Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers | Truitt Law Offices Blog

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2010-04-26T12:36:00.001-04:00

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Life after Spinal Cord Injuries

2010-04-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

Christopher Reeve is one of the most recognizable faces and names associated with Spinal Cord Injury. His life and legacy are a testament to how much someone can overcome and accomplish, when in spite of their handicap, they put their mind to it. There are countless other stories of the triumph and success of people living with spinal cord injury. Reeve and many others have discovered that life can yield great satisfaction in business, competitive sports and other arenas even after a spinal cord injury. Here are some of their stories:

Scott Chesney – became paralyzed from a sudden spinal stroke at the age of 15. A true student of life, he was not deterred by his injury and paralysis. Through his study of teachers of human behavior, Scott developed his own message for navigating life. Scott shares his philosophies as a personal empowerment coach for adults, teens and families. His success has earned him international recognition as a workshop and keynote presenter including speaking to an audience at the United Nations.

Teddy Pendergrass – singer, song writer and composer was severely injured in an auto accident in 1982. Before his accident Teddy had a successful career as a lead singer and solo artist. After completing physical therapy he returned to the studio and recorded the album Love Language. On July 13, 1985 Teddy returned to public performing then continued his career through the 1980s and 1990s. Sadly, Pendergrass succumbed to cancer on January 13, 2010. Both his music and the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (a foundation that helps those with spinal cord injury), are a legacy and testament to what someone can accomplish in spite of spinal cord injury.

Teddy Pendergrass, Scott Chesney, Christopher Reeve and countless others like them provide a point of reference and encouragement. Realizing your potential and dreams after a spinal cord injury begins with ensuring you receive the care and consideration you need and deserve. That’s one reason you need a spinal cord injury lawyer familiar with the laws of Indiana. If you live in the Indianapolis area contact one at Truitt Law Offices.

How Disability is Determined

2010-04-02T10:32:00.000-04:00

The Social Security Administration uses a series of questions to determine disability after you have suffered some type of personal injury. These five qualifying questions provide a step by step process designed to help identify disability:

Are you working? – If you are working and your wages average more than $700 per month you will not normally be considered for disability.

Is your condition severe? – The impairments associated with your condition have to interfere with the normal work related activities to be considered disabled.

Is your condition found in the list of disabling impairments? – The Social Security Administration has a list of impairments that are organized by each of the major body systems. The impairments listed are those that are so severe they will automatically qualify you for disability status. For a condition that is not on the list, a determination must be made to determine if it’s as severe as one that is on the list. If it is not, go to the next step.

Can you do the work you did previously? – If your condition does not equal the severity of a condition on the list the Social Security Administration must determine if you can do the work you have done for the past 15 years. If you can, your claim will be denied.

Can you do any other type of work? – If you cannot do the work you have done in the past 15 years a determination must be made if you can do another type of work. Factors considered in this determination include age, work experience, transferrable skills and a review of job demands of occupations as determined by the Department of Labor. If you cannot perform any type of work your claim will be approved. If you can, your claim will be denied.

Having someone asking you all these questions can be intimidating. The outcome is important so it is essential to have an advocate who will help you navigate these questions and get the answers you deserve. If you live in the Indianapolis area, please contact Truitt Law Offices to find an Indiana spinal cord lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights at this time.

Spasticity as a Result of Spinal Cord Injury

2010-03-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

Spasticity (muscle spasms) occurs after a spinal cord injury. The cause of spasticity is that nerve cells below the level of the injury become disconnected from the brain. This results in changes to the nerves that control muscle activity. Spasticity is an exaggeration of normal reflexes that can occur any time the body is stimulated below the injury. When muscles are stretched or something irritates the body below the level of the injury, muscle spasms can occur. Sensations from the body are transmitted to the spinal cord but because the nerve cells are disconnected it causes muscles to contract or spasm.

Almost any stimulation can trigger spasticity. There are some conditions that cause more of a problem. Kidney and bladder infections or skin break down will cause spasms to increase. If an individual with spinal cord injury doesn't perform regular range of motion exercises their muscles and joints will become less flexible. The lack of flexibility can cause severe spasms even with minor stimulation. Injuries to the feet and legs can also increase spasticity.

The spasticity that results from spinal cord injury can also have some benefit to the injured person. Muscle spasms can serve as an indicator to identify pain or problems in areas that are lacking sensation. As an example, the spasms can be an indication of a urinary tract infection coming on. Spasticity also helps to maintain muscle size and bone strength, and maintain circulation in the legs.

Spasticity is just one condition related to spinal cord injury. If you live in Indiana and are dealing with Spasticity or other injury related conditions contact an experienced Indiana Spinal Cord Lawyer at Truitt Law Offices.

Your rights as a patient with a Spinal Cord Injury

2010-03-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

Whether you have a recent spinal cord injury or have been living with one for some time understanding your rights is important. The rights of medical patients are defined in a number of federal and state laws. The specifics may vary from state to state but most laws provide protection in some key areas:

Freedom of choice - You have the right to choose where you will receive care and who will provide that care. In the case of an emergency those decisions might be made for you if you’re unable to make decisions about treatment.

Prompt and adequate response - The medical facility and care providers must answer all reasonable requests within their ability to meet them.

Informed consent – So that you can consider all of your options, the physician and others coordinating your care must provide you with adequate information. In context, this means any information the care providers posses or reasonably should possess is available to you so that you can assess the risk and options to make informed decisions.

Your medical records - The law provides protections for confidentiality. You may have access to your own records but will likely have to pay for copies if you request them.

Information - Copies of any rules and regulations governing your care and the basic information about the physician and others coordinating your care is available to you.

Federal and state provisions are in place to help protect your rights as a patient. Knowing and exercising your rights is an important ingredient to help ensure you receive the best care possible and never suffer from neglect, oversight or abuse. The provisions listed here are just a few of those that exist to guarantee the quality of your care. Finding an attorney who specializes in safeguarding the rights of patients with spinal cord injury is also an essential step. If you live in the Indianapolis area and have suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the Truitt Law Offices.

Prevalence and Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

2010-02-27T20:54:00.000-05:00

Over 5 million people in the United States report having some form of paralysis. 23% of those cases are caused by spinal cord injury. That means 1,275,000 people reported being paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. That number is approximately 0.4% of the total U.S. population.

When you look further into the information that's available, you find that nearly 25% of the people suffering from spinal cord injury are under age 40 with half of those under age 30.

The leading causes of spinal cord injury are traffic accidents and work-related accidents. These two categories account for 52% of the injuries. There are a number of other causes of spinal cord injury including birth defects (3%), falls (9%), sports & recreation accidents (16%), natural disasters (1%) and victims of violence (4%).

Knowing the number of people impacted and the circumstances that can cause spinal cord injury is valuable information. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury there’s much more that you need to know. Statistics can be gleaned from many sources but the information and assistance that you need when you are impacted by a spinal cord injury is best obtained through an attorney that specializes in Spinal Cord Injury.

Don't be overwhelmed by the data. If you live anywhere in Indiana and you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury contact an experienced Indiana spinal cord injury attorney at Truitt Law Offices today to schedule a consultation.

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

2010-02-25T20:50:00.002-05:00

When someone suffers a spinal cord injury it can be difficult to understand the type and severity of the damage. In fact, in the medical community there has been much confusion about the terminology that defines injury levels, classifications, and severity. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of spinal cord injury you may be overwhelmed by the terms that are used to explain the damage. Terms like ASIA Impairment Scale and Zone of Partial Preservation are essential for clinicians but can be confusing to most people.

The ASIA Spinal Cord Injury Classification approach is used by most major organizations dealing with spinal cord injury. One key result is that more consistent terminology is used to describe the injuries. Within the ASIA Impairment Scale are some terms that are more understandable for patients and family members. There are two key terms that help us understand how serious an injury is:

Complete - The traditional definition of Complete Spinal Cord Injury is that there
is no voluntary motor function or conscious sensory function below the injury site. Another definition is that the patient does not have sensory and motor function at the S4 / 5 level.

Incomplete - The ASIA impairment scale provides three different definitions of Incomplete:

Sensory but not motor function is preserved below the injury site
Motor function is preserved and more than half of the key muscles below the injury site are impaired
Motor function is preserved and at least half of key muscles below the injury site are impaired

Understanding terms like Complete and Incomplete is helpful but having someone on your side who really understands the issues surrounding Spinal Cord Injury is essential. If you live in the Lafayette area and you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury contact an Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Attorney at Truitt Law Offices.

Side Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries

2010-01-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

Aside from the initial pain, loss of sensation, and limited functionality caused by a spinal cord injury, several side effects can be caused by spinal cord injuries. Long-term medical issues can range in severity and be disruptive to your life, and the lives of your family and friends.

Spinal cord injuries resulting in decreased mobility or paralysis can, over a long period of time, result in deep vein thrombosis. This in turn can lead to blood clots, and ultimately to strokes. Additionally, the inability to move can lead to bedsores or ulcers on the buttocks, hips, and heels. Painful muscle spasms and disfiguration can also be caused by long periods of immobility. Depending on the damage done, physical therapy may be an effective tool against immobility.

Because your spinal cord houses the nerves for your entire body, every muscle, and gland in your body can be adversely affected by spinal cord injuries. Damage to nerves controlling the abdominal region can result in a loss of bladder and bowel control. Damage to nerves regulating breathing can result in decreased capacity to breathe. Damage to nerves responsible for sexual organs can result in sexual dysfunction. Over time, these things can lead to reliance on permanent medical intervention from respirators, to colostomy bags.

