What you need to know about spinal cord injuries

There are many kinds of injuries that can result from a serious car or truck accident: broken bones, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, head trauma, PTSD and more. One kind of especially devastating injury that can result after an automobile crash is damage to the spine. The spinal column, or vertebrae, consists of 24 separate bones including the fused bones of the coccyx and the sacrum.

The vertebral column contains and protects the spinal cord, a bundle of nerve tissue and support cells that is integral to the central nervous system. Damage to the spinal column or the spinal cord can cause major problems for accident victims. Since auto accidents are a major cause of spinal cord injuries, victims of serious crashes need to know what to expect if they suffer such an injury.

Complete vs. partial spinal cord injuries

Because the spinal cord is comprised of nerves, when it is damaged permanent disability or paralysis can occur. Victims can also lose sensation below the site of injury, and be unable to move their limbs. The location of the spinal cord injury affects the type of symptoms. Paralysis to most of the body including the arms and legs is known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia, and victims may require a respirator to breathe. Paralysis to the lower part of the body is known as paraplegia.

In addition to location, the severity of the injury will also affect the symptoms. If the spinal cord is seriously damaged, it can result in a complete spinal cord injury which leads to a near-total loss of motor function. The victim often also loses feeling below the area of injury.

On the other hand, in a partial spinal cord injury – also known as an incomplete injury – some motor function and sensation below the injury site may be preserved. It all depends on how much of the spinal cord was damaged and where the damage occurred.

The distinction between complete and partial spinal cord injuries is significant. Victims who experience partial spinal cord injuries may be able to experience significant recovery, while those who experience a complete spinal cord injury cannot. Even with a partial spinal cord injury, recovery can involve intensive, long-term physical therapy.

Getting help after your motor vehicle accident

If you’ve been injured in a serious car or truck accident – especially if you have suffered a terrible injury like spinal cord damage – then consider hiring an experienced attorney to fight for your rights. The skilled lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm have offices in Draper, Bountiful, and can work with you to help you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Summary of Elevator Injury Accident Near 40 East and 100 South

On Monday, March 8, 2010, a brick mason fell 40 feet from scaffolding inside an unfinished elevator shaft at the City Creek project located in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. According to a Salt Lake Tribune news report, the nearest access point to the construction worker was about 20 feet above from where he had landed from his fall. It took emergency crews 45 minutes to hoist the injured victim through a rope-and-pulley system to ground level for medical treatment. The victim was taken to a local hospital with massive trauma over his entire body. He is currently listed in critical condition with possible brain trauma he sustained in this Utah accident. Investigators are still looking into what caused this man to fall from his work site and whether or not the City Creek project supervisors had implemented proper safety protocols.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family of this tragic Utah accident. The extent of the victim’s internal injuries has not yet been released. I hope that the injuries he sustained are not catastrophic and that he will heal fully and quickly.

Fault and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, officials are still investigating the responsibility and possible fault of the company that the City Creak development project is under or whether the victim is responsible for this tragic accident. Since the project is state funded, the State of Utah can also be held responsible. As Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys, we remind the victim and his family that this accident case is an intricate one with many questions and many insurance companies to coordinate and work with. We remind the victim that even the time frame to file a claim can be reduced to a year due to the Utah statute of limitation when a government entity is considered a liable party. We highly recommend that the victim speak to an attorney as soon as possible to investigate whether City Creek safety managers are responsible, if OSHA safety standards were met and whether there were proper safeguards put in place at the spot where the victim fell like safety harnesses or restraints.

How to Protect Yourself

In such complex cases such as this one, an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable accident attorney will have experience working with Worker’s Compensation Fund, the State of Utah and understands how health insurance policies applies to cases involving private companies, government entities and personal injury.

The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, will provide a free consultation to the injured victims and their family members. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and legal options please feel free to give our experienced attorneys a call at 801.506.0800.

A fourteen year-old junior high school student was hospitalized in critical condition early this Monday morning of February 8, 2010, after being hit by a car. According to the report by Deseret News, the pedestrian verses car accident occurred around 7 a.m. at the intersection on 2700 South and 8500 West. Witnesses state the young girl was walking with other students who were on their way to Brockbank Junior High School in Magna when the accident occurred. Unified Fired Authority Captain Clint Smith, who was among the responding police officers, confirmed that the young girl was walking in the designated crosswalk when she was hit by the distracted driver. He also confirmed that the young girl sustained severe head injuries and was flown to the University of Utah Hospital. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

My thoughts and prayers go out to this young girl that she make a speedy and full recovery so she can get back to the care free life of being a child. My condolences go out the her family, friends and loved ones as they go through this difficult time with her.

Pedestrians are more likely to be Critically Injured in an Accident

An impact with a two ton vehicle going at a high rate of speed will obviously cause significant damage to the much more vulnerable human body. Tragically, often times pedestrian verses motor vehicle accidents cause major injury such as traumatic brain injury that could result in irreversible brain damage or spinal cord injury that could result in paralysis. Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in the death of the pedestrian.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Statistically, males are more likely to be involved in a pedestrian verses motor vehicle accident than females. Consistently, 69% of pedestrian fatalities each year are males. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the following statistics in 2005:

• 20% of pedestrian deaths were of males
• 45% of pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident deaths occurred between 6pm and midnight
• The vast majority of fatal pedestrian vs. car collisions occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

With this information, it may be wise to educate our young men to engage in weekend activities indoors and away from intersections in the dark hours of the night. Visibility is significantly impeded in dark. Speeding cars or distracted motorists will have an increasingly difficult time seeing young men skateboarding or walking around at night.

