A motor vehicle crash can have devastating effects on the human body. One part of the body that’s susceptible to catastrophic damage is the spinal cord. Damage to the spinal cord can impact the rest of the body in a variety of ways.
While there are many secondary conditions that can result from a spinal cord injury, breathing trouble, and paralysis are among the most common.
1. Breathing trouble
Injuries to the cervical spine, which is in the neck, can affect the entire body below the level of the injury. This includes the diaphragm. When this is affected, the victim may not be able to breathe on their own. If they don’t receive prompt medical care, this can be a fatal injury. With proper care, it’s often possible for them to live, but they may require mechanical ventilation to breathe for them.
2. Paralysis
Paralysis is another possibility that comes with a spinal cord injury. The area of the body that’s affected by the injury always occurs below the injury. Limbs below the place on the spine that’s damaged can become paralyzed. In some cases, the person may have partial movement and feeling in the affected areas.
The cost of medical care is considerable after a spinal cord injury. This is often compounded by the loss or reduction of income that occurs because of the injury. Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim from the party whose negligence led to the crash. This must be done before the statute of limitations expires, so swift action is critical in these cases.