Sebastian County, AR Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are a traumatic life event that often leads to a person facing a drastically reduced quality of life. In addition to these accidents being traumatic, they often affect people in the prime of their life. Sixty-one percent of all spinal cord injuries occur in people who are under the age of 34. While a spinal cord injury will affect your life at any age, when it occurs to people who are in the workforce, they often have to worry about how they are going to provide for themselves and for their family for the rest of their lives.

When you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been wrongfully killed, you likely have many questions. You may wonder how something like this could happen? You may also wonder if there is anything you can do to cover the immense medical costs and damages you have suffered.

Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law is dedicated to fighting for hardworking Arkansans injured due to another’s negligence. For more than 20 years, Ken Kieklak has fought strategically and aggressively on behalf of injured people, like you. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call (479) 316-0438 today or contact us online.

Traumatic Spinal Injuries Causes

Spinal injuries are a common occurrence in Sebastian County. In 2015, there were 2,502 with 194 new spinal cord injury cases reported to the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission in the 75-County Service Area. Out of all the reasons for a spinal cord injury the following were noted as being the most frequent causes of spinal cord injuries.

• Falls – These accidents accounted for 30 percent of spinal cord injuries across the state. A fall can happen from any height and result in a spinal cord injury. However, when individuals are on a ladder or another elevated surface they face a much higher risk of injury in the event that they fall.

• Motor vehicle crashes – Accounted for 37 percent of all spinal cord injuries across the nation and is the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in Arkansas.

• Intentional acts of violence – Accounted for 10 percent of all spinal cord injuries in the state. Intentional acts of violence were a frequent cause of spinal cord injuries mostly due to gun violence.

• Hit by objects and explosions – Falling objects and explosions were another documented cause of spinal cord injuries. Those who work in construction sites and other heavy industries were often the victims of spinal cord injuries because of falling objects and explosions.

• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle accidents are so prevalent as a source of spinal cord injuries, that they garnered their own special category. Because a motorcycle driver is exposed on all sides, they often suffer spinal cord injuries as a result of an accident.

In addition, there are many other reasons and events that can lead to a spinal cord injury.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spine is composed of thirty-three individual bones, which provide the body with structure and support, in addition, these bones, which sit on top of each other house the spinal cord that is responsible for sending messages from the brain to the rest of the body.  The spine is divided into four distinct regions:

• The Cervical Region – The cervical region of the spine is the topmost portion of the spinal cord, this area of the spine is where the brain connects to the spinal cord, and the neck connects to the back. The cervical spine is composed of seven bones.

• The thoracic spinal cord – This is the middle of the spinal cord and contains twelve vertebrae

• The Lumbar spinal cord – The lumbar spinal bones are responsible for bearing the weight of the entire body. Because these bones are responsible for bearing the weight of the body, they tend to be much larger than the other bones of the spinal cord.

• Sacrum – the main function of the sacrum vertebrae is to connect the spine to the hipbones.

All spinal cord injuries are divided into two broad categories either an incomplete or complete spinal cord injury.  Generally, the higher on the spine the injury occurs the more impact the injury will have on the rest of the body.

An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is only partially severed. In these injuries, the person is able to retain at least some function. However, the degree and severity depend on the extent of the injury.  Incomplete spinal cord injuries are more common than complete spinal cord injuries, which will be discussed below. Fortunately, victims of an incomplete spinal cord injury have a much better chance of recovery, however, that does not mean that recovery will be easy.

In a complete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is completely severed. In the event that the spinal cord is completely severed a person will lose all function below the point of injury. However, with intensive therapy a person who has suffered a complete spinal cord injury may be able to regain some function.

While it is more common for an incomplete spinal cord injury to occur, and they account for nearly 60 percent of all documented spinal cord injury cases, complete spinal cord injuries are still relatively common.

Rely on Sebastian County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Ken Kieklak

Ken Kieklak is dedicated to fighting for people who have been seriously injured by the carelessness or negligence of another. To schedule a free and confidential initial consultation, call (479) 316-0438 today or contact us online.