Erie, PA Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Understanding How Spinal Cord Injuries May Occur

The spine is an important and extensive area of the body and, as such, spinal cord injuries can range from the relatively minor to the catastrophically severe. One fact that strongly influences how severe the results of a spinal cord injury are likely to be is where the injury is located within the spine. At the most basic level, the spine is divided into four primary regions, which include:

• The cervical spine. The cervical spine is the upper vertebrae in the spine, located in the neck area, and is where the most severe of spinal cord injuries are likely to occur. The function of the arms, hands, and diaphragm are dependent upon the proper functioning of the cervical spine.
• The thoracic region. The thoracic region of the spine is the middle area of the spine, and is responsible for ensuring the proper function of the chest and abdomen.
• The lumbar region. Located lower in the spinal the lumbar region of the spine controls an individual’s legs, as well as feet and toe movement.
• The sacral area. The sacral area of the spine controls functions such as bowel, bladder and sexual functions.

In general, the higher on the spinal cord that the injury is located, the more serious the injury will be—because every bodily function below that level may be impacted in some way.

Dedicated Lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. Provide Skilled Counsel to Accident Victims in PA Who Have Sustained Spinal Cord Injuries

You do not have to suffer from paraplegia or quadriplegia, or any type of paralysis, in order to pursue a claim for compensation for your spinal cord injuries. In many cases, a spinal cord injury will cause severe side effects and consequences wholly apart from any inability to use your arms and legs—and these ongoing physical issues can be just as damaging to your quality of life. Some common effects of a spinal cord injury include:

• Chronic pain,
• Loss of bladder or bowel function,
• Ongoing tingling sensation in the limbs or abdomen,
• Numbness,
• Sensory deficits,
• Digestive problems,
• Inability to breathe properly and freely,
• Issues with blood pressure regulation,
• Infections,
• Problems with sexual function.

Any one or more of these effects can cause depression and anxiety, require special medical devices and will often cause you to incur ongoing medical expenses that may not always be covered by health insurance. At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., our experienced team of personal injury lawyers is dedicated to fighting to obtain full and fair compensation for clients who have suffered spinal cord injuries in accidents caused by a third party’s negligent, reckless or intentional actions. We know that we cannot obtain enough compensation to return you to your previously healthy life, but will fight to win the compensation necessary to ensure that you are protected financially going forward.

Contact a Seasoned Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Pennsylvania for a Free Initial Consultation

Call our offices or fill out this online form, to schedule a free consultation with an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer today. This initial meeting does not create any obligation to retain our services, and we will provide you with our honest and informed opinions about your options for recovering compensation. For your convenience, we have three office locations located at 2525 W.26th St., Erie, PA 16506, 310 Chestnut St., Suite 111, Meadville, PA 16335 (in the Masonic Building) and 68 East Main Street, North East, PA 16428.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries