A spinal cord injury is any injury to the spinal cord via the vertebrae or the ligaments. A spinal cord injury even includes disks. In most cases, a spinal cord injury happens due to a blow, trauma, or cut to the spine. The most serious result of a spinal cord injury is paralysis or death.
If someone suffers a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another party, they should speak with an attorney. Even if it is minimal loss of sensation or nerve damage that may not cause them to be paralyzed, as it could still impact their life.
Some of the most common causes of a spinal cord injury are car accidents, slip and falls, and an act of violence. If you or a loved one suffered such injury, you need to know what to do after a spinal cord injury in Chicago. Knowing the steps to take could help protect your claim and the right to compensation. Reach out to an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer today to learn more.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately Following a Spinal Cord Injury
The first call a spinal cord injury victim should make is 911 to get medical attention right away. If they have been involved in any sort of accident in which they have an injury to the spinal cord, being seen by a medical professional immediately is critical. Even if a person feels that they are fine after an accident, they should seek medical care just to be sure.
If it is a traumatic event, they need to go to the nearest emergency room to make sure that they have been stabilized and they have emergency medical attention available to them. After some sort of treatment at the hospital, there would be various specialists that may want to treat them, including neurologists or orthopedists, specifically ones that specialize in the spine. A spinal cord injury may require a long course of physical therapy and various medications. There could be a host of different types of doctors involved in the care and treatment of someone who has suffered a spinal cord injury. Once they are in a stable condition and have had time to reflect on the events that caused their injury, an accomplished attorney would be an appropriate person to contact immediately following the medical help that they need. A lawyer could help the injured person know what to do after a spinal cord injury in Chicago.
Documenting Injuries and Recovery Process
Besides seeking medical attention immediately, the other thing a person could do to help their situation is to document their injuries and recovery process. Many times in catastrophic injury cases, lawyers will tell the victim to keep a journal to document their recovery and how the injury has impacted their day-to-day life. It is essential for an individual to be able to reflect a specific day and say that they tried to a certain activity but was unable to due to the injury. Also, they should document if they are suffering tremendous pain or have to take several pain medications just to get out of bed. These aspects are important to demonstrate the pain and suffering the victim has. Lawyers always recommend that people document everything about their injuries, whether with photos, journaling, or recording their thoughts in some way.
Contacting an Attorney
A person with a spinal cord injury should reach out to a seasoned lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney could assist with gathering evidence, ensuring the individual is getting the medical treatment they need, and fighting to get the compensation that they deserve. They understand the nature of the injuries, the science behind it, and have a good sense of the value of a spinal cord injury sort case. For more information about what to do after a spinal cord injury in Chicago, reach out to a skilled attorney.