Liability Issues Involved

In this tragic pedestrian verses automobile accident, there are several questions to address to confirm the cause and liability of the accident. While it has been confirmed the victim of the car crash was crossing in a designated crosswalk, was the crosswalk a marked or unmarked intersection. If the answer is yes, the driver will most likely be cited for failing to yield to the right of way to the pedestrian. What had distracted the 21 year-old driver of the vehicle that hit the junior high student? Was she talking on her cell phone, speeding or driving recklessly at the time of the collision?

An experienced Salt Lake personal injury attorney will take the necessary steps to find the answers to these questions and will preserve the evidence needed to demonstrate the responsibly of the at-fault driver.

If you or someone you love has suffered through a Utah pedestrian injury and you feel it is the result of the negligence of another, we urge you to contact the Christensen Law Firm online or call us at 801.506.0800 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

Enhance Your Medical Treatment with Physiatry

Personal injuries resulting from automobile, bicycle and motorcycle accidents often times affect various parts of the human body, necessitating different forms of medical treatment and specialization. Physiatrists coordinate multiple areas of medicine for an all-inclusive approach to treating a patient who has sustained numerous injuries.

Case Study

In 2007, when my client Maria was involved in a pedestrian verses automobile accident in Utah, she sustained spinal cord injuries, a broken leg and head trauma. Clearly, Maria had a long road to recovery ahead of her. Her physiatrist coordinated the medical treatment to enhance and build upon each other with the goal of bringing Maria to her maximum medical recovery stage in the most efficient and thorough manner.

Consequently, Maria was able to treat with an orthopedic surgeon to repair her broken femur and a physical therapist to restore strength and mobility. Maria then treated with a chiropractor and massage therapist for her neck and back pain. Finally, the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that Maria suffered from her minor head injury were addressed by a licensed psychologist.

What is Physiatry?

• Physiatry, commonly referred to as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is a specific area of medicine that takes on a comprehensive approach to solving neurological and musculoskeletal problems within the human body using less invasive procedures than surgery.

• Physiatrists are medical doctors who aim to find the source of pain symptoms their patients have and treat the ailment holistically until the patient has reached his/her optimal functional capability.

• Physiatrists emphasize the importance of addressing all the intricate parts associated with the illness, disability or injury in order to restore one back to his/her best possible health.

Comprehensive Plan of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physiatrists take on a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients that have a broad range of personal injuries and medical ailments. These conditions include:

• Chronic Pain Management
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Amputation
• Sports Injuries
• Accident Injuries
• Stroke
• Musculoskeletal Pain syndromes
• Nerve Pain
• Neck and Back Pain
• Psychological Issues

According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the complete plan of physiatry may include a large range of medical doctors and medical professionals. To give you an idea of how broad these health professionals are, following are a few that victims of personal injury accidents commonly treat with:

• Physiologists
• Physical Therapists
• Chiropractor
• Massage Therapist
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Therapist

Your Health is the Priority of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC

There are many Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys that promise fast settlements and quick cash into your pocket. However, this is not always wise or best for your interests if you have been injured in an accident. Your health is the number one issue to address when you have sustained injuries. The experienced attorneys at The Christensen Law Firm are committed to ensuring that your medical treatment is complete, meaning that you are brought back to the best possible health you can be following a personal injury accident. We will ensure you medical treatment is covered by the at fault party’s insurance and that you receive a full and just settlement for your damages and suffering. For a Free, NO obligation consultation by one of our experienced Utah personal injury attorneys, please call 801.506.0800.

Traffic accidents can result in many serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and head trauma. Damage done to the spinal cord can be an especially harmful injury with many long-term effects. The spinal cord consists of a large network of nerve tissue that is the core of the central nervous system. Damaging the spinal cord or vertebral column, the part of the body which protects the spinal cord, can be devastating for accident victims. Spinal cord injury can easily be incurred from Utah car accidents and it is helpful to know some basic information about such a substantial injury.

Damage to the nerves of the spinal cord can lead to permanent disability or paralysis. The location of the spinal cord injury often dictates the affects. Some injuries may lead to loss of mobility in the arms and legs known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia. Victims may also suffer paralysis of the lower half of their body, which is known as paraplegia.

Victims of spinal cord injury can suffer different severities of symptoms, depending on the damage incurred to the nerves. Complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is severely damaged and usually leads to the total loss of feeling below the area of injury. Less severe damage can lead to partial spinal cord injury, in which the victim loses some, but not all, motor function and sensation below the injury.

For more information on spinal cord injuries, please visit the Christensen Law Firm’s online library. If you have been in a Utah traffic accident and suffered from a spinal cord or other personal injury, you are entitled to receive fair and just compensation. The attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm provide expert representation to Utah accident victims, giving personal attention to their clients and individual cases. For a free consultation on your legal rights, please contact us at 801.506.0800.

Traffic accidents often lead to back injuries, which can be especially tedious since they impair the mobility of your entire body. Even the slightest back injury can have you down-and-out for days at a time. If you have injured your back, make sure you seek medical attention immediately. Because back injuries affect your entire body, you may want to seek a second opinion so you do not rush into unnecessary surgery or leave the issue untreated, thereby risking elongated consequences.

While minor back injuries can be cured with rest, medical attention is often needed to ensure full recovery. Physical therapy, chiropractic care and epidural injections are all beneficial treatments to consider after an accident. However, despite conservative treatment measures, sometimes back surgery is inevitable. Here is a list of different procedures that you may want to discuss with your doctor.

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