Most of the time, we don’t think too much about our spine. Yes, we may complain when we get a touch of ‘backache’, but very few actually stop to contemplate how important the spine is to our everyday lives. It gives us the flexibility to bend and stretch, move, walk, run and carry out all those everyday tasks. We take our spine for granted. As for that mysterious bundle of nerves called the ‘spinal cord’ – most people know it’s there but really don’t comprehend how vital it is. Or how easy it is to damage the spinal cord. Even a small amount of damage can have devastating and lifelong consequences.

Spinal injuries are usually the result of road traffic accidents, sporting injuries or falls. Even a small slip or trip could result in permanent damage to the spine, having lingering and debilitating consequences long after the bruises have faded. For those suffering from severe spinal trauma the effects can be much more serious. The worst case scenario is total loss of movement or control over the body as the neurological connection between the body’s control centre – the brain – and the muscles, limbs and nerves throughout the rest of the body is severed.

Depending on where the spinal damage occurs, varying degrees of mobility loss can affect the body – from total loss through to the loss of the use of the legs. In most situations, severe spinal injury will at the very least confine the victim to a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. Whilst some feeling and even minimal movement may eventually return, the damage to the nerve bundle of the spinal cord is permanent and, to date, cannot be repaired. So what is life like after a spinal injury?

A New Outlook on Life

Surprisingly, most people actually cope quite well in the long term. But they cannot cope without assistance and specialist care, which may be required for the rest of their lives. As a result, spinal injury victims learn to adapt their previous lifestyle to incorporate their disability. This may mean structural changes to their home, an alternative approach to everyday tasks such as getting around, driving and what kind of work they do. But initially, facing up to a new way of life that is dictated by a disability can be a devastating and deeply disturbing time for victims. So it isn’t just practical care that they need – they also need emotional support to come to terms with their situation.

The last thing that anyone recovering from a serious spinal injury needs is the added worry of financial concerns, so for victims whose injury is the result of someone else’s actions or negligence, compensation is a priority. Not only does this help them to adapt to a new lifestyle with specialist equipment, home conversions where necessary and to get the medical care that they need, but it also allows them a bit of ‘breathing space’ to come to terms with their situation. For spinal injury victims, having a good support network in place is essential. That includes specialist solicitors who have a detailed understanding of the challenges faced by spinal injury victims, their needs both in the short and long term and a more hand’s on approach to a client/solicitor relationship. With the right help and support, spinal injury victims can go on to lead successful, ‘normal’ lives.

Author Bio: Serious injury lawyers with unrivalled expertise. Specialist services in accident claims for spinal injury, brain injury, head injury and motorcycle accidents from the UK’s leading specialised injury law practice. Nigel Glover Email: ng@seriouslaw.co.uk Tel:0800 61 66 81 URL: http://www.accidentclaimlaw.co.uk/

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