Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

The lawyers of J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, know a spinal cord injury can be devastating. The spinal cord is at the center of the body's nervous system. It runs down the back and connects the brain to nerves in the rest of the body. It is protected by the spinal column, which is made up of vertebrae.

A spinal cord injury may consist of damage to the vertebrae, spinal column ligaments or disks or the spinal cord itself. A damaged spinal cord can produce paralysis or lost functioning in one or more limbs or larger portions of the body. It can also trigger chronic pain that reduces one's quality of life. You may no longer be able to walk, work, perform manual tasks or care for yourself. If another person or company caused your spinal cord injury, J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, can help you seek money for the specialized medical care and assistance that you will need. Call us today at (334) 356-1925, or toll free at (855)-94J-CLAY for a free consultation, or use our online contact form.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) says there are approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injury cases each year. A study published by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation shows that currently, over 5,600,000 people in the United States suffer from some type of paralysis. Paralysis may result from spinal cord trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  • 362,000 paralyzed in work accidents
  • 311,000 paralyzed in motor vehicle accidents
  • 206,000 in sporting/recreation accidents
  • 112,000 in falls
  • More than half (57.1 percent) of spinal cord injury victims were employed at the time of their injury. But one year after their injury, only 11.7 percent were employed, the NSCISC says. Twenty years after a spinal cord injury, only 35.2 percent of injury victims were employed, and a similar level of employment was reported by victims 35 years after their spinal cord injury, the NSCISC says.

    For over 15 years, Mr. Benson has dedicated his law practice to treating each client with dignity and respect while determining the best course of action to help them recover the compensation they deserve. He advocates for his clients in Montgomery, Alabama, and across the U.S. on a daily basis to make sure their rights are protected and fights for the benefits they deserve. Call J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, (334) 356-1925, or toll free at (855)-94J-CLAY or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

    Typical Spinal Cord Injuries
    Spinal cord injuries are usually described as "complete" or "incomplete." A complete spinal cord injury leaves the victim with no function or sensation below the point of the injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury leaves some function below the primary point of the injury. A person with an incomplete spinal cord injury may be able to move one limb more than another, feel parts of the body they cannot move or be able to function on one side of the body. Common spinal cord injuries include:
    • Herniated Disk. Damage to the cushioning disk(s) between the vertebrae. This is also known as a "slipped disk" or a "ruptured disk." The disk may bulge and irritate nearby nerves. The injury may result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg.
    • Spinal Cord Compression. Narrowing of the spinal canal that squeezes the spinal cord. This is also called cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). It can cause pain, numbness and weakness. It is often a slowly progressive malady. In about 5 to 20 percent of victims, CSM worsens rapidly, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.
    • Paralysis is the inability to move parts of the body. When it's caused by a spinal cord injury, paralysis may be referred to as tetraplegia or quadriplegia (the arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected by the spinal cord injury) or paraplegia (all or part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs are affected).
    • Narrowing of the spinal canal to the point that it squeezes the spinal cord causes pain, numbness and weakness, and in most cases, it slowly grows worse. In about 5 to 20 percent of victims, CSM worsens more rapidly, the AAOS says.
    In addition to a loss of sensation or motor function (ability to move), spinal cord injury patients also experience bowel and bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, and inability to regulate blood pressure effectively. In some cases, they may have trouble breathing.

    Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
    The Mayo Clinic says the most common causes of spinal cord injury in the U.S. are:
    • Motor vehicle accidents. Car and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for more than 40 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year.
    • Falls are also a common cause, causing more than 25 percent of spinal cord injuries.
    • Violence. Up to 15 percent of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters, often involving gunshot and knife wounds.
    • Sports and recreation injuries. Impact sports (football, basketball, hockey, etc.) and diving in shallow water cause about 8 percent of spinal cord injuries.
    • Disease. Cancer, arthritis and osteoporosis can also cause spinal cord injuries.
    Spinal cord injuries result in expensive medical treatment and can lead to long and difficult recoveries. People with moderate spinal cord injuries require medication and therapy to recover. Those with more severe injuries may require personal assistive devices, modifications to their homes and in-home care in addition to ongoing medication and therapy. Spinal cord injury victims suffer additional expenses from loss of work or the inability to return to work in many cases.

    Legal Help after Spinal Cord Injury
    If you have suffered from a spinal cord injury, you need an attorney who will fight for your just compensation. Long-term injuries associated with brain and spinal cord injuries may require extensive medical treatment, even institutionalized care. Our attorneys will remain committed to you and your family to get the coverage you need to move forward after a catastrophic injury related to the brain or spinal cord. We are skilled negotiators and will position for the highest settlement in your favor. If we are unable to obtain an adequate settlement, we are prepared to take any case to trial.

    Contact an Alabama Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today for Help
    For over 15 years, Mr. Benson has dedicated his law practice to treating each client with dignity and respect while determining the best course of action to help them recover the compensation they deserve. He advocates for his clients in Montgomery, Alabama, and across the U.S. on a daily basis to make sure their rights are protected and fights for the benefits they deserve.

    Call J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, (334) 356-1925, or toll free at (855)-94J-CLAY or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. If our spinal cord injury lawyers can assist you, we will proceed on a contingency-fee basis. This means we don't get paid for our services until you recover money. Please call as soon as possible to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.