The spinal cord is the thin, tubular bundle of nerves that runs along the length of the spine. The vertebrae provides a hard, protective casing for the spinal cord, which transmits neural signals from the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal cord and the brain comprise the central nervous system, which is the body system that controls all movement and sensation.

When the spinal cord suffers an injury, the patient can suffer a variety of complications. These can include paralysis, paresis, a loss of muscle function, and incontinence. In some cases, these disabilities are permanent. When an individual suffers from a spinal cord injury because of a healthcare provider’s negligence, he or she may be entitled to recover compensation for all damages associated with the injury and its complications, such as the need for treatment, his or her lost wages, and the emotional trauma of suffering an injury due to malpractice.

Ways the Spinal Cord Can be Injured

The spinal cord can be injured in nearly any type of accident. With regard to medical malpractice, a patient can suffer a spinal cord injury due to any of the following types of negligence:

• Surgery on the wrong area of the spine;
• Rod and screw placement mistakes during surgery;
• Birth injuries;
• Misdiagnoses of conditions such as scoliosis and kyposis;
• Mistakes during vertebrae fusion surgery; and
• Injuries to the intervertebral discs during surgery.

Complications of a Spinal Cord Injury

Depending on the site of the injury, a patient can suffer any of the following complications:

• Paralysis of the face;
• Loss of sensation in the body;
• Paraplegia, the paralysis of the lower extremities;
• Quadriplegia, the paralysis of the arms and legs; and
• Death.

Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury

Some spinal cord injuries can be treated with corrective surgery and rehabilitation. Rehabilitative measures may include physical therapy or hydrotherapy, which allows the patient to recover the use of specific body parts or areas without putting pressure on his or her joints.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or a loved one have suffered from a spinal cord injury as the result of a physician’s negligence, consider filing a medical malpractice claim to seek financial compensation for the damages. To learn more about medical malpractice claims and what you can expect from the process based on your specific circumstances, set up your free consultation with Baizer Kolar, P.C. We are a team of friendly, driven medical malpractice lawyers who can answer your questions and represent your claim.