The Startling Statistics on Spinal Cord Injuries

Each year thousands of Americans experience a spinal cord injury. These injuries are devastating and can cause both physical and emotional distress. The cost of care for a spinal cord injury can become costly. Approximately 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury occur each year, not including those who die due to a spinal cord related injury.

Here is a look at some statistics:

  • Approximately 259,000 people in the United States live with a spinal cord injury.
  • The average age one gets injured is 40 years old.
  • The average age has continued to increase steadily since the 1970’s.
  • Most spinal cord injuries occur in males – 80.9% partially because males are more likely to engage in more risky behavior.
  • Leading cause of death from a spinal cord injury is pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and septicemia.

A spinal cord injury can result at any time from a motor vehicle accident, a serious fall on a construction site, playing sports, during a high-risk activity, or a fall in a nursing home.

Ben Damon suffered paralysis when he was a passenger in a friend’s car. As they began traveling to Portland Maine a moose struck the vehicle, causing the roof to compress by over a foot. With Ben’s height of 6-foot-6 and the amount the car was compressed, he ended up breaking parts of his vertebra resulting in paralysis.

Ben stated, “I am very, very lucky to be where I am. This is not something that anyone can prepare for, and it could happen to anyone. But I am very, very fortunate and grateful to have my family and friends.”

See more stories like Ben Damon here.

Spinal cord injuries are something no one is prepared for and can occur randomly. In order to minimize your chances of suffering from a serious injury, always keep safety at the forefront of everything that you do.

The top causes of spinal cord injury since 2005 include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents – 42.1%
  • Falls – 26.7%
  • Violence – 15.1%
  • Sports Incidents – 7.6%
  • Other – 8.6%

The percentage of both violence and sports related injuries have declined overtime, but due to motor vehicle accidents and falls there is still an increase in numbers. Let’s strive to make 2017 a year that we see a decrease throughout all causes of spinal cord injuries.

If you or a loved one suffered a Spinal Cord Injury as a result of someone else’s negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. Henson Fuerst has extensive experience standing up to insurance companies, hospitals, and anyone else that is trying to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve for your serious injuries.

Call us today at (866) 677-0420 or fill out a free consultation form online to speak with one of our dedicated, compassionate Raleigh, North Carolina Serious Injury attorneys absolutely FREE. At Henson Fuerst, our experienced North Carolina Spinal Cord Injuries will investigate every detail of your accident at no cost to you and fight hard to ensure that your rights are protected.

At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Trust Henson Fuerst, Because Your Case Matters.

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