loss of sensation and motion. Over time, the injury can also affect other systems in the body such as the heart, circulatory system, digestive system, bladder and muscles.

But in addition to the intense physical effects, a victim can endure severe psychological effects, on top of other economic and noneconomic losses.

Our team at Walker, Hamilton & Kearns, LLP is committed to helping victims of spinal cord injuries and their loved ones restore their lives.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The higher on the spine an injury occurs, the more spinal nerves may be damaged, affecting more organs and body systems. An injury in the neck (upper cervical region of the spine) may result in quadriplegia and complete loss of sensation below the injury location.

A spinal injury in the lower back (lumbar region) may cause a loss of sensation and motion in the lower body and legs. Paralysis or paraplegia may be the result. Paraplegia and quadriplegia sufferers may experience problems with bladder and bowel control, and additional organ dysfunction. If confined to a wheelchair or bed, these patients are also at risk for pressure sores and infection.

Disk injuries (herniation, compression, ruptures) and fractured vertebrae can cause severe chronic pain, as well as muscle weakness and reduced mobility. A pinched spinal nerve can also result in chronic debilitating pain.

Vehicle accidents cause approximately 40 percent of all spinal cord injuries, and slip-and-fall accidents and falls from elevated heights account for another 20 percent. Knife and gunshot wounds, and surgical errors and other types of medical malpractice can also cause spinal injuries. A pinched spinal nerve can also result in chronic debilitating pain.

Bay Area Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

At Walker, Hamilton & Kearns, LLP, our attorneys take the time necessary to understand the seriousness and severity of these injuries, so that we can help our clients obtain the necessary medical care and compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

To better understand our clients’ medical needs, we routinely work with medical specialists at these and other rehabilitation hospitals in the Bay Area:

• • California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center
  • Fairmont Hospital
  • Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center
  • Kindred Hospital
  • Marin General Hospital
  • Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Stanford University Medical Center
  • UCSF Medical Center

Our results-oriented approach has helped many accident victims, and we have a record of success in cases involving spinal cord injuries. In every case, we seek full compensation for all losses, including medical costs, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. When we represent you, we will be your strongest advocate, working hard to obtain the best possible result for you.

To schedule a free consultation, please call us at (415) 986-3339 today.