Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Serving Biloxi and all of Mississippi
Current estimates put the number of individuals in this country experiencing spinal cord injury (SCI) each year at 10,000. SCI includes any spinal cord damage which results in loss of function or mobility. Sudden trauma or violence or degenerative disease can lead to SCI, resulting in loss of sensation and/or movement. Auto accidents currently the leading cause of SCI in this country.
SCI is either complete or incomplete. "Complete" means that the victim is completely without sensation and movement, on both sides of the body, below the level of the spinal cord injury. "Incomplete" means that some degree of sensation and/or movement remains.
Medical professionals define SCI's with reference to the affected area of the spine. The vertebrae closested to the injury is used to identify the injury. For example, an injury to the fifth cervical (neck) vertebrae is called C-5, while the first thoracic (upper back) is T-1 and the third lumbar (lower back) is L-3.
The higher the injury on the spine the greater the potential for injury. A neck injury can lead to quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs), while thoracic and lumbar injuries may only cause paraplegia (paralysis of the legs). The severity of the injury determines the level of dysfunction, whether the injury is complete or incomplete.
Another effect of SCI, especially in the initial weeks and months following injury, is swelling of the spinal cord. This may lead to loss of mobility and sensation in much the same way as the physical damage to the spinal cord can, except that once the swelling subsides, those symptoms will disappear.
There is currently no "cure" for SCI. Current treatment includes stabilizing any damage to the vertebrae, preventing movement in the injured area, reducing swelling, and physical therapy. The most promising potential areas of development for treatment are those related to stem cells.
If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, call Reeves & Mestayer, PLLC at 228-374-5151 or toll free 1-877-377-5152 or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
