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Spine Injury Lawyers

Spine Injury Lawyers

The spine is how our brain communicates with the rest of our bodies.  That’s why when the spine is injured in a car, truck, or other accident, the results can be tragic.  Spine injuries can be extremely painful and cause long-lasting and sometimes permanent disabilities.  From herniated and slipped discs to paralysis, spine injuries are some of the worst injuries a person can suffer. And, when those injuries are suffered as a result of an accident, hiring a knowledgeable and experienced spine injury lawyer is the best first step a person can take to receiving the compensation they need and deserve. 

Unfortunately, when a person suffers a spine injury, the accident and injury are just the beginning of a long nightmare.  Prolonged medical appointments with doctors and specialists are eventually replaced with months’ long rehabilitation assignments.   Medical bills begin to pile up, and dealing with the insurance company is difficult at best.  A person suffering from a spine injury will often be unable to work, and the loss of income only adds to the anxiety. 

The truth is that the long road to recovery from a spine injury often involves a great deal more than what initially meets the eye.  An experienced and knowledgeable spine injury lawyer can not only make sure a spine injury victim receives the compensation he or she deserves, the right spine injury lawyer can alleviate the stress of dealing with everything else.  That means the injured person can focus on what’s more important—getting better. 

If you’ve suffered a spine injury in West Virginia, Ohio, or Pennsylvania, the spine injury lawyers at Gold, Khourey & Turak are available to help you 24/7.  Our spine injury lawyers have the knowledge, skill, and experience fight for the compensation you deserve.  Consultations are always fee, and we don’t collect a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.  Contact GKT’s spine injury lawyers today by calling (304) 845-9750, by Live Chat 24/7 at GKT.com, or online.

About Gold Khourey & Turak Spine Injury Lawyers

Gold, Khourey & Turak’s personal injury attorneys are some of the leading spine injury attorneys in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  Our spine injury lawyers are dedicated to maximizing our clients’ financial recovery.  The results speak for themselves.  GKT’s track record of success representing spine injury victims is due in no small part to the individual attention given to each client and each client’s case. 

That’s why if you’ve been in an accident and suffered a spine injury, you can count on GKT’s spine injury attorneys to be there by your side and fight for you every step of the way.   

Contact a GKT spine injury attorney today to schedule a free consultation! 

Anatomy of the Spine

The spine is necessary for almost everything we do.  Without it, our brain cannot deliver messages to the rest of our body.  The spine consists of the following structures:

Spinal Cord

A long, thin tubular structure made up of nerve tissue that starts at the brain stem and ends at the lumbar section of the spinal column. The spinal cord transmits messages from the brain to other parts of the body.

Vertebrae

The vertebrae are bones that surround and protect the spinal column.  The human body has 33 vertebrae. 

Spinal Discs

The spinal discs are rubber-like discs located between the vertebrae.  They allow the spine to move and act as shock absorbers. 

In addition, the spine is broken up into 5 different sections:

Cervical Spine

The cervical spine is the uppermost part of the spine from the brain stem and into the neck.  The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae.

Thoracic Spine

The thoracic spine starts immediately below the cervical spine.  The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae.

Lumbar Spine

Immediately below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae.

Sacrum

The sacrum begins immediately below the lumbar spine.  It is a large triangular bones at the base of the spine.  The sacrum consists of 5 vertebrae that are fused together during early adulthood. 

Coccyx

Also known as the tailbone, the coccyx is the final portion of the spine.  Like the sacrum, it consists of 3-5 rudimentary vertebrae that have been fused together. 

The severity and effects of a spine injury depends on what structure is injured and what part of the spine is injured.  For example, an injury to a lumbar spinal disc can result in a slipped or herniated disc causing lower back pain and loss of motion. On the other hand, an injury to the spinal cord itself can result in paralysis.  

Common Spine Injuries

Injuries to the spine can be some of the most severe and tragic injuries suffered in an accident.  While a spine injury can take any shape or form, some spine injuries are more likely to occur in car, truck, and other serious accidents.  The following is a brief description of some of the most commonly suffered spine injuries. 

