Spinal Cord Injury Information
Trauma to the neck and back can cause significant damage to the spinal cord. Here, our Houston personal injury lawyers explain some of the most severe spine injuries and offer helpful information about diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Types of Neck, Back & Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries occur when the spinal cord is damaged, typically due to fractures or compression of the vertebrae. While complete spine severing is rare, displaced bones can destroy axons: the nerve cell extensions responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and body. This can lead to loss of function or complete paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injuries: Result in total sensory and motor function loss below the injury site.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries: Retain some ability to convey messages to or from the brain.
In addition to spinal cord injuries, other neck and back injuries can also cause significant pain and suffering. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, neck and back injuries are a leading cause of chronic pain, affecting more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Such injuries account for 42% of the 100 million Americans living with chronic pain and 25% of all workers' compensation claims nationwide.
Bulging & Herniated Discs
Discs, which act as cushions between each spinal vertebra, consist of a tough outer cartilage layer and a softer inner core. Injuries to these discs, such as bulging or herniated discs, can be both painful and debilitating.
Two prevalent disc injuries are bulging and herniated discs:
- Bulging Discs: Occur when the disc extends beyond its usual space in the spine.
- Herniated Discs: Result from a tear in the outer cartilage, allowing the inner core to protrude.
Symptoms of disc injuries often start with pain in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, progressing to severe neck or back pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. These injuries are commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, epidural steroid injections, and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Vertebrae Fractures
Fractured spinal vertebrae are a serious medical condition. Unless a victim has an underlying disease that weakens the bones, the trauma necessary to fracture vertebrae is usually quite severe. There are different types of vertebral fractures, classified by the pattern of the injury and the presence or absence of a complicating spinal cord injury. While most compression fractures occur in the mid or lower back, some fractures are at the thoracolumbar junction.
Types of vertebral fractures include:
- Compression Fractures: The front of the vertebra collapses while the back remains intact.
- Axial Burst Fractures: The vertebra loses height on both its front and back sides.
- Flexion-Distraction Injuries: The vertebra is pulled apart, often seen in high-speed accidents.
- Fracture-Dislocations: A vertebra breaks and dislocates, often accompanied by torn ligaments.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical. Depending on the severity of the injury and the risk to the spinal cord, treatments may include immobilization, physical therapy, or surgery. Addressing vertebral fractures often requires a combination of medical and rehabilitation treatments. Early intervention is crucial to prevent lasting damage.
Paraplegia & Quadriplegia
Spinal cord injuries can lead to life-altering paralysis. Paraplegia occurs when trauma affects the lower portions of the spine, limiting or eliminating movement and sensation in the legs. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) results from injuries to the cervical spine and affects all four limbs, often impacting breathing, bladder control, and core body functions. These conditions bring lasting changes that affect every part of a survivor’s life, and often their family's life.
Living with paraplegia or quadriplegia in the Houston area involves far more than the loss of mobility. Survivors frequently face:
- Major mobility challenges, including the long-term use of wheelchairs, power chairs, or adaptive technology, along with the need for home and vehicle modifications.
- Dependence on daily assistance, whether through family caregivers or skilled nursing professionals, for tasks such as bathing, dressing, and transportation.
- Emotional and psychological hardship, as adjusting to paralysis can trigger depression, anxiety, grief, and the overwhelming stress of adapting to a new way of living.
- Significant financial strain, with costs for rehabilitation, equipment, home modifications, and medical care often reaching hundreds of thousands—or millions—of dollars over a lifetime.
For survivors in Houston, day-to-day life can also be shaped by practical realities: accessing public transit that isn’t always wheelchair-friendly, navigating specialized care and outpatient therapy programs at facilities like TIRR Memorial Hermann, or coordinating rehabilitation. These challenges are why families so often turn to a Houston paralysis accident lawyer who can fight for the resources needed not just for immediate care, but for long-term independence and dignity.
At Arnold & Itkin, we know what spinal cord injuries take from people, and what a strong legal case can help restore. Our team has secured billions for clients facing paralysis and other life-changing injuries, helping them afford the treatment, support, and future stability they deserve, not just now but for the rest of their lives.
Proven Results in Houston & Harris County Spine Injury Cases
In Houston and across Harris County, our spinal cord injury firm has repeatedly proven that we don’t back down, no matter how powerful the defendant or how aggressively they try to deny responsibility.
