How to Look for Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury

A strong blow to the neck, mid-back or lower back can significantly damage the spine, sometimes causing chronic pain or paralysis.

Accident victims must pay close attention to their symptoms after a motor vehicle accident. Adrenaline may cause the victim not to immediately feel pain, unfortunately in some cases, seemingly minor injuries may become worse when left untreated. Read on to learn more about signs of spinal cord injury and why it is important to call an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer.

Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can occur anywhere from the neck down to the bottom of the spine. In some cases, spinal cord injury symptoms may appear after several hours or days after the accident, so pay attention to and document any pain you experience in the days following an accident. It’s crucial to seek medical attention after a car accident to properly assess and diagnose any injuries. Symptoms of spinal cord injury include:

• Stiffness in the shoulders and neck
• Neck pain
• Muscle spasms
• Feeling dizzy or tired
• Radiating pain down the legs 
• Headache at the base of the skull
• Tingling or numbness in the feet, legs, hands or arms

Emergency Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Any abnormalities or signs of potential spinal damage is important to have checked by a medical professional immediately. The following symptoms may suggest that the damage to your spine is severe enough to seek medical attention right away. Emergency spinal cord injuries include:

• Weakness (or paralysis) in parts of the body
• Difficulty in standing or walking
• Loss of sensation, tingling or numbness in the toes, feet, hands or fingers

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the spinal cord injury symptoms above, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

When to Call A Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

After receiving a spinal injury diagnosis from your medical professional, contact an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer right away. This is or could be a life-altering event; you deserve compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced.

Since 1993, James H. Brown and Associates have stood up for hundreds of spinal cord injury victims and fought for their rightful compensation. While you and your family focus on your road to recovery, our team of experienced spinal cord injury lawyers with over 250 years of combined experience will help you receive the compensation you need to move forward.

Book a free consultation with one of our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers today!