Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Our Ohio lawyers are on your side
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of the back. It carries messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. The cord is protected by the bony spine (vertebrae) and by fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that provides a cushion between the nerves within the cord and the hard surface of the spine. Spinal cord injuries do not generally just occur—they are usually caused by the negligence of another third party. Attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm in Cleveland have dedicated our careers to seeking justice and recovering compensation for victims of spinal cord injuries due to medical negligence.
What is a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries disrupt the signals from/to the brain. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates a piece of the bony spine. Such blows often are the result of significant car accidents or truck accidents. Sometimes, they are “freak” accidents that occur during recreational or sporting activities. Usually, the cord isn’t completely severed (a transection). Instead, the cord often is partially torn or is compressed or contused (bruised) when pieces of vertebrae push into the cord’s surface.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. With a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can’t send signals below the level of the injury. As a result, you are paralyzed below the injury. With an incomplete injury, you have some movement and sensation below the injury.
A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. Treatments may include medicines, braces or traction to stabilize the spine, and surgery. Later treatment usually includes medicines and rehabilitation therapy. Mobility aids and assistive devises may help you to get around and do some daily tasks.
How can medical malpractice lead to spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries also can occur during or following back or neck surgery. Doctors performing such surgeries (either neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons) must work very close to the spinal cord. Because the spinal cord is such a critical structure, surgeons doing these operations must be well-trained and extremely careful.
Unfortunately, sometimes surgeons are not careful enough. For example, a surgeon performing back surgery might strike the cord with in instrument, causing bleeding around the cord and swelling within it. Or, a surgeon might unnecessarily cut blood vessels feeding the cord, causing a portion of the cord to die (spinal cord infarction). In other cases, the injury to the cord is not the surgeon’s fault, but the surgeon fails to recognize the problem promptly or to take action immediately to minimize the damage. Generally speaking, the longer a spinal cord injury goes unrecognized, the worse the outcome for the patient. For example, The Eisen Law Firm reached a confidential settlement when a neurosurgeon used the wrong instrument and bruised the patient’s spinal cord that resulted in paraplegia.
At The Eisen Law Firm, we understand spinal cord injuries and paralysis. We will not hesitate to take on at-fault surgeons, even top-notch neurosurgeons who intimidate other attorneys and firms. Our goal in such cases is to obtain justice and to make sure that our clients can afford the absolute best care and all available assistive devices and aids for the remainder of their lives. We have the experience and expertise to handle all aspects of spinal cord injury litigation.
Schedule an appointment with a Cleveland spinal cord injury lawyer today for a free initial consultation to discuss your rights as a victim
You have the right to take action against the medical professional that caused an injury to your spine due to malpractice. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm are here to help. We serve medical negligence victims in Cleveland, Lorain, Columbus, Toledo, Akron and all of Northeast Ohio. Call us today at 216-687-0900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.