Spinal Cord Injuries Information Center

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Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Cord Injuries

Q: What is a spinal cord injury?

A: A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is traumatic injury to the spinal cord resulting in a loss of function, such as mobility and sensation, below the level of injury. The part of the spine that is injured and the severity of the injury will dictate how much function is lost. Most spinal cord injuries do not result in a severance of the spinal cord, but in a fracture of the vertebrae that compresses the cord, causing injury.

Q: What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?

A: The most common cause of a spinal cord injury is a motor vehicle accident. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include deliberate acts of violence (such as a stabbing or shooting), falls and sports-related injuries.

Q: Who is at the highest risk for a spinal cord injury?

A: Of the 10,000-12,000 spinal cord injuries that occur in the United States every year, more than 80 percent of the injuries are suffered by young men between the ages of 16 and 30.

If you have questions about pursuing a spinal cord injury case, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney for straightforward solutions that will work for you.

Fighting for Those Injured in a Spinal Cord or Paralysis Accident

For people suffering a spinal cord injury, they must adjust to life with a serious and permanent disability. The continuing and intense medical problems associated with quadriplegics and paraplegics are vast and expensive. At the McClellan Law Firm, we use our team approach and aggressive trial skills to help people get the monetary damages that they need to cope with after effects of a serious spinal cord injury. We understand the financial needs of people suffering from a serious accident, and pursue every possible avenue of compensation available to help people recover the maximum amount of monetary compensation possible. We are known throughout the legal community as a San Diego law firm that will do what is legally necessary to get results for our clients - a reputation that allows us to achieve the results that our clients deserve. For more information about your case, contact our office in San Diego, California, for a free consultation today.

Spinal Cord Injuries - An Overview

A spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to an injury to the spinal cord resulting in varying degrees of loss of function and paralysis, depending on which part of the spine was injured and the severity of the injury. The injury can occur from a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, or from illness or disease. Over 250,000 people in the United States currently live with a spinal cord injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, there are legal options available to you. An experienced attorney from The McClellan Law Firm in San Diego, California can speak with you about your rights and options for pursuing a case against those responsible for your spinal cord injury.

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to another person's negligent acts, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. The amount of compensation will depend on the individual circumstances of your case and your state's laws.

Treatment Options for Spinal Cord Injuries

The cost of treating and caring for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the US tops over $4 billion ever year. For the thousands of Americans living with spinal cord injuries, current treatment options focus on helping them learn to live with their disabilities and become as independent as their injuries allow.

The Anatomy of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are serious and it may not be obvious that someone has a spinal cord injury. The treatment immediately given a person with one of these injuries is critical to limiting the amounting of harm done and preventing secondary injuries from occurring.

Causes of Action for a Spinal Cord Injury

Victims of spinal cord injuries caused by another party's negligence have legal options available to them to seek compensation for their injuries. The type of lawsuit and the amount of compensation that can be sought will depend on the circumstances of the specific case and state law. Some of the types of lawsuits that may be pursued include actions for personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability and premises liability.

Spinal Cord Injuries Resource Links

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)
Resource for individuals with spinal cord injuries, offering information on current policy initiatives, adjusting to spinal cord injuries, links to state-specific resources and other information.

Spinal Cord Injury and Disease Resources
Gateway resource offering links to other sites with general information on spinal cord injuries, the latest research and treatment options, support and chat groups, reading lists, fact sheets and more.

Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
Web site maintained by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation providing information on research initiatives, survivor stories, outreach opportunities and other tools for those living with or caring for a person with a spinal cord injury.

Craig Hospital
The Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado is renowned for its treatment and rehabilitation of people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The web site has information on both types of injuries, current treatment options and the hospital's programs and services.

Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
The Miller Project is ran by the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami and is the world's largest spinal cord research center. The site provides information on the project's research.

The McClellan Law Firm
1144 State Street
San Diego, California 92101
Tel: 619.231.0505
Fax: 619.544.0540
E-Mail the Firm

San Diego Business Litigation Lawyers | San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers | San Diego Auto Accident Attorneys
Telephone: 619.231.0505 | Fax: 619.544.0540

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"This website's mission is to provide comprehensive education about all aspects of personal injury, product liability, business litigation, car accidents and brain injury. Some of our most popular topics in San Diego are auto defects, vehicle rollovers, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, employment law, and insurance law."

The Southern California personal injury and business litigation attorneys at the McClellan Law Firm serve clients in San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, Eastlake, Bonita, Lemon Grove, La Mesa, El Cajon, Mission Valley, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, La Jolla, Clairmont, UTC, University City, Miramar, Poway, Julian, San Marcos, Escondido, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff, Oceanside, Lucida, Little Italy, Lakeside, Alpine, Coronado, Vista, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Bernardo, Santee, Valley Center, Imperial Beach, Scripps Ranch, Temecula, Murrieta, Spring Valley, San Ysidro, San Diego County, East County, and throughout the state of California. We also accept attorney referrals and co-counsel arrangements in complex personal injury litigation throughout the United States.