Home > Blog > Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Posted by: at 8:06 PM on December 19th, 2016

Spinal cord injuries affect thousands of Americans every year, and they are among the most expensive and difficult injuries to treat. Spinal cord injuries are devastating to not only the victim, who experiences unbearable pain and disability, but their entire families who must cope with the emotional and financial burden. 

These injuries are not only emotionally and physically devastating, but also cause major financial harm. 

  • Overall, about five in 100,000 Americans live with a spinal cord injury.
  • Spinal cord injuries in elderly individuals are more likely to be fatal than those suffered by younger people.
  • Falls cause approximately 41 percent of all spinal cord injuries.  Motor vehicle accidents cause another 35.5 percent of injuries.
  • The estimated total costs for emergency room treatment for spinal cord injuries is over $1 billion annually according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins.
  • The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that individual care and rehabilitation costs for a spinal cord injury range from $1 million to $5 million over the course of an injured person’s lifetime.

Although the rate of spinal cord injuries for people ages 18-64 have fallen in recent years, the rate of injuries for people ages 65 and older have increased.  Injuries caused by falling rose significantly for seniors, indicating that an emphasis on fall prevention and protection for older Americans may be an important step toward protecting seniors from serious injury or death.

If you or a loved one have been injured, call our offices.   For over 40 years, we have helped people across Wisconsin get the compensation they deserve.  With personalized attention and unparalleled experience, let us help you in your time of need.