Chalmette Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury due to a negligence-based accident or incident caused by another’s wrongdoing, the journey ahead can be incredibly challenging. The sudden shift in daily life and the potential loss of independence require physical and emotional resilience and support. 

Depending on the severity of the injury, tasks you once took for granted may become daunting, if not impossible. Rehabilitation and adaptation often become necessary; this can include ongoing medical care, renovations to one’s home or vehicle to accommodate disability, and PTSD and other psychological counseling. 

At Tonry & Giraud, we aim to provide compassionate legal guidance that helps alleviate some of your burdens, ensuring you have the resources and support necessary to navigate this life-altering experience. Our role is to prepare, advance, and resolve your personal injury claim through a negotiated settlement or courtroom trial to secure maximized compensation for your losses and damages. 

Reserve a free case review with a Chalmette spinal cord injury lawyer by contacting us online or at (504) 470-0738. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are the result of a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae, the bone disks that make up the spine. The damaged vertebrae may crush or sever spinal nerves and tissues, disrupting the electrical signals the brain sends across the spinal cord to different parts of the body. 

Common causes of spinal cord injuries include car, motorcycle, bus, and truck accidents, falls, sports injuries, and acts of violence such as stabbings or gunshots. 

Spinal cord injuries are classified into two main types: complete and incomplete. The affected area of the spine defines their categories. 

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

These injuries involve a total loss of sensation and motor function below the level of the injury. Patients do not have any remaining function or feeling in the affected areas. 

This can lead to conditions such as:

• Paraplegia: Typically affecting the legs and lower half of the body, this paralysis results from injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral areas of the spinal cord.
• Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: This paralysis impacts all four limbs and usually the torso and is caused by injuries to the cervical portion of the spinal cord.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

In these cases, the individual retains some sensation or motor function below the injury site. The extent of function can vary widely based on the severity of the injury. 

The following conditions could result from incomplete injuries:

• Anterior cord syndrome: Loss of motor function and some degree of sensation, preserving some touch and awareness of the body’s position.
• Central cord syndrome: Typically resulting in greater loss of function in the upper limbs compared to the lower limbs.
• Brown-Séquard syndrome: Characterized by loss of motor function and pressure sensation on one side of the body, but pain and temperature sensation loss on the opposite side.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Chalmette due to someone else's mistake, contact Tonry & Giraud today. Call (504) 470-0738 to discuss your situation and we can guide you on how to seek compensation.