Spinal Cord Injury Law
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Definition
This type of injury damages the central nervous system in the spinal cord, which carries signals between the body and the brain and controls the body’s movements and sensation. It can result in full or partial loss of motor control and sensation or actual paralysis of one or more limbs. These injuries are usually caused by a trauma, a blow or other impact to one’s spine as a result of a car accident, a fall, a violent act (such as a gunshot wound), a recreational sports injury, a developmental disorder, tumor, disease, or a surgical mishap. There is currently no cure for spinal cord injury.
What is Spinal Cord Injury Law? Personal injury law usually categorizes these types of injuries as catastrophic injuries. When the injury is caused by another individual’s negligence it can result in a personal injury lawsuit and in the case of a surgical error, a medical malpractice claim. These injuries can also lead to product liability lawsuits, if they were caused by defective products, such as faulty seatbelts. It is usually necessary to have knowledge of disability and social security law, due to the permanency of these types of injuries.
Defenses to these claims include contributory or comparative negligence and assumption of risk. For example, the injured party’s actions contributed to his/her injury because he was drunk or he/she was injured during a high-risk activity, such as sky diving and he/she was aware of the risk.
Unlike other less severe personal injury claims, damages for SCI claims can exceed recovery of medical expenses and pain and suffering. They may include compensation for the long-term effects, such as rehabilitation and home aid, cost of wheelchairs and other devices, and the expense of adding ramps and stair lifts to the victim’s home and transportation. Spouses of SCI victims may also sue for loss of household services, loss of consortium, and loss of spousal intimacy.
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Spinal Cord Injury Law - US
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009.
- Disability.gov
Disability.gov is an award-winning federal Web site that contains disability-related resources on programs, services, laws and regulations to help people with disabilities lead full, independent lives.
- National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All of our programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adultho
- Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells
On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13505, entitled Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells.
- Spinal Cord Injury - Emerging Concepts (NINDS)
As the 20th century draws to a close, advances in scientific understanding of the human body are leading to tremendous opportunities for treating even the most devastating diseases. Among the most exciting frontiers in medicine is the repair of traumatic injuries to the central nervous system (CNS), including the spinal cord. Improvements in treatment are helping many more people survive spinal cord injury, and the time survivors must spend in the hospital is half what it was 20 years ago. Yet most spinal cord injuries still cause lifelong disability, and further research is critically needed.
- Stem Cell Unit - Congressional Legislation
The initial aim of the SCU is to establish standards for all aspects of the culture process, as well as quality control and monitoring of these hESC lines. By performing these assays in a single laboratory, the SCU has established a database to which additional hESC lines, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells may be directly compared. These data give scientists the information they need when choosing individual cell lines for specific projects.
Organizations Related to Spinal Cord Injury Law
- American Tort Reform Association
ATRA was founded in 1986 by the American Council of Engineering Companies. Shortly thereafter, the American Medical Association joined them. Since that time, ATRA has been working to bring greater fairness, predictability and efficiency to America's civil justice system. Those efforts have resulted in the enactment of state and federal laws that make the system fairer for everyone. Further, ATRA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with affiliated coalitions in more than 40 states.
- Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury
The Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure (FSCIPCC) is a non-profit educational group dedicated to the prevention, care and cure of spinal cord injuries through public awareness, education and funding research. Founded by its current Chairman Ronald R. Gilbert, FSCIPCC is committed to improving the quality of care for persons with serious spinal cord injuries and to raising funds that support the search for a cure.
- National Spinal Cord Injury Association
Founded in 1948, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation's oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families. This number grows by thirty newly-injured people each day.
- Paralysis Project of America
The Paralysis Project of America was founded in 1987 by a group of concerned parents whose children were injured in accidents. The Paralysis Project funds novel lines of Scientific Research to assist those suffering from Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis.
- United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans who pioneered the disability rights movement. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of all Americans living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), and post polio.
