Spinal cord injuries are devastating at any age. While motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of these injuries, falls are the most common reason they occur in people who are 65 years old or older. Sometimes a property owner’s negligence can lead to a fall.
Regardless of the victim’s age or the cause of the injury, getting medical care is critical for these individuals. Minimizing the damage that occurs to the spinal cord after the injury is possible only with rapid medical care. In cervical spine injuries, swift care is necessary because the victim might not be able to breathe.
What can damage the spinal cord after the initial injury?
After the injury occurs, the body will try to preserve the area. Unfortunately, this can lead to further damage. There might be inflammation, swelling, fluid accumulation and bleeding in the affected area. This can put pressure on the nerves, which can lead to damage.
In many cases, the impacts of the spinal cord injury will seem worse in the days immediately following it. As time progresses and the spinal cord has a chance to begin healing, there’s a chance that the person may regain at least partial function or feeling below the level of the injury.
Anyone who suffers a spinal cord injury from any cause related to negligence, including a fall, may opt to pursue a claim for compensation. This can include damages for medical care, but you can also add in other expenses and financial impacts. New Mexico law limits the amount of time you have to get your claim filed, so be sure to do this quickly after the injury occurs.