Thousands of people suffer from spinal cord injuries every year, and some of those people end up with paralysis. There is no question that someone in that position has many challenges to overcome. Depending on the severity, they may need to relearn basic skills or learn other way to accomplish tasks.
What may seem like an impossible situation can get worse when the secondary conditions are considered. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we believe that anyone suffering from a spinal cord injury should know about the potential secondary conditions. This is especially true if they are planning to file a personal injury claim for their injury. After all, how can you seek compensation for long-term medical costs if you are not aware of the potential secondary conditions that could arise?
You Could Have a Higher Chance of Contracting Disease
If your spinal cord injury was in the high thoracic or cervical area of the spine, then you could end up very vulnerable to pneumonia. This is because a healthy person coughs or breathes forcefully to clear out their lungs. A person who is paralyzed in this part of their chest pay struggle to do so, and those secretions could build up. If the secretions include bacteria, then an infection can occur – which can lead to pneumonia.
You May Be at a Greater Risk for Developing Blood Clots
If it has only been a few months since the car accident or other accident that caused your spinal cord injury, or if you become ill at any point after the injury, you could be at risk for deep vein thrombosis. Put simply, this involves developing blood clots. It is caused due to the inability to move your extremities or walk, which means that your blood does not circulate as it used to. The results could be your blood pooling, which can eventually form a clot.
You Could Have Fluctuating Blood Pressure
If you have pain, discomfort, or irritation under the level of your injury, your blood pressure could get dangerously. On the other hand, when you move from a flat to an upright position, your blood pressure could drop suddenly. This can have long-term impacts on the health of your cardiovascular system.
You Need Compensation for Your Higher Medical Bills
These are all important things to consider when filing a personal injury claim. You do not want to just get compensated for past medical bills when you will have more medical bills in the future. Even routine medical care will be more expensive as complications arise with medication interactions and secondary conditions like those listed above.
The best way to get a fair settlement is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to get you through this process. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for your free legal consultation.
