Spinal injuries - hope for the future

With the right care and assistance, even the most devastating of injuries doesn't have to mean the end of your dreams and aspirations, as one 15 year old girl found out.

Jordan was a bright, bubbly 15-year-old girl with a great future ahead of her. She was due to take her GCSEs and her school teachers had high hopes for her academically. As well as being academically gifted, Jordan was also making her first inroads into the competitive world of fashion modelling, and had been singled out by an agency to do modelling work. This was her dream - to become a successful model. But a car accident one wet day suddenly halted those dreams in their tracks.

Jordan was a rear-seat passenger in a friend's car and was travelling to meet some school friends. The rain had been heavy enough to leave pools of standing water on the road, and her friend lost control of the car after aquaplaning on the wet surface. The accident, although it didn't involve any other vehicle, was serious. Jordan suffered spinal injuries and was rushed to intensive care at her local hospital.

The worst news

Jordan had suffered a high level break in her spine, resulting in tetraplegia. This meant she had lost the use of her arms and legs - the worst possible news for an active teenager. She was transferred to a specialist spinal injuries unit where her long road to recovery began.

After being transferred to the specialist unit, Jordan's family spoke to a specialist solicitor with expert knowledge in spinal injuries. Although it may not seem that claiming compensation for her injuries was a priority at that point, the family knew that because of the nature of Jordan's injuries, they had to plan for her future and that she would need specialist care for a long time to come. The solicitor was instructed to act on the family's behalf and immediately called in a team of investigators to reconstruct the events leading to Jordan's injury. Within seven days, the team had received confirmation that liability had been admitted in favour of Jordan.

A week later, a substantial interim payment had been made. But that wasn't all her team of solicitors did. Whilst she was still receiving hospital treatment, the team worked closely with her family and other agencies including Jordan's school to put in place a care package that would ensure Jordan not only received the best possible medical treatment, but also that her home environment would be adapted to cater for her long term needs. This included the purchase of a new home with a specially adapted 'wet room', as well as making sure that her education didn't suffer. The school worked closely with the team to make sure that Jordan could continue her studies when she was well enough.

Planning for the future

Today, Jordan is on the road to building a new life for herself. With the help and care she received, she has now managed to secure her GCSEs and is once again pursuing her dream of becoming a successful model. Her story demonstrates that, whilst the initial medical care is vitally important, it is also paramount to plan for the future.

Long term spinal injuries mean a lifetime of care but do not mean that life is over. Jordan's determination to succeed has been an inspiration to everyone around her, including the specialist legal team that have made sure that her financial future is secure. During a difficult time for the family, the legal team didn't just concentrate on getting the compensation Jordan needed, but also acted as a support team for her and her family. That support has meant that Jordan, despite her injuries, can live a full life with financial security and the specialist care that she needs on a daily basis to make her dreams a reality.

About the Author

Article from Serious Law - Specialist support services for those affected by spinal injury from the UK's leading specialised injury law practice.

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A Little Information On Spinal Cord Injury

One of the most common results to a fall or car accident is the occurrence of a spinal injury. There are many different ways this damage can occur, but car accidents cover almost fifty percent of them. It is possibly one of the most serious conditions known to man and can often take many years for the patient to recover. Spinal cord damage is known to be a direct cause of vertebrae damage.

Although it is more common to receive the injury during some kind of accident, it can be caused by significant medical reasons. Sometimes during a stroke, the patient will sustain spinal cord damage which sometimes paralyzes the patient and greatly affects their speech. Multiple sclerosis is another medical condition that will often cause damage to the spinal cord.

There are two levels to the spinal cord damage. They are usually classified as complete injury or incomplete injury. When complete injury has occurred, there is paralysis to the area that is affected. For example, patients that have had complete damage lose control of all body function, but are still able to comprehend their surroundings. On the other hand, those that have incomplete damage can still move parts of their bodies, even slightly.

The injury occurs when the damaged bones in the back puncture, bruise, cut or severe the tender gray matter in the center of the vertebrae. This is the area that controls the movement and speech actions of every human. When this becomes damaged in any way, it will cause symptoms to other parts of the body. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord in the center and runs down the back, from the neck to the bottom of the back.

There are many complications that result from a patient having spinal damage at one time in their life. It can often lead to a life time of back pain, cardio vascular disease and sometimes even pneumonia. Complications such as osteoporosis are a common result of a patient that has some type of spine and spinal cord damage.

The patients and their families of spinal cord damage often have a really hard time adjusting to the situation. Sometimes the damage is so severe; it causes the patient to be paralyzed for the rest of their life, never to recover.

Since most insurance companies do not cover many of the expenses to long term medical care, the families are responsible for either paying someone to do it or do it themselves. Most of the time the latter is chosen, putting the family in emotional and financial stress. Sometimes the patient does recover and can live somewhat of a happy, normal life.

