California Spine Injury Lawyer
Robert G. Schock is a California spine injury attorney who has a thorough understanding of all the issues relevant to a successful spinal cord injury (SCI) case, including the causes of SCI, symptoms, treatments, and the associated costs to be considered in an award of damages. Robert G. Schock's knowledge of all aspects of a spinal cord injury case, from the initial cause of the injury to the costs over a lifetime of long-term care, has resulted in many successful verdicts and settlements for his clients. For assistance with a spinal cord injury case in Northern California, including Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Robert G. Schock today.
Causes of SCI
Spinal cord injuries generally occur when the spinal cord is compressed or when the blood supply of the spinal cord is cut off due to a breaking vertebrae or pressure on the spinal cord. "Subluxation," which occurs when the vertebrae slip on each other and press on the spinal cord, can also cause SCI. When the spinal cord is injured and nerves are damaged, the nerves are unable to regenerate. This is why many SCI result in permanent paralysis. SCI can either be complete, paralyzing the body completely below the site of injury, or partial.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of partial and complete SCI in the United States include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Automobile, trucking, and motorcycle accidents cause more than 40 per cent of spinal cord injuries each year. Persons injured in motor vehicle accidents may be able to recover damages if the accident was caused by someone else's negligence, including driver negligence, known dangerous road conditions, or defective products.
- Violence: Acts of violence, including battery, gun shot wounds, knife wounds, nursing home violence, and other acts, account for 15 per cent of spinal cord injuries each year.
- Falls: Falls, including falls from heights and trips or slips and falls, cause about 12 percent of spinal cord injuries and are the most frequent cause of spinal cord injuries for people over age 65. Plaintiffs may often recover damages for injuries caused by a fall due to the negligence of a landowner or building owner, such as failure to warn of a known dangerous condition or failure to maintain a property,
- Sports Injuries: Athletic injuries, including impact sports such as football or diving in shallow water, account for about eight percent of spinal cord injuries.
In addition, doctors, such as surgeons, may also cause or contribute to SCI through negligent operations, birth injuries, or other trauma to the spine; or they may fail to diagnose a disease or illness, including cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, or spinal cord inflammation, which may lead to SCI.
Contact a California Spinal Injury Attorney Today
No matter what the cause, if you have suffered SCI because of anyone else's negligence or intentional act, you may be able to recover damages, including the costs of related bills, loss of wages, cost of future care, and any mental suffering. Contact the Law Offices of Robert G. Schock to set up a free initial evaluation with a California spinal injury lawyer to see if you may have a cause of action.
