Spinal cord injuries can range from the most debilitating of injuries, including quadriplegia and paraplegia, to incomplete injuries that partially restrict an individual’s ability to move and function.
The spinal cord is a bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from your brain stem down into your lower back. It is encased in, and protected by, three layers of tissue as well as the vertebral column in your back (the bony part of your spine). The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system (CNS).
The purpose of the spinal cord is to act as the main conduit between the brain and the body, relaying messages between the two. If the spinal cord becomes injured, then the messages between the brain and body are no longer clearly relayed and function is impaired.
These injuries are devastating to an individual and their family. Spinal cord injuries usually involve a long period of rehabilitation, as well as a lifetime of ongoing care needs. The costs associated with this kind of rehabilitation, treatment and care can be enormous. The emotional strain on all involved is also tremendous.
Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience dealing with these catastrophic cases, and are familiar with the types of therapy, programs and support you will need both at the outset of your injury and going forward. Following a spinal cord injury, the initial focus is always care and treatment. Our first concern will be accessing any benefits that may be available to you (such as accident benefits, disability benefits and/or other health care benefits) and ensuring that the appropriate supports and treatment programs are in place for you. Depending on what is required, we can work directly with both your treatment team and your benefits insurer to make sure you are obtaining all the support you are entitled to.
Depending on your circumstances, we may advise you to commence an action against a negligent party right away, or we may advise you to simply focus on treatment initially, in order to allow you and your family time to adjust to your circumstances. In general, the two year time limitation will apply to any legal claims you may have for damages. Regardless of how this unfolds, we understand that your first priority is treatment, and that our role is to make sure that your legal needs are looked after in a way that takes as much as the burden off you as possible, while also ensuring that you also have a clear understanding of the process.