About the Author

Jo Wilson is an expert in spinal injury claims. If you would like more information about spinal injury compensation or are searching for a trusted spinal injury law firm please visit http://personalinjury.ffw.com

Article Source:- GoArticle.com

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Other Source of Information:- Spinal Cord Injury Attorney | Car Accident Attorney

Making a claim For Amputation - Loss of Limb

Amputation claims come in different forms from loosing a leg to loosing a toe or finger. No matter which part of the limb is lost, the results of the amputation can be devastating for the individual. The consequences of the amputation are so far-reaching, that it can take a life-time for the individual to fully recover. The level of time and care that will be needed will depend on the individual situation and the coping mechanisms of the individual concerned. If you have been victim to this, whether or not you will be able to make a claim will depend on how you lost your limb.

Making a traumatic amputation claim

A traumatic amputation claim can arise when somebody suffers a loss of limb during a serious accident. This can happen anywhere, such as in a traffic accident, at the workplace, or in a motorbike accident. These injuries can be complete, or even partial where some soft tissue remains, however the body part is completely crushed. If you have suffered under these circumstances and wish to make a claim, it will be necessary to be able to prove that someone else was wholly or partially responsible for the amputation taking place.

Surgical error claim

As with other surgical procedures, unfortunately complications can occur which can sometimes lead to an amputation of a limb for the patient. On other occasions a surgeon might remove a limb on the basis that it is causing a great deal of pain for the individual or is even threatening their health. The patient can make a claim based on both the surgical error and the amputation.

Misdiagnosis

Arguably the worst type of medical negligence that occurs is wrongful limb amputation. There have been many reported incidents of surgeons through misdiagnosis amputating the wrong limb or amputating a limb unnecessarily. In these cases the patient's life is changed forever due to mishaps that should never have happened. The patient is both physically and psychologically impacted. If the patient wishes to make a misdiagnosis claim, it will have to be shown that the patient's health was not at risk due to the limb.

Suffering the loss of a limb because of a serious accident, or due to a surgical error can have devastating life-changing effects on the individual. If you have been victim to an amputation based on misdiagnosis in treatment or as a result of a road accident, you will be feeling shaky and uncertain about your future. It is understandable in these circumstances to be worried about how you will cope emotionally and financially as a result of your loss.

Depending on the nature of the situation, some may be able to return to their normal course of employment, whilst others will struggle. Others need an extended resting period in order to fully rehabilitate. If you have unfortunately suffered a loss of a limb in an accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Our specialist solicitors will examine your case with sympathy and sensitivity. We are deeply aware of the traumatising effects such a loss can have on the individual.

About the Author

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about solicitors, Lawyer, amputation claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

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Other Source of Information:- Amputation Injury | Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injuries in Oklahoma

Two years ago, Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills suffered a life threatening spinal cord injury. During a tackle, Everett ducked his head down and struck the opponents shoulder an helmet; he immediately fell to the turf unconscious. Thanks to great advances in treating spinal cord injuries, Kevin Everett was able to walk and returned to visit the team towards the end of the season. Many people are not so fortunate.

If the brain is the central processing unit of your body, the spinal cord is the network connection that transports signals from your brain to the rest of your body. Damage to the spinal cord causes a break in the communication system, resulting in paralysis. There are two basic classifications of spinal cord injury: complete and incomplete.

Complete injury vs. incomplete spinal cord injury

A complete spinal cord injury means that the spinal cord is completely severed and there is no function below the level of injury. The damage is in a complete spinal cord injury is usually permanent.

An incomplete spinal cord injury will allow some functioning below the level of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may be temporary or permanent depending on the nature of the injury.

In Kevin Everett's case, the doctors originally were unsure whether or not he would even live, let alone walk again. Based on the location of the injury, it was possible that he would have been a quadriplegic, meaning he would not have the use of his arms or legs. In addition to paralysis, many victims of spinal cord injuries suffer from other health problems including:

* Bowel and bladder functions * Sexual function * Breathing problems * Autonomic functions like temperature regulation * Muscle atrophy * Bed sores

Most of these conditions are permanent and require constant care provided by family members or health care practitioners.

Regions of the Spinal Cord

The spine is divided into three sections, the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Depending on where the injury is located, physicians can make a good guess as to what sort of functions will be lost.

Cervical injuries usually result in quadriplegia or loss of all four limbs. Depending on which vertebrae is affected, partial movement of the biceps and shoulders is possible, but full flexion, and extension is usually not possible.

Thoracic injuries result in paraplegia, or the loss of the use of the legs. The hands and arms are not affected, and problems with breathing and other autonomic functions do not occur.

Lumbar injuries result in loss of the use of the hips, legs, and sometimes the bladder.

Due to the quick action of the emergency medical staff and the innovative treatment of Kevin's doctors, he is now able to walk again beyond anybody's wildest expectations. While we are all grateful for Kevin's recovery, many people are not so fortunate. Medical costs and rehabilitation costs might be offset if the victim files a personal injury lawsuit.

Access to adequate medical care could be the difference between permanent paralysis and reliance on others to help you with basic needs and making a full recovery. Make sure you do your part and avoid unnecessarily dangerous activities. If you do participate in risky behavior, try to minimize potential hazards by buckling your seatbelt, wearing a helmet, or just practicing good common sense with whatever you are doing.


About the Author

If you live in Oklahoma and have suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation; please visit the website of Oklahoma spinal cord injury attorneys Stipe, Harper, Laizure, Uselton, Belote, Maxcey & Thetford today.