What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

In the unfortunate event of a spinal cord injury, follow these steps for a hopeful future.
  1. Seek help sooner than later.
    Spinal cord injuries are serious. Long-term outcomes can be improved with early and effective medical attention and treatment. Thankfully, advances in medical technologies assist in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries. Multi-disciplinary teams of specialists are available to help people recover and regain independence. If you require medical help, don’t hesitate to call 911 and request an ambulance.
  2. Collect and preserve information about how the spinal cord injury occurred.
    Take photos and make detailed notes of symptoms over time. This type of injury can present itself suddenly or over time, which is why it’s important to regularly document feelings. If another person witnessed the cause of the spinal cord injury, request their contact information.
  3. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
    Our team at Legate Injury Lawyers knows all the resources available to help people navigate the road to recovery following a spinal cord injury. While you are focusing on recovering, our lawyers can start building your case. Consultations are free.
We’re here to listen

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

In the unfortunate event of a spinal cord injury, follow these steps for a hopeful future.
  1. Seek help sooner than later.
    Spinal cord injuries are serious. Long-term outcomes can be improved with early and effective medical attention and treatment. Thankfully, advances in medical technologies assist in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries. Multi-disciplinary teams of specialists are available to help people recover and regain independence. If you require medical help, don’t hesitate to call 911 and request an ambulance.
  2. Collect and preserve information about how the spinal cord injury occurred.
    Take photos and make detailed notes of symptoms over time. This type of injury can present itself suddenly or over time, which is why it’s important to regularly document feelings. If another person witnessed the cause of the spinal cord injury, request their contact information.
  3. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
    Our team at Legate Injury Lawyers knows all the resources available to help people navigate the road to recovery following a spinal cord injury. While you are focusing on recovering, our lawyers can start building your case. Consultations are free.
We’re here to listen

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can result from trauma or from disease or degenerative conditions. You may have sustained a blow to the head, neck, or back in an accident, or suffered compressed disks or vertebrae. Medical conditions such as infections, abscesses, and tumors can also cause spinal cord injuries. Some common causes of spinal cord injuries in Ontario include, but are not limited to

  • Motor vehicle collisions and motorcycle accidents
  • Assaults and acts of violence (fights, gunshots, stab or knife wounds)
  • Sports injuries/recreational injuries
    • ATV and snowmobile accidents
    • Sledding and tobogganing accidents
    • Diving and swimming injuries
    • Boating injuries
    • Biking and cycling accidents
    • Trampoline mishaps
  • Incidents on schoolyards and playground equipment
  • Diseases (cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.)
  • Surgeries and surgical complications
  • Infections and abscesses
  • Birth injuries
  • Slips and falls

Typical Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

Most spinal cord injuries that Legate Injury Lawyers’ clients are recovering from are quite serious. Symptoms vary from person to person and over time. They may include the following.

Initial complications:

  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Lost sensation
  • Muscle spasms
  • Tingling
  • Incontinence
  • Paralysis

Long-term complications:

  • Lost function in arms, legs, bowels, and/or bladder
  • Immobility and dependence on mobility aids (e.g., wheelchair)
  • Spasticity
  • Lung, heart, and breathing problems
  • Chronic pain
  • Causa equina syndrome
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Lost strength
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Pneumonia
  • Bedsores and pressure injuries
  • Emotional trauma (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD)