A Visit To Las Vegas Should Not Include A Spinal Cord Injury

Perhaps you and your spouse had just arrived in Las Vegas and were looking forward to a long weekend getaway.

Unfortunately, the car in front of you stopped abruptly, and the car behind you was going too fast to stop. Your car became sandwiched between the two in the resulting collision. Now, you face an uncertain future with a spinal cord injury.

Understanding SCI

The spinal cord passes impulses from your brain to other parts of your body. A spinal cord injury, or SCI, is usually the result of a traumatic blow to the spine that either dislocates or fractures vertebrae. The spinal cord is very sensitive to injury and, unfortunately, cannot repair itself if damaged.

Looking at symptoms

There are two types of SCI: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury means that you lose all feeling below the site of the injury, and there may also be involuntary movement. With an incomplete SCI, some function is still possible below the injury site. Some symptoms are obvious, such as loss of mobility or the inability to feel heat or touch. Others, such as difficulty breathing, digestive problems or lack of bladder control, could also indicate other medical issues. Imaging tests will confirm the diagnosis. At this time, doctors cannot reverse spinal cord damage. However, treatment that includes rehabilitation, prosthetic devices and medication can help patients return to a lifestyle that is as active as possible.

Finding fault

A thorough investigation will help establish the cause of the crash and who was responsible for your injuries. Keep in mind that Nevada law includes the modified comparative fault doctrine. This means that even if you carry some blame for the collision, you will still qualify for compensation, although the settlement may receive a reduction by the percentage of fault the court assigns to you. A fair settlement will help you focus on the treatment your doctors have prescribed for an injury that you never anticipated when you and your spouse made plans for a Las Vegas getaway.