One of the most catastrophic injuries a person can suffer in an accident in Texas is a spinal cord injury (SCI). Damage to the spinal cord can permanently alter mobility, sensation, and overall quality of life. If an accident caused by negligence results in a spinal injury, consulting an experienced Austin personal injury attorney early can be critical to protecting your legal and financial future.
Understanding the difference between a complete vs. incomplete spinal cord injury is especially important, as this distinction plays a major role in a victim’s prognosis, treatment options, long-term care needs, and potential compensation.
About Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury describes harm or damage to any part of the spine. The spinal cord is a column of small bones called vertebrae, separated by cushion-like disks. The spinal column is surrounded by a bundle of nerve fibers that help form the central nervous system.
The nerves of the spinal cord connect nearly all parts of the body to the brain, making it responsible for feeling and movement throughout the body. Injury to the spinal cord can disrupt this communication system, causing issues with motor function and sensation from the point of injury downward.
What Is a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?
When a physician diagnoses a spinal cord injury, he or she will assess whether it is a complete or incomplete SCI. This indicates the amount of damage caused to the spinal cord and how the injury will most likely affect the victim’s motor and sensory function.
A complete SCI means the victim’s spinal cord has suffered full or total damage, resulting in the complete loss of nerve communication below the point of injury. This creates an irreversible condition known as paralysis.
There are different types of paralysis based on the area(s) of the body affected. Common types include paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down) and quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down). A paralyzing spinal cord injury could be caused by a serious car accident, fall, workplace incident or act of violence.
Symptoms of a Complete Spinal Cord Injury
A complete spinal cord injury can cause immediately noticeable symptoms. While the experience is unique for each patient, common signs of a complete SCI include:
- Acute or intense pain or pressure in the back or neck
- Loss of feeling below the point of injury
- Loss of sensation or ability to feel (numbness) below the point of injury
- Uncontrolled muscle movements or spasms
- Respiratory and breathing difficulties
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sexual dysfunction
- Blood pressure changes
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Twisted or irregular-looking neck or spinal position
It is extremely important to get medical care right away if you notice any of these symptoms after an accident. Paramedics can stabilize a victim’s neck and spine to help prevent further damage.
What Is an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are more common than complete SCIs. This type of injury only partially compromises the spinal cord’s function. An incomplete SCI comes with partial preservation of the individual’s sensory and motor function below the level of injury on the spinal cord. Therefore, it does not result in total paralysis below the point of injury.
Instead, the victim may experience altered function and/or sensations, which may or may not be irreversible. In general, incomplete spinal cord injuries come with a greater potential for neurological recovery than complete SCIs. Treatments such as rehabilitation have a better chance of making a meaningful improvement in the individual’s abilities. However, long-term disability is still a possibility.
Symptoms of an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can arise due to blunt-force trauma, partial severance of the spine or spinal cord compression in an accident. A victim may have an incomplete spinal cord injury if he or she notices any of the following symptoms:
- Partial loss of movement or feeling
- Impaired movement or balance
- Muscle weakness in the arms or legs
- Involuntary muscle spasms or contractions
- Altered sensations, such as a difference in the feeling of touch, heat or cold
- A tingling or “pins-and-needles” sensation anywhere in the body
- Trouble walking or standing without assistance
- Impaired bowel or bladder function
- Trouble breathing
Feeling weakness, muscle changes, or a loss of feeling or control anywhere in the body after an accident demands emergency medical attention for a potential spinal cord injury. Delaying care could exacerbate an incomplete SCI and result in a more severe or complete spinal cord injury.
Complete Vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
| Category | Complete Spinal Cord Injury | Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Extent of Damage | Total damage to the spinal cord at the injury level | Partial damage to the spinal cord |
| Motor Function Below Injury | No voluntary movement below the injury site | Some degree of movement may remain |
| Sensory Function Below Injury | Complete loss of sensation | Partial sensation may be preserved |
| Paralysis | Permanent paralysis is typical | Paralysis may be partial or absent |
| Potential for Recovery | Very limited; condition is usually permanent | Greater potential for neurological recovery |
| Common Outcomes | Paraplegia or quadriplegia | Weakness, impaired coordination, altered sensation |
| Response to Rehabilitation | Focuses on adaptation and independence | May restore some lost function |
| Long-Term Disability Risk | Extremely high | Moderate to high, depending on severity |
| Impact on Daily Life | Requires lifelong care and accommodations | May regain independence with treatment |
| Typical Causes | Severe car accidents, high falls, violent trauma | Blunt-force trauma, compression, partial severance |
Treatment Options for a Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Complete spinal cord injuries are typically irreversible, with no known cure. However, it may be possible for an individual to recover some function and feeling in the affected area over time with the right medical treatments. The prognosis for an incomplete spinal cord injury tends to be more positive than for a complete SCI.
Potential treatment options for spinal injuries include:
- Spinal immobilization and stabilization to prevent further damage
- Surgical intervention, such as spinal fusion or decompression
- Physical and occupational therapies
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and assistive technology
When an individual has a complete spinal cord injury with permanent paralysis, treatments are typically geared toward maximizing independence, improving quality of life, preventing further complications and managing a lifelong disability. Treatments for an incomplete SCI, on the other hand, may be more focused on healing and recovering lost function and feeling.
Seeking Fair Financial Compensation for Your Spinal Cord Injury in Texas
A spinal cord injury can have numerous effects and implications on your daily life and future. The expenses related to a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury can be significant and overwhelming. If someone else is responsible for inflicting the injury, this person or party can be held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for the victim’s losses.
Seeking a fair financial recovery for a spine injury takes understanding the future effects of the injury on the victim’s life and ability to earn a living. One tool often used is a Life Care Plan, which is a breakdown of the foreseeable medical expenses associated with a spinal injury. A Certified Life Care Planner can be hired to create this document and testify as an expert witness to help prove losses during a personal injury claim.
The most effective way to seek maximum financial compensation for a serious spinal cord injury is by hiring an attorney with experience in this practice area. An Austin spinal cord injury lawyer can take over settlement negotiations with an insurance company to argue for a fair amount based on your diagnosis, prognosis and a realistic estimate of how much your injury will cost.
For a cost-free evaluation of your spinal cord injury case, where you can get tailored answers to your legal questions at no pressure to hire us, contact FVF Law Firm. Our spinal cord injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience.
