One of the more common injuries in personal injury claims is an injury to the spine. Spinal injuries can arise from a wide variety of mechanisms – the traditional “whiplash” injury in a rear-end collision accident, being struck with a falling object on a construction site accident, falls from unsafe ladders and scaffolding, and even common trip and fall accidents.
These types of accidents can result in all manner of injuries to the spine, ranging from “soft tissue” injuries to some rather significant and devastating injuries, many of which are permanent and life-changing. Below, we break down the different areas of the spine and explain how damages to these areas can affect your body.
Parts of The Spine That Can Sustain Injury
Your spine consists of several different regions, each of which supports different functions. Learn more about how damage to each part of the spine can cause different injuries to your body.
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine, which is the area beneath your neck, consists of seven vertebrae, identified as C1 through C7. These vertebrae protect the brain stem and spinal cord, and support your skull and head movement. Persons who suffer injuries to these vertebrae often experience significant limitations in their ability to freely move their head.
Thoracic Spine
The next lower region is known as the thoracic spine, which includes 12 vertebrae, identified as T1 through T12. These vertebrae support the rib cage and also assist in the protection of internal organs.
Lumbar Spine
Beneath the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine, which includes 5 vertebrae, abbreviated as L1 through L5. This portion of the spine is responsible for supporting most of the body’s weight and movement. Injuries to the lumbar spine can be among the most significant spinal injuries and can result in significant restriction in mobility and limitation in use of your legs.
Sacral Spine
The lowest region is the sacral spine, which includes 5 bones identified as S1 – S5, located behind the pelvis. Directly below the sacral spine is the coccyx, which is also commonly known as the “tailbone”.
Spinal Cord
One common misconception is that the spine and vertebrae are solid bone. To the contrary, the vertebrae are hollow and encase the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the collection of nerves that extends throughout your body. The spinal cord and brain comprise what is known as the central nervous system, which is responsible for controlling virtually all body functions throughout your body. As you may expect, a significant spinal injury that also impinges upon the spinal cord, can have very serious and permanent repercussions.
Injured Your Spine Due in an Accident? Call Our NY Spine Injury Lawyers Today!
Because spinal injuries are potentially so serious, it is obviously critical to obtain necessary medical treatment right away. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and suffered a spinal injury, it is also important to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. A prompt meeting with counsel can ensure that claims are timely filed, that necessary parties are placed on notice of your potential claim, and that appropriate steps are taken to ensure that you can recover the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, economic losses, and past and future disability. Please contact the personal injury attorneys at Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto for assistance.
Related Articles
Understanding Injuries to the Spine – Learn what to do if you think you have a spine injury.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury – Read about traumatic brain injury, including causes, sign & symptoms, recovery, and getting the legal help you need if you’ve been impacted by TBI to get the compensation you deserve.
Understanding and Proving Whiplash Injuries –Â What is a whiplash injury? Lean what the symptoms of whiplash are, when to seek medical treatment and how to document the injury should litigation become necessary.
