Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury and Complete Spinal Cord Injury
What is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
An incomplete spinal cord injury refers to a situation where the spinal cord is damaged but is not completely severed. This means that some nerve signals can still pass through the injured area, allowing for varying degrees of sensation and motor function below the level of the spinal injury.
What is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is fully severed, resulting in a complete loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury. In many cases, this leads to permanent outcomes such as full paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on where the injury occurred.
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Key Differences Between Incomplete and Complete Spinal Cord Injury
As for what are the key differences between incomplete and complete spinal cord injury, these include the areas of:
Incomplete SCI: In persons with an incomplete SCI, there is still some communication between the brain and the affected areas of the body below the level of injury. This means that there may be partial motor function or sensation in those areas.
Complete SCI: By contrast, people with a complete SCI have a total loss of communication between the brain and the areas of the body below the injury site. There is no sensation or voluntary motor function in these areas.
Incomplete SCI: The range of symptoms in incomplete SCI can vary widely, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Some individuals may have significant impairments, while others may retain near-normal function in certain areas.
Complete SCI: Complete SCI typically results in a consistent and severe loss of function below the injury level. The extent of paralysis and sensory loss is predictable based on the level of injury.
Incomplete SCI: In many cases of incomplete SCI, there is a potential for some degree of recovery. With intense rehabilitation and proper pain management, individuals with incomplete SCI may regain some function over certain body parts over a period of time.
Complete SCI: While there have been cases of persons with complete SCI making remarkable recoveries, the potential for significant functional improvement is generally far lower than in incomplete SCI. However, advancements in medical treatments and therapies do offer hope for some level of improvement.
Incomplete SCI: In legal cases involving incomplete SCI, the extent of the injury and the potential for recovery are crucial factors in determining compensation and damages. Ongoing medical assessments are often required to evaluate the progress of the injury in order to calculate damages owed to the injured person for costs of their incomplete SCI.
Complete SCI: Cases involving complete SCI often result in more substantial and long-term damages, as the loss of function is usually permanent. The focus of a legal action may be on providing compensation for lifelong care and support, which means calculating life expectancy and paying for costs throughout that time.
Causes of Incomplete and Complete Spinal Cord Injury
Both incomplete and complete SCI can result from a variety of causes, but accidents are a common trigger, often due to the negligence of second or third parties. A second party is the person who directly caused an accident. A third party is a person or entity, such as an employer or equipment manufacturer, who was indirectly responsible for the injury, but still at least partly responsible.
In any of these cases, accidents can lead to severe spinal cord injuries of varying severity, including both incomplete and complete SCI.
Common causes of incomplete or complete SCI include:
Motor vehicle accidents & rollover accidents
Falls or Hit by Falling Objects
Sports and recreational injuries
Industrial and workplace accidents
Medical procedures
Gunshot wounds
Emotional Impacts and Physical Effects of
Incomplete and Complete Spinal Cord Injury
Emotional and Psychological Impacts
Both incomplete and complete SCI can have substantial emotional and psychological impacts on affected persons. Coping with the loss of mobility and independence and the enormous lie changes as a result can bring on feelings of depression, anger, grief, and anxiety.
Physical Effects
- Incomplete SCI: Individuals with incomplete SCI may experience a wide range of physical effects, from partial paralysis to limited sensation. These effects can vary greatly depending on the specific injury.
- Complete SCI: Complete SCI results in a more consistent and severe loss of physical function. Persons may require assistive devices such as wheelchairs and may have limited independence in daily activities.
Legal Rights and Options for
Spinal Cord Injury Victims
Understanding your legal rights and legal options is critical if you or a loved one close to you has been diagnosed with an incomplete or complete SCI due to an accident caused by another party’s negligence. These rights include:
- Medical bills: Coverage for past and future medical expenses related to your injury.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income or salary lost due to the injury, including future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages paid for the physical pain and emotional distress and anguish caused by the injury in past and future.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Coverage for extensive rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapy, and home modifications.
- Assistive devices: Compensation for mobility aids, specialized wheelchairs, handicapped vans and other necessary equipment for a spinal cord injury victim.
- Spousal rights for compensation – loss of consortium, loss wages, and other damages.
- Gross negligence/punitive damages against the grossly negligent defendant(s).
Legal Recourse for Spinal Cord Injuries
You have the right to take legal action against those who were responsible for the accident that caused your spinal cord injury and by taking such action you can seek justice and accountability for your injuries. Your legal recourse may involve:
- Personal injury claims: Filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to seek compensation for damages for your spinal cord injury.
- Product liability lawsuits: Pursue a product liability lawsuit if a defective product contributed to your injury. (Such action can target those who designed, manufactured, distributed, or sold the defective product.)
- Medical malpractice lawsuits: Taking legal action against negligent healthcare providers if your injury resulted from their medical errors.
- Workers' compensation claims: If the accident occurred in the workplace, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, also known as workers’ comp.
We Can Help You and Your Family
At Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer, we focus especially on representing persons who have suffered incomplete or complete SCI due to accidents. Our experienced legal team understands the intricacies of these cases and is dedicated to fighting for accident victims’ rights. We have a proven track record of securing substantial compensation for our clients, providing them with the resources they need for their recovery, their future well-being and their sense of justice.
Case Studies and Success Stories for Some of Our Former SCI & TBI Clients
Please feel free to explore our case studies to see how we have helped people with incomplete or complete SCI to achieve justice and financial recovery. We are committed to advocating for our clients’ rights and ensuring that they receive the compensation they deserve.
Joseph S.
David W.
Ofelia P.
Arthur R.
Marcus G.
Contact Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for Help With your Case
If you or a loved one in your family has been diagnosed with incomplete or complete SCI as a result of an accident caused by another party’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation and review of your case. Our compassionate legal team is here to guide you through the legal process, ensuring that your rights are protected and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries are life-altering conditions that often result from accidents due to negligence. Understanding the differences between these conditions is essential in seeking the right legal recourse and support.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers are here to be your advocate and partner on this journey toward recovery and accountability. You are not alone in this fight, and we are dedicated to helping you rebuild your life.
Contact us today to begin your path toward financial recovery and justice, whether your injury has resulted in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or significant pain and long-term disability.
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