According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are approximately 17, 000 new spinal cord injury cases every year and 78% of them are male. The number of people living with spinal cord injuries is estimated to be 288, 000. Car accidents are the leading cause of these injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury, you should contact a Fall River spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible to know how much you deserve in compensation.
The good news is that spinal cord injuries do not occur often so many people do not have a lot of information about them. This is part of the reason why many people believe some of the myths that surround these injuries. In this article, we are going to discuss some of these myths.
Myths About Spinal Cord Injuries from Fall River, MA, Accidents
1. It’s Much Easier for Young People to Progress in Rehabilitation
This is entirely untrue because rehabilitation depends on the severity of a person’s injuries. Other factors that may hasten the process include:
- The amount of social support they get
- Medical care available
- Their personal life.
2. All Spinal Cord Injuries are the Same
A spinal cord injury is either complete or incomplete. If the injury is complete, there is no sensory or motor function below the injured area. An incomplete injury means the patient has partial feelings or movements.
3. All Spinal Cord Injury Victim Experience Total Paralysis
Every person’s road to recovery is different. While most people with spinal cord injuries might experience impaired mobility and sensory loss, their levels of disability vary greatly. The extent of disability will depend on the location of the spinal cord injury and the intensity of the injury.
A patient with an injury around the neck may lose mobility completely while the one with an injury around the mid-lower back may walk with or without the assistance of braces.
While a wheelchair aids in mobility, you won’t always be confined to one. You can move around and perform daily errands like shopping, picking up your dry cleaning, and so on.
4. You Cannot get Back to Work after a Spinal Cord Injury
This is not entirely true because most employees return to work within one year of their injury. Very few are required to make minor adjustments and others can maintain their previous job. If you can’t return to your previous job, there are plenty of occupational therapists in Fall River, MA, that can help you find a new career path. This means you can still pursue a new career and you do not need to feel limited by your injury.
5. You Cannot Have Children with a Spinal Cord Injury
Medical technology has improved a lot over the past few years. Reproductive technologies can assist males suffering from spinal cord injuries to father children. Women on the other hand can have healthy pregnancies.
6. A Physical Therapist Can Predict Your Progress
No one can predict the future. A physical therapist can identify your progress and also help a patient identify their potential based on that progress. However, progress is not always a straight line so this would make it hard to predict the outcome of your rehabilitation process.
7. The Lifespan of People Suffering from Spinal Cord Injuries is much Shorter
The life expectancy of anyone is influenced by their lifestyle and this is no different for the person living with a spinal cord injury. A clean and healthy diet, regular exercise, and resources to improve the quality of life ultimately promote a longer lifespan.
8. The Leading Cause of Death in Spinal Cord Injury Victims is Renal Failure
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the leading causes of death in spinal cord injury victims are:
- Septicemia
- Cerebrovascular diseases
- Neoplasms
- Cardiovascular diseases
The good news is emergency medical services and rehabilitation policies and services have improved over the years and as a result, the risk of dying has been declining.
9. A Fall River Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer is Expensive
Any reputable Fall River spinal cord injury lawyer will deduct their fee after they’ve won your case. This is why it is crucial that you only work with a knowledgeable lawyer who has extensive experience with spinal cord injury lawsuits.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury and you have questions about the legal aspects of your case, contact our spinal cord injury lawyers at 508-676-0001 to schedule your free initial consultation. We have helped many individuals recover compensation so that they can get the support and treatment that they deserve.