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury, or SCI, may involve a contusion (bruise), laceration (cut) or other physical damage to the spinal cord.  A spinal cord injury is the most severe type of spine injury.  Though frequently associated with major accidents involving trucks and other heavy vehicles or motorcycle accidents, a spinal cord injury can occur in even the most “run-of-the-mill” car accident. 

Spinal cord injuries can either be complete or incomplete.  In a complete SCI, all sensations and motor function is lost from the point of the injury and below.  The spinal cord either suffers a serious injury or, less often, severed.  In an incomplete SCI, there is still some level of function and sensation at and/or below the point of injury. 

Spinal cord injuries are graded by the American Spinal Injury Association’s (ASIA) grading scale:

  • ASIA A: complete SCI with no function or sensation
  • ASIA B: sensory incomplete SCI with complete loss of motor function
  • ASIA C: motor incomplete SCI where less than half of the muscle groups are anti-gravity (meaning that they can lift against gravity with full range of motion)
  • ASIA D: motor incomplete SCI where more than half of the muscle groups are anti-gravity

Spinal Fractures and Dislocations

Another common spine injury is a spinal fracture.  A spinal fracture is simply a broken or crushed vertebra—the bony part of the spine.  The most common type of spinal fracture is a vertebral body compression fracture.  With a vertebral body compression fracture, downward force crushes the vertebra.  In the most severe spinal fractures, bony fragments may enter the spinal column and cause a spinal cord injury.  When that happens, it is referred to as a burst fracture. Spinal fractures commonly occur in high-impact car accidents. 

Spinal dislocations occur when the ligaments and/or discs that hold the vertebrae in position are stretched or torn.  The vertebrae then come out of alignment causing pain and instability of the spine.  Like spinal fractures, dislocations of the spine commonly occur in motor vehicle accidents. 

Sometimes a spinal fracture and a spinal dislocation will occur together.  This is referred to as a spinal fracture-dislocation and involves a crushed vertebra as well as torn ligaments.  A spinal fracture-dislocation is a very severe injury that typically requires surgery and are often debilitating. 

Most spinal fractures and spinal dislocations occur in the thoracic and lumbar portions of the spine though not always. 

Herniated, Slipped, or Bulging Discs

A frequent spine injury that most people are familiar with is commonly known as a herniated, slipped, or bulging disc.  A slipped disc occurs when the disc suffers a tear and the jelly-like inner substance of the disc is then able to push out and irritate nearby nerves.  The irritation of nearby nerves is what causes pain, tingling, numbness, and other issues associated with a herniated disc. 

A slipped disc is a common car accident injury, occurring in even the most minor “fender benders.”  The jarring motions of a car accident can force the body to quickly jolt back and forth and cause whiplash.  Whiplash is a leading cause of slipped discs in car and other motor vehicle accidents. 

Herniated discs may be relatively minor and resolve on their own in weeks or months.  Other herniated discs may never fully heal and leave the injured person with permanent pain, tingling, numbness, or other sensations.  Pain may be felt in the back or in the legs and other extremities.  Surgery may be an option for some.

Signs and Symptoms of a Spine Injury

Car, truck, and other motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spine injuries in the United States.  If you’ve been a motor vehicle accident or any other accident and experience any of the following signs and symptoms of a spine injury, it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible:

  • Pain or pressure in the head, neck, back, or waist area
  • Partial or complete loss of movement or control of any part of the body
  • Tingling, burning, “pins and needles,” numbness, or other sensations in hands, fingers, feet, or toes
  • Incontinence
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lumps on the head or spine

Your health should always be your number one priority.  If there is any doubt, make sure you seek proper medical treatment.

Common Accidents Causing Spine Injuries

Spine injuries may occur in any number of different accidents.  The following are some of the more common accidents causing spine injuries:

Car Accident

Spine injuries are commonly suffered in car accidents.  Even minor car accidents have the ability to cause any type of spine injury, especially slipped discs. 

