A traumatic spinal cord injury begins with a sudden trauma to the spine that dislocates, compresses or fractures vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of the spinal cord tissue is injured. Additional damage typically continues to take place over the following days or weeks due to bleeding, swelling and inflammation, and the buildup of fluid in and around the spinal cord. Most injuries to the spinal cord involve fractures and compression of the vertebrae, which then destroy the nerve cells that carry signals through the spinal cord between the brain and the rest of the body. The extent of damage to these nerve structures varies from injury to injury. Some spinal cord injuries will allow almost complete recovery. Extensive damage to the nerve structures, or a complete severing of the spinal cord, will result in complete paralysis.

The most common causes of spinal cord injury in the United States are automobile and motorcycle accidents, which account for almost 50 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year. Other leading causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries includes acts of violence (about 15 percent of spinal cord injuries annually, often due to gunshot and knife wounds), traumatic falls (especially after age 65), and sports and recreation injuries (athletic activities cause about eight percent of spinal cord injuries).

Traumatic spinal cord injuries can result in catastrophic financial burdens.  How will the highly-specialized, on-going and costly care needs be paid for now and throughout your lifetime?  If the injury was caused by another’s negligent or wrongful actions, how can the wrongdoer be held accountable for the harm and expense caused? These are critical and significant questions that require skilled, experienced and dedicated legal representation. 

If you or your loved one have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury, you need a Minnesota spinal cord injury lawyer with the skill, experience and dedication needed to tackle the complex factual and legal issues.  You can count on and trust the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm’s experience, commitment and resources to ensure that your rights are protected.  If you or your loved one have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury, contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call our firm at (763) 746-7800, or toll-free at (888) 545-7640, for a free no-obligation consultation.