Living with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Compensation for your future is our why
Have you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury? Damage or degradation to the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal affect the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages. This can impact sensory, motor, and autonomic function below the level of injury. But there is hope for a brighter future.nnLegate Injury Lawyers wants to be part of your recovery. You may be entitled to compensation to ease financial worries for a more comfortable tomorrow. One of our knowledgeable spinal injury lawyers may be able to help.n
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What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
In the unfortunate event of a spinal cord injury, follow these steps for a hopeful future.
- Seek help sooner than later.
Spinal cord injuries are serious. Long-term outcomes can be improved with early and effective medical attention and treatment. Thankfully, advances in medical technologies assist in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries. Multi-disciplinary teams of specialists are available to help people recover and regain independence. If you require medical help, don’t hesitate to call 911 and request an ambulance. - Collect and preserve information about how the spinal cord injury occurred.
Take photos and make detailed notes of symptoms over time. This type of injury can present itself suddenly or over time, which is why it’s important to regularly document feelings. If another person witnessed the cause of the spinal cord injury, request their contact information. - Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Our team at Legate Injury Lawyers knows all the resources available to help people navigate the road to recovery following a spinal cord injury. While you are focusing on recovering, our lawyers can start building your case. Consultations are free.
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
In the unfortunate event of a spinal cord injury, follow these steps for a hopeful future.
- Seek help sooner than later.
Spinal cord injuries are serious. Long-term outcomes can be improved with early and effective medical attention and treatment. Thankfully, advances in medical technologies assist in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries. Multi-disciplinary teams of specialists are available to help people recover and regain independence. If you require medical help, don’t hesitate to call 911 and request an ambulance. - Collect and preserve information about how the spinal cord injury occurred.
Take photos and make detailed notes of symptoms over time. This type of injury can present itself suddenly or over time, which is why it’s important to regularly document feelings. If another person witnessed the cause of the spinal cord injury, request their contact information. - Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Our team at Legate Injury Lawyers knows all the resources available to help people navigate the road to recovery following a spinal cord injury. While you are focusing on recovering, our lawyers can start building your case. Consultations are free.
What Can I Expect from a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
Legate Injury Lawyers attempts to make the legal process as transparent as possible. We are kind, compassionate people who genuinely want to help you. Here’s what you can expect when working with us.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result from trauma or from disease or degenerative conditions. You may have sustained a blow to the head, neck, or back in an accident, or suffered compressed disks or vertebrae. Medical conditions such as infections, abscesses, and tumors can also cause spinal cord injuries. Some common causes of spinal cord injuries in Ontario include, but are not limited to
- Motor vehicle collisions and motorcycle accidents
- Assaults and acts of violence (fights, gunshots, stab or knife wounds)
- Sports injuries/recreational injuries
- ATV and snowmobile accidents
- Sledding and tobogganing accidents
- Diving and swimming injuries
- Boating injuries
- Biking and cycling accidents
- Trampoline mishaps
- Incidents on schoolyards and playground equipment
- Diseases (cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.)
- Surgeries and surgical complications
- Infections and abscesses
- Birth injuries
- Slips and falls
Typical Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Most spinal cord injuries that Legate Injury Lawyers’ clients are recovering from are quite serious. Symptoms vary from person to person and over time. They may include the following.
Initial complications:
- Weakness
- Pain
- Lost sensation
- Muscle spasms
- Tingling
- Incontinence
- Paralysis
Long-term complications:
- Lost function in arms, legs, bowels, and/or bladder
- Immobility and dependence on mobility aids (e.g., wheelchair)
- Spasticity
- Lung, heart, and breathing problems
- Chronic pain
- Causa equina syndrome
- Sexual dysfunction
- Lost strength
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pneumonia
- Bedsores and pressure injuries
- Emotional trauma (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD)
Spinal Cord Injury FAQsAll FAQs
Yes. There are both “complete” and “incomplete” spinal cord injuries.
Complete spinal cord injuries result in a loss of sensation below a certain area of the body (paralysis in the form as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia).
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are still a serious condition, but sensation below the injured area of the spinal column remains present. It is associated with lost or limited function and/or pain.
Complete spinal cord injuries result in a loss of sensation below a certain area of the body (paralysis in the form as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia).
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are still a serious condition, but sensation below the injured area of the spinal column remains present. It is associated with lost or limited function and/or pain.
No. Spinal cord injuries are different from back injuries. A person can break their back or neck, yet not sustain a spinal cord injury. This is because rings of bone called vertebra surround the spinal cord. If only the vertebrae are damaged, the individual may not experience paralysis after the bones are stabilized.
Advances in medical and rehabilitation technologies can help improve outcomes for people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. Surgeries, injections, medications, and specialized therapies can improve outcomes and help reduce pain and disabling functions. There is no cure for complete injuries such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia. However, there is help available to improve quality of life.
If we agree to proceed beyond an initial investigation in your case, we usually enter into a contingency fee agreement that governs how we are paid. Most individuals cannot afford to pay upfront for a lawsuit. Contingency fee agreements facilitate access to justice by allowing you to compensate us for our time by paying a percentage of the amount you recover at the end of the case. The percentage fee is decided upon based on the risks in your particular case, the amount of resources we will spend to properly prepare your case, and other factors that we will discuss together.
The Law Society of Ontario requires firms to publish the maximum contingency fee they charge to ensure the public can make informed decisions. Unless a court orders otherwise, our fee will not be more than 35% of your damages and costs. Your fee may be lower. Fees will always be discussed and agreed upon in advance to ensure there are no surprises.
The Law Society of Ontario requires firms to publish the maximum contingency fee they charge to ensure the public can make informed decisions. Unless a court orders otherwise, our fee will not be more than 35% of your damages and costs. Your fee may be lower. Fees will always be discussed and agreed upon in advance to ensure there are no surprises.
Our Your Team
Your loved one's health, security and future is our why. Advocating for people who've experienced injuries is a labour of love for Legate Injury Lawyers. We've helped hundreds of families see beyond their current circumstances and secure brighter futures.
