Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Spinal Cord Injuries
A person’s central nervous system (CNS) consists of two major elements: the brain and the spinal cord. Brains are the organs that serve as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrates and are protected by being encased people’s craniums, but spinal cords are long, thin bundles of nervous tissue and support cells extending from brainstems to the lumbar regions of people’s backs.
When a person suffers any kind of injury to his or her spinal cord, it can lead to a variety of life-altering consequences. A spinal cord injury (occasionally abbreviated simply as SCI) can result in a victim being unable to maintain employment or care for him or herself, and such individuals also require significant long-term treatment including possible physical and occupational therapy.
Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If you or your loved one sustained a spinal cord injury in the Chicagoland area as the result of another party’s negligence, it is in your best interest to not speak to any insurance company representatives until you have legal representation. Susan E. Loggans & Associates represents clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries all over the greater Cook County area, including Burbank, Calumet City, Chicago, Des Plaines, Berwyn, and several other nearby communities.
Chicago personal injury attorney Susan E. Loggans can fight to get you and your family the compensation you need and deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and other economic and noneconomic damages. Call (312) 201-8600 to have our lawyer review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free initial consultation. Susan E. Loggans & Associates works on a contingency fee basis, which means that our firm does not charge individuals any fees unless they receive monetary awards.
Overview of Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Resources
Susan Loggans Law
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord is a long, thin structure of nervous tissue and support cells that is enclosed within the spinal column of a person’s vertebral column (backbone or spine). A vertebral column usually consists of 33 vertebrae (the small bones forming a person’s spine):
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Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C8)
The eight vertebrae in the highest area of the spinal cord right below the skull.
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Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)
The 12 vertebrae in the middle of the spinal cord from the upper to the middle of a person’s back.
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Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)
The five vertebrae in the lower area of the spinal cord between the rib cage and the pelvis.
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Sacral Vertebrae (S1-S5)
The five fused vertebrae at the base of the spinal cord in a person’s sacrum—the large, triangular bone located in the back part of the pelvis.
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Coccygeal Vertebrae (Co1-Co4)
The four fused vertebrae that make up for the final segment of the vertebral column.
The level of sensory or motor function that exists below the neurological level of a spine injury determines whether it is a complete or incomplete injury. If a person has some sensory or motor function, it is considered an incomplete injury and the ability of the spinal cord to convey messages to or from the brain is not completely lost. A complete spinal cord injury involves a spinal cord being completely severed and/or the person having no sensory or motor function below the point of the injury.
Common spinal cord injuries that can be complete or incomplete include:
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Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)
Damage to the cervical spinal cord causing paralysis of all limbs.
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Paraplegia
Damage to the thoracic spinal cord causing loss of sensory or motor function in the lower half of the body.
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Triplegia
A spinal cord injury causing paralysis of three limbs, usually one arm and both legs although both arms and one leg is possible.
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Cauda Equina Syndrome
Damage to the nerves below the first and second lumbar nerves causing partial or complete loss of movement and sensation to the legs, bladder, and sexual organs.
Other incomplete spinal cord injuries include:
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Anterior Cord Syndrome
Also known as Beck’s syndrome or anterior spinal artery syndrome, results from injury to the motor and sensory pathways in the anterior (front) parts of the spinal cord. Causes loss of motor function, pain sensation, and temperature sensation below the point of the injury, although limited sense of touch can remain.
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Brown-Séquard Syndrome
Caused by injury to one side of the spinal cord. Causes loss of motor function on the same side of the body as the injury while the opposite side can lose temperature and pain sensations.
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Central Cord Syndrome
Caused by damage to the cervical spinal cord (the center of the spinal cord). Causes paralysis and/or loss of fine control of movements in the arms and hands, with less impairment of leg movements.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Unfortunately for victims, spinal cord injuries can occur in just about any setting in or around the City of Chicago. Generally, some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in Illinois include, but are not limited to:
Chicago Spinal Cord Injury Resources
Facing Disability: Coping with Spinal Cord Injury
The Hill Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation and the mission of facingdisability.com is “to connect families dealing with spinal cord injuries with the life experiences of others, and to provide medical information and resources.” You can watch expert videos that give you clear and concise answers to your most important questions as well as personal experience videos about spinal cord injury. You can also read a blog, find information about peer counseling, and access several other resources.
Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCIA) of Illinois
SCIA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing information and support resources for people paralyzed by trauma and medical conditions, family members, and health care and related professionals in the spinal cord injury community. Use this website to access various types of literature and factsheets. You can also learn more about spinal cord injury complications and find information about different products and services.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Famous for his film portrayal of Superman, Christopher Reeve became a quadriplegic after he was thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in May 1995. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (frequently referred to as simply The Reeve Foundation) is an organization “dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.” Visit this website to find information about spinal cord injury research, living with paralysis, and ways to get support.
Susan Loggans Law
Did you or your loved one recently suffer a spinal cord injury as the result of another party’s negligence? You will want to retain legal counsel right away. Contact Susan E. Loggans & Associates as soon as possible.
Susan E. Loggans is an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Chicago who helps people in Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Oak Forest, Park Ridge, and many surrounding areas of northern Illinois. You can have her provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (312) 201-8600 or complete an online contact form below to receive a free, no-obligation consultation.