Best & Anderson, P.A.

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E Newsletter

Volume I, Issue I

When the Unthinkable Happens-Spinal Cord Injuries

Although Christopher Reeve gave national attention to the injury, most of us rarely consider the extraordinary ramifications that would occur if we were to become the victim of a spinal cord injury.

Imagine if you suffered a "complete" (meaning both sides of the body are affected equally and both sides are rendered useless) spinal cord injury. You would have NO function, NO feeling, NO sensation, and NO movement below the site of the injury. You could also suffer bladder or bowel problems, as well as sexual dysfunction and breathing problems. Needless to say, it would dramatically change your life and the lives of your loved ones who would have to care for you.

Why is a spinal cord injury so serious? Because the spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system in the human body. The spinal cord is a "superhighway" of sorts, on which nerve impulses travel from the brain down through the body. It is surrounded by a protective column of bones called "vertebrae." You can suffer injuries to your vertebrae (such as a broken back) that are less serious than a spinal cord injury.

The degree of seriousness of a spinal cord injury usually is related to the place on the spinal cord where the injury occurs--the higher up your back and spinal cord, the more damage you will suffer because everything below the injury will be affected. "Paraplegia" results from an injury to the middle of your spinal column which renders the lower part of your body paralyzed. "Quadriplegia" results in total paralysis of your body and is caused by damage to the cervical portion of the spinal cord located near your neck.

Statistics

More than 450,000 Americans live with a spinal cord injury. Statistically, young males are more likely to suffer such an injury. (In fact, over 80% of spinal cord injuries happen to males between the ages of 16 and 30.) Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year. Many of these injuries are caused by the negligent conduct of others. If you are the victim of a spinal cord injury , there is an 85% chance that you will be alive 10 years after the injury.

Impact

Obviously, the financial impact of a spinal cord injury can be catastrophic. In addition to medical costs that will be incurred over the lifetime of the victim, there will be lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional damage, and pain and suffering. All of these can add up to a considerable amount of money. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else's negligence, contact our firm immediately.

Because plane crashes are so spectacular, they tend to make the evening news. As a result, people often forget how safe air travel is--it's much safer than driving. However, from time to time planes do crash. While passengers in the plane can hardly prevent a crash, they can take some common-sense steps to make sure that they survive any crash that may occur.

Airline safety starts before you leave home. Dress sensibly, preferably in long pants and sturdy shoes. After a crash is no time to find out that the shorts you're wearing do not protect you from flames, or that your sandals do not protect your feet from the glass and metal, or that your clothes are insufficient to protect you from the elements after you exit a crashed plane.

When you take your seat, note the location of the nearest emergency exits in front of you and behind you. Count the number of rows to these exits, and remember the number; this will help you in case the plane fills with smoke.

Plan how you will escape from the plane in the event of a crash. While a plane is crashing is the wrong time to be formulating your escape plan. As part of the plan, think about how you will help any children traveling with you.

Finally, get out of a crashed plane as fast as you can. Leave your luggage and everything else and save yourself. If you have to use an emergency slide, slide feet-first and then clear the bottom of the slide for the next person.