Spinal injuries can cost a veritable fortune to treat. Unfortunately, they are common in car accidents. According to MayoClinic, car and motorcycle crashes account for more than 35 percent of new spinal injuries.
There are several types of spinal cord injuries, and they range in severity. Some become progressively worse over time. This is why your top priority after any crash is to seek medical help – even if you do not notice immediate symptoms.
You should never let the cost of health care prevent you from seeking medical attention. If the crash was another driver’s fault, then you may be entitled to compensation to pay for your medical expenses. Until then, your accident attorney can help you arrange a reasonable payment plan with the treating physician or facility.
If you were injured in a crash that you did not cause, contact Morris Bart, LLC. An Alexandria accident attorney can evaluate your wreck, talk to witnesses and determine if you may have grounds for a claim.
Here are three reasons why spinal cord injuries are expensive to treat:
They Require Emergency Medical Attention
Most spinal cord injuries from car accidents require emergency medical treatment. A serious spinal cord injury may impact several internal bodily functions, so the initial treatment may be complex and require several specialized physicians.
Unfortunately, trauma care in the United States can be extremely expensive, and doctors may require several hours to treat a spinal cord injury. This could mean that your trauma bill alone reaches thousands of dollars.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
They May Require Specialized Surgery
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, doctors may elect to perform surgery on patients with spinal cord injuries in order to prevent further damage. This is likely if a herniated disc, blood clot or lesion is compressing the spinal cord. Although surgery might not reverse damage to the spinal cord, it could stabilize the spine and prevent future deformity or pain.
Patients Often Need Ongoing Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
Many people who sustain spinal cord injuries have several medical complications and may require extensive rehabilitation or ongoing care. Some patients develop ulcers, thrombosis and pneumonia, which can increase the length of hospital stays and require expensive drugs and treatment from more medical specialists.
A serious spinal injury can confine victims to wheelchairs. Some patients have to make structural changes to their homes, or employ a full-time nurse or caregiver. These can be exorbitantly expensive.
If your spinal injury was the result of another driver’s negligence, then you should not have to pay for these costs out of your own pocket. You may be able to recover compensation via a civil claim.
If the crash happened in Louisiana, contact an Alexandria accident lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 800-537-8185.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
