Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Experienced Legal Representation for Spinal Cord Injury Cases in Missouri 

There really is no such thing as a minor spinal cord injury; all spinal cord injuries are severe and require immediate attention from a qualified medical professional. If you were involved in a car accident, slipped and fell on a wet floor, or were otherwise injured in a traumatic event and believe you may have sustained a back or spine injury, seek medical attention right away. Then, contact Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd.

When others are negligent, and you are injured, you have the right to take legal action. Our Kansas City spinal cord injury lawyers understand the unique challenges spine injury victims face, and they know how to take on significant insurance providers and their defense teams in pursuit of fair compensation for their clients. Since our firm’s founding in 1949, we have successfully recovered over half a billion dollars for the injured throughout Missouri, Kansas, and the Midwest. Contact us today to learn how our experienced and highly respected legal team can help you with your case. 

Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident? Call Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, CHTD today at (816) 542-5999 or contact us online to meet with our spinal cord injury attorneys in Kansas City!

Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in loss of function, such as mobility and sensation. The severity of the injury depends on the location and extent of the damage.

Here are the common types of spinal cord injuries:

• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In this type of injury, some function remains below the level of injury. The person may still have some feeling or movement.
• Complete Spinal Cord Injury: In a complete injury, there is a total loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury. This means there is no feeling or movement below the injury site.
• Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): This type of injury affects the cervical spine (neck area) and results in paralysis of all four limbs and the trunk muscles.
• Paraplegia: Paraplegia involves the paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs and often parts of the trunk. It typically results from an injury to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord.
• Central Cord Syndrome: This type of injury affects the center of the spinal cord, often resulting in more severe weakness or paralysis in the arms compared to the legs.
• Brown-Séquard Syndrome: This syndrome results from an injury that damages one side of the spinal cord, leading to loss of movement on one side of the body and loss of sensation on the opposite side.
• Anterior Cord Syndrome: In this type of injury, damage occurs to the front (anterior) portion of the spinal cord, leading to loss of motor function and sensation. Proprioception (awareness of body position) and vibration sense may be preserved.
• Conus Medullaris Syndrome: This injury affects the lower part of the spinal cord, below the level of the first lumbar vertebra, leading to varying degrees of paralysis and loss of sensation in the legs and lower body.

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms

Many people involved in accidents experience minor back pain afterward and think it’s just muscle spasms. But back injuries can turn into more than just muscle and joint pain. Often, a minor break in the spine can grow into a very serious spinal cord injury. If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, get your spine checked for damages, particularly if you were hit from behind.

Some of the most common symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:

• Pain in any range from neck to hips
• Headaches
• Loss of mobility
• Loss of feeling in arms and legs
• Organ malfunctions
• Hearing loss
• Blurred vision

If you or someone else is displaying emergency symptoms of a spinal cord injury—such as extreme pain/pressure in the head, neck, or back; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, fingers, or toes; paralysis or weakness/loss of coordination; or loss of bladder or bowel control—do not move the injured individual. Call 911 and wait for paramedics to arrive.

Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can result from any type of accident, but the most common causes include:

• Car crashes
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Falls
• Injuries from assault/violence

Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include ruptured vertebrae, surgical errors, birth injuries, and being hit by falling objects.

Spinal Cord Injury Treatments

Many Americans believe that injuries to a person’s spinal cord inevitably mean such severe loss of mobility that the person will be permanently disabled and can only look forward to a life of diminished quality. It is true that many people who suffer spinal cord injuries are permanently paralyzed and must change the way they live. Many others, however, can adapt to these challenges and live complete lives.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 12,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries each year. Most experience significant changes in their lives, including many secondary injuries caused by neural damage and restricted blood flow.

Treatment for spinal cord injuries may include surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic services, and even alternative medical procedures, like acupuncture. These treatments could last for years, may be extremely expensive, and might only lessen the severity of the injury or the victim’s pain—if they work at all. Additionally, victims of a spinal cord injury may need to move to a care facility or require in-home care and be dependent on various medical equipment, like a wheelchair or walking aid.

Successful rehabilitation programs combine physical therapies with counseling for social and emotional support. In the hospital, a rehabilitation team is typically assembled, which includes a rehabilitation specialist, social workers, physical therapists, rehabilitation nurses, psychologists, and case workers.

Physical therapy uses exercises that strengthen the patient’s muscles. Occupational therapy redevelops motor skills needed to perform daily activities; these can help a patient get in and out of bed, perform daily hygiene tasks, and prepare and eat meals. Patients are also taught strategies to cope with various other physical challenges and pain management.

The True Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury

The spine is delicate, and although it is protected by bone, any trauma to the spinal cord could cause lifelong damage. Spinal cord injuries may have effects that range from difficulty walking or moving to partial or even complete paralysis. In addition to the financial costs associated with treating these injuries, victims often suffer serious, debilitating emotional and physical effects.

Realizing that you may never walk, talk properly, or simply move your hand again can be devastating. For those who can improve, the road to a full or partial recovery may be extended, frustrating, and expensive.

The overall cost to the economy of caring for patients with spinal cord injuries is approximately $3 billion per year. The costs for individuals and their families are usually high enough to create significant financial problems. However, if a spinal cord injury was the result of negligence on the part of another person or party, compensation can be sought through a personal injury lawsuit to cover a wide variety of expenses. If a suit is successful, everything from hospital bills to rehabilitation to long-term care may be considered the legal responsibility of the negligent party.

Our law firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of spinal cord injury victims. We can provide information about this injury and how it may affect your life and those around you. We are committed to helping spinal cord injury patients and their families obtain the best possible outcome. Our Kansas City spinal cord injury lawyers are compassionate advocates who pay the utmost attention to cases involving negligence, whether it is due to a motor vehicle crash, work-related incident, slip and fall accident, or medical error.

Understanding the Deadline for Filing Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Missouri

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, it's crucial to take prompt action because of the time restrictions for filing a personal injury claim. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those related to spinal cord injuries, is generally five years from the date of the incident. To preserve your right to seek compensation, you must file your lawsuit within this five-year period.

If you miss this deadline, you may be unable to pursue legal action, even if your injury is severe. There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as when the injury is discovered later or if the responsible party cannot be identified immediately.

Given the complexity of these deadlines and the potential for exceptions, it is essential to consult with an experienced Kansas City spinal cord injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help ensure your case is filed within the appropriate time limits.

Contact Our Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Today

Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd is a prominent personal injury law firm in Kansas City. When you contact us for a free, confidential consultation, we can explain the legal process for recovering compensation and ensure you take care of any outstanding medical issues.

We’ll handle everything about your claim, from hiring independent professionals to investigating and preparing your case to ensuring your property damage and medical needs are covered. We offer more than just sound legal advice and vigorous representation because we understand what a spinal cord injury can do to your entire family. We use our experience to help you get your whole family the financial, medical, and social support services they will need as your case moves toward a settlement or trial.

If you’re ready to take action and seek the compensation you deserve, call our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers in Kansas City for a confidential case evaluation!