What is the Difference Between an Incomplete and a Complete Spinal Cord Injury?

Queens Car Accident Lawyers Explain the Difference Between an Incomplete and a Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are a serious and catastrophic type of personal injury that could be caused in a motor vehicle accident or trucking wreck.  Victims could suffer permanent, disabling, and life-changing injuries.  Also known as an SCI, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistic Center there are approximately 17,700 new spinal cord injuries each year and there is an estimated 288,000 Americans living with a spinal cord injury.  These statistics also provide that the average age of a SCI is 43 years old, the most common cause are motor vehicle accidents, and the average length of hospital stay is 11 days and rehabilitation length is 34 days.  The statistics also make a distinction in the types of spinal cord injuries.  Our Queens car accident lawyers explain what the difference between an incomplete and a complete spinal cord injury is and how it can effect your claim.

This is an important difference to make too because it can affect everything about your claim and your life moving forward.  This is true with any spinal cord injury case, which is why our experienced Queens car accident lawyers at the COHEN & COHEN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, P.C. provide extra care and attention to these serious cases.  Our law firm has dedicated itself to representing victims and their families who have been seriously injured or wrongfully killed by the negligence of another.  This is especially true of victims injured with spinal cord injuries or other catastrophic injuries.  If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury or SCI, call our law firm to learn how we can help protect your rights to compensation under New York law.

Difference Between an Incomplete and a Complete Spinal Cord Injury 

There is a huge and important difference between an incomplete and a complete spinal cord injury.  This can affect how a person’s life moves forward—or does not.  Thus, the difference can also dictate how your case is handled and resolved, as well as what experts to use and what claims to make.  

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries 

An incomplete spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord which causes a disruption in the messages that are sent through the spinal cord between the brain to the rest of the body.  This damage can disrupt movement, sensation, and other function due to the damage.  A victim with an incomplete spinal cord injury may still be able to maintain some function in his or her body below the injury.  This also means that a person may be able to regain more function with therapy or surgical procedures.

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

A complete spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord which cause a severance.  This means that the brain and the top of the spinal cord are literally cut off from the spinal cord and the rest of the nervous system below the severance.  There is no sensation, movement, or function maintained and it is extremely rare for any to be returned through therapy or surgery.  This is a catastrophic injury which can force a person into a wheelchair or special motorized chair.  

Call Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for Help With Your Case in New York

Victims who have suffered a SCI that is either incomplete or complete should contact our Queens car accident lawyers at COHEN & COHEN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, P.C. to learn how we can help protect their rights to compensation under New York law.  These are very difficult cases which require the help of a lawyer and law firm that has handled them before.  Learn more about how we can help protect your rights to compensation after you or a loved one has suffered spinal cord injuries by calling 800-247-8164 for a free case evaluation or use our convenient and easy-to-use contact us box available here.