There are two main types of spinal cord injuries
– complete and incomplete. Complete means there is no function at all below the level of the area of injury – no sensation or movement. This injury affects both sides of the body. Complete spinal cord injury can occur at any level of the body. Depending on the location of the injury, this can mean paralysis from the waist down or the neck down. Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow some function below the level of injury. This can mean more movement in one limb, feeling in parts of the body, or functionality on one side but not the other. Both forms of injury are typically permanent. Spinal cord injuries occur as the result of spine or neck compression during falls, sports injuries, diving accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and acts of violence that pierce the spinal cord. Both of these injuries result in the victim needing lifelong care and assistance to survive. Depending on the level of injury, victims may not be able to walk, eat, talk, or even breathe on their own. They may have to use wheelchairs for the rest of their lives, unable to return to work. A spinal cord injury can eventually be fatal due to respiration issues or infections. Spinal cord injuries are devastating in nature, and such incidents require the representation of legal experts who fully understand their ramifications.