For many years, we have been vigilant in representing the injured and their families. The Law Offices of Shapiro & Associates has achieved million-dollar recoveries for accident deaths and injuries. Our spinal cord injury accident attorney has been given the highest rating for legal ability and ethics. We have been recognized in the legal community for our accomplishments and this is testament to the fact that fellow lawyers and judges rank us at the highest level of professional excellence.
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating injuries resulting in serious injuries. The spinal column runs from the top of the neck, extending from the brain to the lower part of the back down to the coccyx. The spine is basically divided into three parts; the cervical , thoracic, and lumbar. More than 11,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year in the United States, with many experiencing severe chronic pain, paralysis and death.
At the Law Offices of Shapiro & Associates our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer has the experience and knowledge to collect money for your case. A spinal cord injury can be a devastating injury requiring attendant care and treatment for a lifetime. Special damages must be collected to provide for the injured future needs. Recovery should include medical expenses and it should also include compensation for, special equipment, medications, supplies, transportation, lost earnings, pain and suffering, etc.
When necessary our board certified trial lawyer will work with doctors and experts to develop a lifetime plan of care for injured clients. We will work outlining annual and lifetime costs for long-term care over the injured person’s life. All areas of care are included, such as: physician follow-ups, supplies, medications, transportation, therapies, and long-term residential facility costs.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, contact The Law Offices of Shapiro & Associates for a free consultation.
The Spinal Column
Cervical
The cervical part of the spine is in the neck area. The spine is comprised of many pieces of bone, and through the spine the spinal column protects the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down to the bottom of the spine and then branches out like lines coming from the power generator that carry electricity from its main source and then branch out from the generating station to the city and then branches out from there to various parts of the city.
Compression Fracture of the Spine
The spinal column is actually made up of soft bone, so sometimes in a traumatic event the person gets a compression fracture of the spine, which means the soft bone is compressed down. A much more serious injury to the spine is when the nerves going down through the spine become injured.
Spinal Column – Discs
Between the various levels of the bone mass in the spine are discs. The discs can be compared to a rubber inner tube or a jelly donut. Within the disc is a mushy material that acts as a shock absorber, and discs give flexibility to the spine. As people get older, the discs become less pliant and become harder and less mushy. That is why it appears that some older people are actually shrinking, because the discs in their back or not as pliant, and they are getting flatter and harder.
Bulging Disk
A bulging disc is analogous to an inner tube tire with a bulge in it. A bulging disc is when the material inside the disc starts to push through but does not come out of the disc, like a bulge in an inner tube. This can still cause a very serious condition if the bulge is pressing upon the nerve that is exiting from the spinal column at that level of the spinal column. Doctors can usually tell, because they know which nerves come out of which locations in the spinal column and go to what part of the anatomy. So the doctor can usually tell whether or not the bulge is pressing on the nerve by knowing whether or not there is pain in a certain part of the body; whether or not the pain is radiating; and whether there is a loss of sensation or involvement in the motor function.
Herniated Disc
A herniated or ruptured disc means that the bulge has now opened up and the material inside the disc has actually come out. This tends to be a more serious situation, and frequently involves compression on a nerve that is coming out of that location of the spinal column. Another term that is used is a disc protrusion.
Ordinary X-rays will only show a picture of the hard tissue, i.e., the spinal column or the bones in the arms and the legs and other parts of the anatomy. In order to actually see a picture of the herniated disc or the soft tissue, or things like cancer, the doctor will either have to take a CT scan or an MRI. MRI means magnetic resonance imaging. Your body actually goes inside the MRI machine; the machine bounces through magnets in the machine impulses that are recorded and an actual picture of the soft tissue comes out.
Aggressive • Accessible • Experienced
Experience and knowledge are key elements in winning your case. The Law Offices of Shapiro & Associates has the experience, training and knowledge to win. If you have been seriously injured as the result of a spinal cord injury, the Law Offices of Shapiro & Associates can help protect your rights and assist you in recovering the highest compensation. The sooner you call, the faster we can help you get compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.