The accident that injured your loved one’s back was probably one of the most devastating events in your life. You and your family may have kept vigil in the hospital for days or weeks waiting to hear the doctor’s prognosis.
The health problem most associated with spinal cord injury is paralysis. Depending on the area of the spine affected, a victim may lose the use of both legs. However, more than half of those who suffer spinal cord injuries endure partial or total paralysis of all limbs and the torso. A spinal cord injury carries many uncertainties, but doctors probably warned you of some of the things you might expect.
Complications are common
In addition to paralysis – and sometimes because of it – victims of accidents that cause spinal cord injuries may spend the rest of their lives fighting various complications. It may not be easy for you to think of your loved one suffering any more than he or she already is, and so you will likely do whatever it takes to prevent the following complications:
- Chronic pain
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
- Bladder and bowel failure
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Pressure ulcers
- Cardiovascular disease
Many of these complications occur because the body is unable to move normally and remains in one position for prolonged periods of time. For example, if your loved one is unable to breathe deeply or cough forcefully, fluids may collect in the lungs causing pneumonia. While pneumonia is the most frequent complication for those with spinal cord injuries, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death.
Your loved one deserves the best care possible
The lifetime cost of caring for a victim of a spinal cord injury may cost millions of dollars. Depending on the severity of the injury and the age and overall health of your loved one at the time of the accident, he or she may require expensive medications and equipment, frequent doctor visits and hospitalizations, in-home nursing care, and physical therapy. If your loved one is also on a ventilator because of the injuries, the cost of care may be higher.
You and your loved one have a lot to worry about. Money for adequate care should not be one of your worries. Contacting a personal injury attorney will provide you with information about the options available for pursuing possible compensation from those responsible for the accident that caused your loved one’s injuries. Financial recovery can ensure that your loved one will receive the best possible care.