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Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) have a profound impact on individuals and their families. Whether caused by accidents, medical negligence, or other traumatic events, SCIs can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, and significant lifestyle changes. On this Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, we recognise the resilience of those affected and raise awareness about the challenges they face.
A SCI is damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal and which will often cause permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the site of the injury. Common symptoms include problems with walking, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, and feelings of spreading numbness or tingling in the extremities.
The severity of the injury can vary from complete, where all sensory and motor function is lost below the level of injury, to incomplete, where some sensory or motor function is preserved. Treatment and rehabilitation can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with SCI. The severity and effects of a spinal cord injury can vary greatly depending on the location and extent of the injury.
The purpose is primarily to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals living with spinal cord injuries and to highlight the plight that those individuals have to face in their day to day lives to those who do not have the injury.
Awareness is to highlight the importance of support and rehabilitation and to show what research is being undertaken to help improve rehabilitation, recovery and outcomes.
A Spinal Cord Injury can be caused in a variety of ways;
Trauma: Any traumatic event can cause an SCI, and there could be endless possibilities, typically as Solicitors dealing with Claims, we encounter such injuries when individuals have been involved in a traumatic incident such as a car, motorbike or bicycle accident, a fall from height or from a sport-related injury. These may be as a result of another’s negligence or not.
Medical Negligence: A spinal cord injury can be caused by a failure or omission on the part of a medical professional/s. This can include the failure to diagnose an injury or condition correctly or at all, negligently undertaking a procedure that causes an injury or not undertaking a procedure that causes the degeneration of a condition or allows further damage to the spine to occur.
Disease and Other Conditions: A variety of diseases and conditions, including tumour's, infections, developmental disorders, spondylosis, and osteoporotic vertebral fractures, can lead to spinal cord injuries.
Non-Traumatic Causes: These encompass degenerative and vascular conditions.
At Taylor Rose we have helped many clients to claim compensation for spinal cord injuries. We are committed to providing a tailored service to each of our clients depending on their individual needs. We take the time to understand and recognise the difficulties our clients face as a result of their injures and support them throughout the litigation process to try and help them live a fulfilling life, as close to their life pre-injury, as possible. This includes obtaining compensation to help our clients undertake all aspects of daily living, personal care, returning to work and re-gaining enjoyment from hobbies they previously participated in. We understand from working with clients who have sustained SCIs just how many everyday tasks people take for granted which can be extremely difficult for a person who has suffered an SCI. Ensuring the right adjustments are made to our client’s home and surroundings can make a huge difference to their overall quality of life.
Our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury teams can help those who have been injured obtain access to some the following:
Rehabilitation
Aids & Equipment - wheelchairs, adaptations to your home, therapy equipment and more.
Care & Assistance
Assistive Technology – remote controlled or voice activated controls around the home, fob entry systems,
Therapy – counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language therapy etc)
Pain Management
Loss of Earnings – if you have had to take time off work or will not be able to work in the future.
Rehabilitation is one of the most important aspects of life after a spinal cord injury.
Regaining Function: The primary goal of rehabilitation is to help patients regain as much function as possible. This can involve relearning how to control the body, take care of oneself, and return to as many daily living activities as possible.
Preventing Secondary Complications: Rehabilitation aims to prevent secondary complications that can arise after an SCI. This includes respiratory management, skin care, early strengthening, and range of motion.
Education: Rehabilitation provides patient education, which is essential for understanding the injury and learning how to manage it.
Long-Term Process: Rehabilitation after an SCI is an ongoing process that may continue for many years. It’s not just about the initial recovery, but also about adapting to any permanent disabilities and maintaining the highest possible quality of life.
Psychological Support: Rehabilitation also provides psychological and emotional support for individuals who are mentally distressed and/or cognitively impaired after a traumatic injury.
Personalised Care: Rehabilitation needs to be person-centred, individualised, and holistic at all stages of the care pathway. It should take into account the person’s individual rehabilitation needs and what is important to them
Taylor Rose is committed to raising the awareness of Spinal Cord Injuries. Our work in supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries demonstrates a clear commitment to the cause. We understand the challenges faced by individuals with SCI and work to obtain the best possible outcome for each case.
At Taylor Rose we have experienced specialist teams of solicitors to help those living with spinal injuries. We understand the importance of rehabilitation, therapy and support with living with a spinal injury.
If you or someone you care about has experienced a spinal cord injury, do not hesitate to contact our Personal Injury or Medical Negligence departments by calling 020 3540 4444 or click the 'contact us' button at the top of the page. Our empathetic teams are ready to listen, offer guidance, and provide assistance. Please click here to find out more about our Personal Injury Team and to find out more about our Medical Negligence Team, please click here.
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