Publications Related to Spinal Cord Injury Law
- CDC - Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Prevention Tips
Motor vehicles are the leading cause of SCI in the United States for people under age 65 (Berkowitz 1998). Here are some safety tips for driving and riding in motor vehicles. Falls are the leading cause of SCI for people 65 and older (Berkowitz 1998).
- Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Statistics - Sci-Info-Pages
This site is a free and informative resource for those living with a spinal cord injury or other disabling injuries or diseases of the spine.
Articles on HG.org Related to Spinal Cord Injury Law
- Traumatic Brain Injuries and the Devastation They Leave BehindTraumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are remarkably widespread in the United States. According to one CDC report, each day 153 people suffer and die from injuries related to TBI. From a small concussion to significant brain damage, TBIs cover a wide range of injuries that can negatively impact sensation, emotional functions, motor skills, and cognitive performance.
- Recoverable Damages in Michigan Medical Malpractice CasesYour doctor made a mistake. You were injured. You now have to take time off work, pay unexpected medical costs, and hire someone to maintain your home and yard. As a result, you are teetering on the edge of financial ruin. Are you entitled to be reimbursed for medical expenses? Lost wages? Mental anguish? The short answer is yes.
- Is It Too late to Sue: Statutes of Limitation and Repose in MichiganLawyers receive calls every day from people who are injured but waited too long to sue. Don't sleep on your rights. There are time limits that must be followed when bringing a lawsuit. Wait too long, and your claim will become barred by a statute of limitation or repose.
- Do Workers’ Compensation Claims Include Negligence?Many people mistakenly believe that there is a direct relationship between negligence and workers’ comp. The truth, however, is more complex—workers’ comp cases are is not like personal injury cases.
- A Patient's Guide to Medical Malpractice CasesMedical malpractice cases, for a normal patient, can be frightening and difficult to comprehend. Often, the patient, or the patient’s family, is reeling and in a state of disbelief, or even denial, that they, like thousands of other patients, have been harmed by medical malpractice. So after a patient or family member has been harmed or injured by a doctor or nurse, the patient or family member may ask: “What do we do next?” or “What do we do now?”
- Spinal Cord InjuriesUnlike most other wounds or damage to the body, spinal trauma may be long-lasting and life altering. When vertebrae are separated or traumatized, various effects may arise such as swelling, back pain, temporary paralysis or permanent paralysis.
- Can I Recover the Costs of Alternative Medicine/Chiropractors with a Legal Settlement in Nevada?Nevada law distinguishes between general and special damages in negligence (personal injury) cases. Special damages refer to direct economic loss as a result of lost wages and medical expenses, including future expenses. General damages refer to lost quality of life due to pain and suffering or long-term impairment arising from the injury.
- Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Residential Pool OwnersThousands of homeowners in and around Atlanta have swimming pools or hot tubs on their property. While these amenities can significantly increase property value and can provide hours of entertainment and relaxation, they can also pose a risk of serious injury to people who use them.
- What to Expect During an Independent Medical ExaminationWhen a plaintiff in a personal injury case puts an aspect of his or her physical or mental health at issue, such as by claiming disability from an injury or claiming emotional distress, the defendant will most likely and to obtain medical or psychiatric evidence to challenge those claims.expect?
- Slip and Falls Are the Most Common Cause of Spinal Cord InjuriesSpinal cord injuries are on the rise, and slip and falls among seniors now top the list as the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. According to a new study, which was published in the January 23 issue of the Journal of Neurotrauma, falls among seniors have surpassed auto accidents as the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
- All Tort and Personal Injury Law Articles
Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Tort and Personal Injury including: animal bites, asbestos mesothelioma, back and neck injury, bicycle accident, birth injury, brain injury, burn injuries, catastrophic injuries, construction accidents, construction injuries, defamation, libel and slander, defective products, industrial injuries, mass tort, negligence, nursing home abuse, pedestrian accident, personal injury, premises liability, product liability, sexual abuse, slip and fall, spinal cord injury, torts, toxic mold, toxic torts, workplace injuries and wrongful death.
