Surprisingly, falls have now overtaken car accidents as the number one cause of spinal cord injuries. And, the average age for a spinal cord injury victim has risen by a decade to age 51. Most researchers believe there is a combination of factors at play in these new findings: (1) older Americans are more active than ever; (2) better safety protection in the form of seat belts and airbags; and (3) the increased age of the general population.
While the most common cause and the average age for a spinal cord injury have changed, one thing remains constant: spinal cord injuries exact a devastating toll on the victim and the entire familiy. And the burdens are not just the obvious physical limitations but also financial and emotional costs. From 2007 to 2009, just a two year period, the cost of emergency room charges for spinal cord injuries in the U.S. totaled $1.6 billion. And emergency room costs for victims and their families is just the beginning. Spinal cord injury victims require a lifetime of care and the cost of that care can range from $1million to $5 million, according to The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
Emotionally, the change in lifestyle and limitations can understandably lead to depression and anger for the victim and family members. Economic difficulties associated with the tremendous medical care and the loss of a wage earner for the family can cause anxiety and fear.
While litigation can not heal the injury, it can accomplish several goals: ensure the victim has enough money to receive quality medical care and assistance for the rest of their life, replace lost wages to provide financial security for the family, pay for any necessary modifications to the home so that the victim can remain with the family instead of at a facility, etc.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a spinal cord injury and would like to discuss your case with one of our award-winning lawyers, please complete this online form or call us anytime of day at 615-742-4880 or toll-free at 866-812-8787 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We handle all spinal cord injury cases on a contingency basis so we only get paid if we recover money for you.