One case that reflects our commitment involved a woman injured at a restaurant in Humble, Texas, when a large sign suddenly broke loose and struck her. She suffered significant cervical spine injuries, and the defendants refused to accept fault, even as her medical bills and pain continued to grow. Our team took the case to trial in Harris County.
During the second week of trial, facing overwhelming evidence and a jury ready to hold them accountable, the defendants agreed to a $6.25 million settlement, firmly establishing our client's lifelong care.
We’ve helped clients throughout Houston and beyond secure life-changing recoveries in spine injury cases, including:
- $7.5 million settlement for a client who required back and neck surgery after being sideswiped by an 18-wheeler on I-10. The trucking company tried to blame the victim, until our team proved the truth in Harris County court.
- $8 million settlement for an offshore steward who suffered a severe back injury requiring surgery. He was initially told his case was worth only a few hundred thousand dollars. We proved otherwise.
- $5.58 million settlement for a Houston man who suffered neck and back injuries in a catastrophic plant explosion. Despite corporate denials, our attorneys uncovered the truth and secured justice.
- $2.45 million settlement for a Houston plant worker who sustained multiple neck and back injuries, including a herniated disc. The company denied all wrongdoing, but our firm fought to hold them fully accountable.
- $2 million settlement for a Houston mother whose spine injuries required extensive treatment after a distracted driver rear-ended her on the Gulf Freeway. We ensured she received full compensation to rebuild her life.
These victories represent only a fraction of the spine injury cases our firm has handled in Houston, Harris County, and nationwide. Whether the injury happened in a plant or refinery explosion, a truck crash, an offshore incident, a workplace accident, or a dangerous public space, one truth remains: when our clients’ futures are on the line, we fight to win.
Interested in finding out how a Houston spine injury lawyer at Arnold & Itkin can help you? Call (888) 493-1629 or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
Spinal Cord Injury Classifications
Spinal cord injuries are classified based on the region of the spine affected.
Each type of injury has distinct impacts on mobility, sensation, and bodily functions:
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (C1 - C8)
Cervical injuries, which affect the upper spinal cord, are among the most severe. These injuries can result in extensive weakness or paralysis, loss of sensation, and an inability to control nerve signals below the injury site. Many victims lose the ability to breathe independently and require ventilatory support. Additionally, bowel and bladder dysfunction are common, often necessitating permanent stabilization or assistive devices.
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury (T1 - T12)
Thoracic injuries involve the mid-spinal cord and typically lead to paralysis of the legs while leaving arm function intact. Although victims retain use of their arms, they often experience loss of sensation in the lower body along with bowel and bladder dysfunction. These injuries can impair mobility and require extensive rehabilitation.
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury (L1 - L5)
Injuries to the lumbar region result in motor function loss in the legs and reduced control over the buttocks, abdomen, and genital organs. Surgical intervention is often necessary to stabilize the injury and prevent further complications. While victims may maintain upper body strength, their mobility is often significantly limited.
Sacral Spinal Cord Injury (S1 - S5)
Sacral injuries, located at the base of the spine, primarily affect bowel and bladder control. In many cases, victims also experience paralysis or weakness in the hips and legs, along with reduced or absent control over the thighs, calves, feet, and genital organs. Although these injuries tend to be less severe than cervical or thoracic injuries, they still impose considerable limitations on daily life and independence.
Why Spinal Cord Injury Classification Matters
Understanding the classification of a spinal cord injury is essential, not just for doctors, but for your legal team and your long-term recovery. The level and severity of the injury determine everything from the type of medical care you’ll need to the amount of assistance required for daily life.
In a legal claim, this classification becomes a key factor in proving the true scope of your damages.
Insurance companies often try to downplay the seriousness of a spinal injury, but proper classification makes that impossible. It provides objective medical evidence of how the injury affects movement, sensation, and autonomy—evidence that helps our spine injury attorneys demonstrate the full financial and human impact of the trauma. For survivors and families in Houston and across Texas, classification can also guide realistic expectations for recovery, available therapies, and long-term planning.
At Arnold & Itkin, we work with top spinal injury specialists, rehabilitation experts, and life-care planners to ensure your injury is correctly identified and thoroughly documented. This allows us to build a powerful case for the compensation you need to move forward, not just for today, but for the rest of your life.
Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
Injury to the spinal cord can lead to a wide range of significant effects on the body, depending on the severity and location of the injury. These include:
- Breathing Issues: Injuries at or above C3, C4, and C5 can impair or stop breathing entirely, often requiring ventilatory support. Injuries at C5 and below can also cause breathing difficulties, such as rapid, shallow breaths.
