An icy sidewalk left untreated. A spill not mopped up. A stairwell without a proper railing. Any number of factors may contribute to slips and falls. As a result of such accidents, people may suffer serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
According to MayoClinic.org, approximately 31% of spinal cord injuries occur due to falls.
Effects of spinal cord injuries
People who suffer spinal cord injuries may experience various signs and symptoms, based on factors such as the location and severity of their injuries. Spinal cord injuries may cause partial or total loss of feeling below the place of the injury along the spinal cord. People may also experience partial or total paralysis.
In addition to the loss of their sensation and movement, people may experience exaggerated reflexes or spasms, intense stringing sensations, difficulty breathing, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
Treatment of spinal cord injuries
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, emergency care of spinal cord injuries may include providing respiratory support and administering steroid medications. People who suffer spinal cord trauma in the neck area often require breathing assistance, and the steroid drug methylprednisolone may help reduce nerve damage resulting from trauma to the spinal cord area. Once their injuries stabilize, people may require other medical treatments and procedures, such as the implantation of neural prosthetic devices or surgery to relieve spinal tissue compression.
When slips and falls caused by dangerous property conditions result in spinal cord injuries, victims may require emergency and ongoing medical treatment and care. Those who experience such injuries due to slips and falls or other such accidents may consider pursuing compensatory damages for their injury-associated losses.