Truck Accident

Because of their size and weight, truck accidents cause some of the more severe spine injuries, including spinal cord injuries. 

Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are less visible and offer minimal protection in an accident.  That’s why motorcycles are more likely to be involved in accidents.  And, when a motorcycle accident occurs, they typically result in more severe injuries, including spine injuries. 

Workplace Accident

The coal mining, oil and gas, and other industries of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania require the use of heavy machinery, equipment, and vehicles.  When improperly maintained or used, serious injury can occur, including spine injuries. 

Slip and Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents less commonly result in spine injuries but they can occur.   

Medical Malpractice

A doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare provider’s wrongful actions or inactions can cause a spine injury.  Medical malpractice claims involving a spinal cord injury can be complex.

No matter the type of accident, if you’ve suffered a spine injury as a result of someone else’s actions, you may be entitled to significant compensation.  Contact a spine injury law firm to see if you have a case.  Contact GKT at (304) 845-9750, Live Chat 24/7, or use our online form today. 

Spine Injury Compensation

A person suffering from a spine injury may be entitled to a variety of different types of compensation.  If you’ve been in an accident and suffered a spine injury you may be entitled to the following compensation:

Medical bills and expenses

Medical bills for spine injuries can be very significant.  Compensation to pay for past and future doctor, hospital, and specialist bills may be available.

Long term care

Spine injuries, especially those involving paralysis, may require long-term or permanent care.  Determining whether that care will be necessary and how much it will cost is key in a spine injury case.

Lost wages and income

Spine injury sufferers are often unable to work for various periods of time.  People suffering from a spine injury are very likely entitled to lost wages and income. 

Pain and suffering

Spine injuries can be extremely painful and debilitating.  Compensation is typically available for pain and suffering. 

Loss of companionship/loss of consortium

The family of a person suffering a spinal cord injury will likely be entitled to compensation.

Emotional distress

Compensation for emotional distress may be available in a spine injury case depending on the particular facts and circumstances of the accident.  The best spine injury lawyers will fully investigate whether a claim for emotional distress can be made. 

Consulting with an experienced spine injury lawyer, like those at GKT, is the first step to learning more about the compensation you may be entitled to.  Contact GKT for a free case evaluation. 

Finding a Brain Injury Lawyer

There is no shortage of law firms who seek to represent people suffering from a spine injury as a result of a car or other accident.  That doesn’t mean that each law firm is equally qualified. 

The right law firm will have experience handling your type of accident—whether it be a truck accident or a workplace accident—and your specific type of spine injury.  This is especially if it’s a serious injury such as a spinal cord injury. 

Knowledge and experience matter.  That’s why anyone who has suffered a spine injury in an accident should make sure they ask questions of any prospective lawyers.  Do you have experience litigating my type of accident?  Do you have experience litigating my type of injury?  How many cases have you had?  What are your results?  Performing this due diligence can mean the difference between winning and losing your spine injury case.    

When to Call a Brain Injury Lawyer

It’s never too early to call a spine injury lawyer.  A reputable spine injury lawyer will start working on your case as soon as possible by investigating the accident and making sure valuable evidence is preserved.  A spine injury lawyer, like those at GKT, will also handle all communications with the insurance company, so the injured person can focus on their health and well-being.  If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact GKT today. 

Our Brain Injury Lawyers Get Results

Our spine injury attorneys know that this is perhaps the most difficult time in your life.  That’s why our spine injury lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year.  GKT’s spine injury attorneys are happy to provide you with a free case evaluation so that you can make the right decision for you. Contact GKT today to schedule a free consultation whenever and however it is convenient for you—by phone, online, live chat, or in person at our office or at your home or another location.  We represent all of our spine injury clients on a contingency fee basis.  That means we don’t require a retainer and don’t collect a fee unless we obtain compensation for you.  If you’ve suffered a spine injury, we’re here to help. 

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