- Irregular Heartbeat & Low Blood Pressure: Cervical spinal cord injuries frequently result in unstable blood pressure and arrhythmias, often appearing within the first two weeks after injury. Low blood pressure often occurs due to loss of vascular tone, as blood vessels widen and cause blood to pool in distant arteries.
- Blood Clots: People with spinal cord injuries face an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, which are potentially life-threatening conditions involving blood clots.
- Spasms: Spinal cord damage may disrupt the brain’s regulation of reflexes, making them exaggerated and spastic. Severe spasms can interfere with daily activities and may require medical treatment, such as muscle relaxants.
- Autonomic Dysreflexia: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when stimuli below the spinal cord injury site level trigger uncontrolled reflexes, causing spikes in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and complications like strokes and seizures.
- Pressure Sores: Immobility due to paralysis can lead to pressure sores (decubitus ulcers) as skin tissue breaks down under constant pressure. Proper care, including regular repositioning, is essential to prevent these sores.
- Bladder & Bowel Dysfunction: Spinal cord injuries often disrupt bladder and bowel control since the nerves governing these functions originate near the base of the spinal cord. Victims typically require a catheter to manage bladder function and may follow a scheduled bowel program to maintain regularity and prevent complications.
- Reproductive & Sexual Function: Spinal cord injuries have a greater impact on sexual and reproductive function in men than in women. Men may face challenges with erections or ejaculation, while most women retain the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy, though complications may arise depending on the severity of the injury.
Every effect of a spinal cord injury should be considered when seeking fair compensation. Our team works with experts to consider all impacts that such an injury may have on your life now and into the future. From there, we can pursue the full value of your Houston spinal cord injury lawsuit, even when the other side tries to deny accountability, delay your claim, or minimize what you've experienced. We counteract these measures with clear, compelling evidence.
Diagnosing Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be challenging to diagnose, and delays or missed diagnoses can result in more severe outcomes. Accurate identification requires thorough patient evaluations, including detailed medical histories and physical exams.
When to Conduct Emergency Diagnostic Tests
Emergency diagnostic tests should be performed immediately if an injured person:
- Complains of neck or back pain
- Is not fully conscious
- Displays signs of weakness or paralysis
- Shows symptoms of neurological impairment, such as numbness or tingling
Common Diagnostic Tests for Spinal Cord Injuries
- X-Ray: Often the first test conducted, X-rays can reveal vertebral fractures, tumors, or degenerative changes.
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: Used following an X-ray to provide detailed cross-sectional images. CT scans help identify bone fractures, disk abnormalities, and other structural issues.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Utilizes strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. MRIs are particularly useful for detecting soft tissue damage.
Once initial swelling subsides, neurological exams are critical for assessing the severity and completeness of the injury. These evaluations determine the extent of damage and help guide long-term treatment planning.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatment in Houston
Treatment for spinal cord injuries focuses on preventing further complications and enabling patients to return to as active a life as possible. When a spinal injury is caused by an accident, urgent medical attention is critical to minimize trauma effects. Treatment often begins at the accident scene, where emergency responders immobilize the spine using a rigid neck collar and carrying board to transport the patient to the hospital safely.
Early-Stage Treatment
During the initial phase of care, priority is given to maintaining the patient’s ability to breathe, preventing shock, and minimizing additional damage. Sedation may be necessary to keep the patient immobile during diagnostic tests.
Stabilization & Surgical Interventions
Spinal stabilization may require traction to align or support the spine. Traction often involves metal braces, weights, or a body harness attached to the skull to maintain stability. For less severe cases, a rigid neck collar may suffice. Surgery is often necessary to remove items compressing the spine, stabilize fractured vertebrae, or address spinal deformities.
Cutting-Edge Research
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation continues to advance the search for a cure for paralysis caused by spine injuries through groundbreaking research. Efforts are focused on areas such as neuroprotection, axon regeneration, growth inhibition, and stem cell therapy, all aimed at addressing the biological barriers to recovery.
Preventing Cellular Damage
After a spinal cord injury, the body’s immune response often triggers apoptosis—a process in which surviving cells are destroyed, leading to additional functional loss. This biological ripple effect exacerbates the injury’s impact. Researchers are exploring strategies to curb apoptosis, which could reduce the cascading damage caused by spinal cord trauma.
Axon Growth
Spinal cord injuries sever axons, the critical pathways for neural signals, disrupting communication between the brain and the body. Although neurons frequently survive, they do not naturally regenerate axons. Scientists are investigating ways to stimulate axon growth by reactivating neuron development and blocking growth-inhibiting molecules that form at the injury site. While progress has been made, challenges remain, such as guiding new axons to reconnect with neural circuits and restoring neurotransmitter functionality to reestablish proper communication pathways.
Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research holds immense potential for spinal cord injury treatment. Neural progenitor stem cells offer the possibility of repairing damaged spinal tissue, but researchers must first develop precise methods to control their growth and integration. Additionally, lab-grown cells could be transplanted into spinal networks to promote regeneration and restore function. While this shows promise, it remains in the experimental stages and is not yet widely available.
The Importance of Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
While the primary purpose of seeking immediate medical attention after a spine injury is to protect your health and offer a better chance at effective treatment, it is also a critical part of any resulting claim or lawsuit. As spinal cord injury lawyers in Houston, we encourage our clients to not only seek medical attention but to keep records of all treatment, to follow their doctor's orders, and to seek specialist care when needed.
We are a local firm with national reach. We know the best treatment and rehabilitation options in Houston (like Ben Taub Hospital and TIRR Memorial Hermann), across Texas, and even in other states. We work closely with our clients through the entire legal process to make sure they are getting the care they need, and we forward all costs associated with the case. There are no risks and no surprises, just the support of a powerful ally who cares about your well-being.
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a critical component of recovery, focusing on improving mobility, independence, and quality of life. Selecting the right facility early in recovery is essential, as specialized centers offer the needed expertise and resources.
Essential Rehabilitation Specialists
Effective rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary team of experts, including:
- Physiatrists: Physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who coordinate long-term recovery.
- Rehabilitation Nurses: Skilled in managing bladder and bowel issues, preventing bedsores, and addressing pain and breathing challenges. They help patients achieve independence and manage complex medical needs.
- Occupational Therapists (OTs): Assist patients in regaining the ability to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. They also evaluate and adapt home environments for safety and accessibility.
- Physical Therapists (PTs): Focus on improving motor and sensory function, reducing spasticity, maintaining muscle integrity, and developing strength and coordination. PTs also help patients use assistive devices effectively.
Restoring Function & Mobility
Rehabilitation begins with maintaining and strengthening existing muscle function while relearning fine motor skills and developing techniques to complete daily tasks.
Personalized rehabilitation plans may include:
- Medications: Oral or injectable treatments to manage pain and spasticity.
- Orthopedic Procedures: To support joint and muscle function.
- Bracing & Splinting: For stabilization and improved mobility.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle activity.
- Diaphragm Pacing: Assists patients with respiratory challenges by stimulating the diaphragm.
- Wheelchair Programs: Help patients select and adapt to the most suitable wheelchair.
Local Spine Injury Support in Houston, Texas
Houston is home to some of the nation’s leading resources for people recovering from spinal cord injuries. Facilities like TIRR Memorial Hermann's Spinal Cord Treatment Center in the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs that help patients rebuild strength, mobility, and confidence. These centers offer a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and long-term recovery planning—services that can make a real difference for individuals adjusting to life after a serious spine injury.
Houston also has strong community-based support networks for spinal cord injury survivors and their families. Local support groups and organizations like the United Spinal Association of Houston give people a place to connect, share what they’re going through, and learn from others facing similar challenges. These groups can help families find resources for home modifications, accessible transportation, financial assistance, and day-to-day problem-solving.
Tapping into local support early can make recovery less overwhelming. Whether it’s guidance on navigating healthcare options or simply having a community to lean on, these Houston-area resources help survivors rebuild their independence while giving families the tools they need to move forward.
Talk to Our Houston Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
A spinal cord injury can bring immense financial and emotional challenges. Extensive medical bills for tests and treatment, combined with the inability to work, can make it increasingly difficult to stay financially stable. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation to secure your future.
Our Houston spine injury lawyers are dedicated to advocating for those who have been injured. If you or a loved one has suffered paralysis or a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s actions, we are here to help. Our experienced team can help you identify the responsible parties and seek the compensation you deserve for the hardships you’ve endured. With over $20 billion recovered for our clients, including record-setting verdicts, we have a proven track record of success. You can rely on us to fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Call (888) 493-1629 today for a free consultation and find out how a Houston spinal cord injury lawyer can help you.
