Approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year in the United States.* Almost everyone who survives a spinal cord injury is paralyzed to some degree. Given the severe consequences of spinal cord injuries, it is important to understand who is getting injured and how they are getting injured so that changes can be made to prevent as many of these tragic accidents as possible.
1. Who is Getting Hurt with Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries overwhelmingly affect males. The average age of injury has risen to just over 40 years of age in recent years.
2. What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are predominately caused by motor vehicle accidents and falls, though violence, sports and other causes also injure many people each year.
3. How Bad are Spinal Cord Injuries?
While many people die immediately from their spinal cord injuries, those who survive almost always face some sort of significant lasting injury at the time they are released from the hospital. In fact, less than one percent of spinal cord injury victims leave the hospital without some sort of quadriplegia or paraplegia. Quadriplegia, or tetraplegia, is defined as paralysis that affects the upper and lower body and paraplegia is defined as paralysis that affects the lower body.
Given the significant medical consequences of spinal cord injuries, it is often difficult for spinal cord injury victims to maintain employment. Statistics indicate that 57.5% of spinal cord victims were employed at the time of their accident but that one year after their accidents, only 11.6% of spinal cord victims are employed.
4. Why are Spinal Cord Statistics Important?
The information provided above shows us who is getting hurt , how badly they are getting hurt and what is causing their injuries. That information could lead to prevention of future spinal cord injuries. It could lead to fewer injuries, fewer people who have to live their lives with significant disabilities caused by accidents, and fewer families who have to say goodbye to their loved ones.
5. What Should You Do if You Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury then there are three important things that you should do following your accident.
First, get the best medical attention and rehabilitation services that you can find. Look for doctors and therapists that have experience with your type of injury and who have success in treating it.
Next, get support from your friends, family, and organizations that specialize in spinal cord injuries such as:
- The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois: the SCIA of Illinois is associated with the national Spinal Cord Injury Association, an organization dedicated to providing support and resources to victims of spinal cord injuries.
- NextSteps Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Center: provides information about different types of spinal cord treatments and information about its own rehabilitation services.
- The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: conducts research and provides information and support for people with spinal cord injuries and their families
- Brain and Spinal Cord . Org: maintains information and resources for spinal cord injury victims, including a state by state resource guide
Finally, call Dolan Law Offices if you’ve been hurt in an Illinois accident. Your expenses may be great and you shouldn’t have to bear them alone, especially if someone else caused your injuries. We can help you investigate your case and recover the damages to which you are legally entitled.
*Source: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, Birmingham Alabama, Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance