Spinal Cord & Brain Injury

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury or SCI is the most severe type of neck or back injury and is defined as damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of muscular control and sensation. Based on several combined studies, it is estimated that in 2006, approximately 253,000 persons in the US are` suffering from spinal cord injury (calculated from a range of 225,000 to 296,000 persons).

Spinal cord injury may vary from a lighter injury, such as a spinal cord concussion, which usually disappears within several hours, to spinal cord bruises which are more serious and may result in bleeding in the spinal column. As a resulting of the pressure from bleeding, nerve cells may die, leaving spinal cord damage. However, the most severe spinal cord damage comes from spinal cord tears and transection. “Transection” means a complete severing of the spinal cord. When spinal cord is completely severed, the area below the injury is paralyzed. “Paraplegia” refers to paralysis from the waist down and “quadriplegia” is the term used for paralysis from the neck down.

While automobile accidents cause more spinal cord injuries than any other type of occurrence, spinal cord damage may result from any number of circumstances. A Ross Feller Casey attorney settled a case for $1.3 million for a woman who suffered brachial plexus injury resulting from improper injection of an anesthesia block (an injury affecting the nerves that originate from the spinal cord behind the head and neck, the cervical nerves).

Brain Injury

Similar to spinal cord injury, brain injury also has catastrophic consequences when it is severe.

Brain injury sometimes occurs at birth during difficult deliveries when a physician waits too long or fails to perform a necessary c-section. This type of brain injury is also referred to as a birth injury.

However, as a category of catastrophic injury, birth injury and traumatic brain injury are two different and separate categories. Traumatic brain injury occurs as a result of an impact that results in brain damage when the soft brain tissue is thrust forcefully against the skull. A common misconception is that there must be a blow to the head to cause traumatic brain injury, but this isn’t so. The mere thrust of the brain crushing against the skull often results in enough force to bruise, tear or cause bleeding that builds up pressure and results in traumatic brain injury. A high impact involving jerking or shaking, such as on an amusement ride or in a car accident has in some instances caused traumatic brain injury. Some of the symptoms from this type of injury may include headache, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, seizure, loss of balance and coordination, or behavioral and emotional problems.

A number of verdicts and settlements acquired by our attorneys that involved clients who suffered brain injury include:

$13 million settlement for a young man who suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident
$12 million settlement for a boy who was left brain damaged after error during heart surgery
$10 million verdict for a boy who went into anaphylactic shock, resulting in brain injury as a result of an allergic reaction
$9.75 million settlement for a young woman who suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident
$6.0 million settlement for boy who was brain injured at birth due to delay in delivery
$5.2 million settlement for a young girl who suffered brain injuries as a result of improper monitoring for treatment of DKA
$5.0 million settlement for girl brain injured at birth due to delay in delivery
$4.3 million settlement for boy who was brain injured at birth due to delay in delivery
$4.2 million settlement for a man injured from delay in treatment for head injuries suffered in a boxing match

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury or brain injury, one of our attorneys can assist you in determining if you have a case. At Ross Feller Casey we offer a free case evaluation to discuss your concerns. Contact us and we will be glad to arrange a free case evaluation.