Spinal cord injuries are some of the worst injuries that a person can sustain and in most cases cause the limbs and organs of the body below the area of injury to cease to function completely. This is because the nerves that transport communications between the brain and the rest of the body are normally severed or badly damaged in a spinal cord injury. In rare cases some degree of physical recovery and rehabilitation is attainable but the physical therapy required to regain feeling and movement may take several years.

For the most part the victims of a spinal cord injury must come to grips with their transformed existence and turn to other forms of assistance such as counseling to help them cope both with the devastation of their injury that it’s traumatic impact on the rest of their life.

Spinal cord injuries are usually final, and the immediate results will remain the same. The victim of a spinal cord injury normally transforms not only physically, emotionally and psychologically as well. Paralysis requires assistance for the basic necessities of living, and is very difficult for an adult to adjust to. The mobility we all take for granted is gone and is replaced by dependency, severe grief and frequently depression. Victims of spinal cord injuries typically can no longer work effectively in the career they had prior to the incident and may not be able to work in any capacity at all.

Families of spinal cord victims are personally affected, if not physically then emotionally and psychologically and in many cases financially. The spouse of a spinal cord injury victim may become the sole breadwinner and sole caretaker of any children may have together, as well as taking on a much of the responsibility of caring for the injured spouse. Children’s routine and sense of safety are seriously damaged and young family members may be required to take on responsibilities beyond the scope of their years and abilities.

The financial costs to victims of a spinal cord injury average out to about $1000 each day and financial pressures may limit the educational prospects for their children. On top of it all families must deal with the depression of their loved one and their own sense of loss. Sexual relations will often suffer, and marriages may break apart as a result of the slow erosion of enjoyment of everyday life a spinal injury can cost. Any victim of a spinal injury would do well to discuss their accident with a competent accident lawyer to determine whether they are eligible to file a claim.