Spinal cord injuries cause immediate pain, and long-term issues that can make life difficult and frustrating. They can also result in oppressive medical expenses, both in the short-term, and for the life of the injured. Most spinal cord injuries are caused by traumatic accidents, often at no fault of the injured. These costs, both physical and monetary are terribly unfair for the victim to assume.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and have suffered a spinal cord injury through no fault of your own, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Jobsite Accidents Resulting in Spinal Cord Injuries

2010-01-11T12:47:00.001-05:00

Jobsite spinal cord injuries can be broken down into three primary types:

Contusions – The most common type of spinal cord injuries, contusions are bruises on the spinal cord and result in temporary debilitation of the various motor functions. The most common causes of contusions are falls, slips, and any number of industrial accidents that can cause blunt force impact to the spine.
Compression – Almost as common as contusions, compression can occur when a blunt impact causes the spine to twist or turn beyond its normal range of flexibility, or when a blunt force impact causes the spinal discs to compress. For example, a fall onto the sacral spine can create an impact that crushes the vertebrae. As with contusions, any number of industrial accidents can cause spinal cord compression.
Lacerations – Lacerations are cuts or tears in the spinal cord. Lacerations are caused when something sharp severs through one or more layers of the spinal; cord. People who work on or around sharp tools, on construction sites, or close to sheet metal, glass, or other sharp objects are susceptible to spinal cord lacerations on the job.

The long term impact of spinal cord injuries is dependent on the location and severity of the injury. Temporary loss of motor function, treatable with limited motion or back braces is common for contusions and some compression injuries. Laceration and more severe compression injuries may require longer periods of inactivity, surgery, and long term physical therapy. Because these injuries are often sustained at work, your company's workers compensation should cover your expenses.

But what do you do if your company denies your claim, or if the amount allotted is insufficient for your medical and personal expenses? In these cases, having an experienced spinal cord lawyer on your side is the most important decision you can make.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and have suffered a spinal cord injury at work, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

How to Find a Qualified Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

2009-12-23T14:58:00.000-05:00

An estimated 11,000 individuals suffer from a spinal cord injury every year. Automobile accidents account for over 40% of all spinal cord injuries, followed closely by falls, gunshots, and diving accidents. Sports related accidents account for a number of injuries each year as well. 53% of injuries occur in people aged 16 to 31, a group young enough to suffer the long term impacts of spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries can negatively impact your quality of life; almost certainly in the immediate aftermath, but often for years to come as well. Medical costs associated with the initial treatment and long term rehabilitation is never inexpensive, and the result of these costs can be devastating. In addition, symptoms that include loss of basic motor function or even breathing on your own can permanently impair your ability to enjoy their life.

An experienced lawyer, one with sufficient expertise and a proven record in dealing with spinal cord injuries, is incredibly important to have in your corner. Insurance companies, workers compensation, and liability companies do best when they remain unchallenged; but your quality of life depends on your ability to obtain a settlement that covers your continued medical expenses, and provides you with the peace of mind that you can provide for yourself and your family.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and have suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the experienced, professional lawyers at Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

2009-12-16T14:57:00.000-05:00

The symptoms of spinal cord injuries depend on the location and severity of the injury. An injury to your cervical or upper thoracic area may result in loss of functionality in arms, neck, head, and breathing muscles. Injuries to the lower thoracic, lumbar, or sacral area can result in loss of functionality in the abdomen, legs, genitals, bowel, and bladder. The severity of the symptoms will rely on how much damage has been done. For example, if your spine is only partially injured, your spine will still be able to transmit some messages to your brain, a function completely disrupted by complete injury will result in the message never being received.

Typical symptoms of all types of spinal injuries include:

Pain
Loss of sensation
Limited or impaired movement
Difficulty breathing, or painful breathing
Decreased sexual functionality
Decreases in bowel and bladder control

Again, the symptoms are reliant on the location and severity of the injury, but all spinal cord injuries will result in one or more of these symptoms to varying degrees.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe you are suffering from spinal cord injury, no matter the severity, please contact your physician immediately for a physical examination to determine if treatment is necessary.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and have suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

How to Deal with Severe Spinal Cord Injury

2009-11-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

Severe spinal cord injury as the result of an accident can impact your life in ways both small and large. Initially, the injury can result in pain, and loss of motor functionality. In turn, your ability to work, your quality of life, and your capacity to perform basic tasks can be destroyed.

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, an experienced doctor will be able to determine the type, location, and most effective method of treatment. Treatment can range from limiting mobility to back braces to surgery. After the initial period of inactivity, a range of long term treatment options may be necessary for complete recovery. These can include physical therapy, continued limitation of activities, and pain management through the use of prescriptions. In all, the medical expenses related to spinal cord injury can be oppressive and overwhelming.

If you have been involved in an accident that resulted in spinal cord injury, it is important to contact a lawyer with sufficient experience in dealing with these injuries to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Eliminating the burden of medical bills, and providing you with comfort and security while you fully recover is a priceless benefit.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and have suffered a severe spinal cord injury through no fault of your own, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Traumatic Accidents and Spinal Cord Injury

2009-11-18T17:14:00.000-05:00

Your spinal cord is a delicate, double layered tube that extends from your first lumbar vertebra to the base of your brain. Your spinal cord has three layers, an outer layer consisting of nerve fibers that control your body's reaction to sensory stimuli like heat, pressure, and pain. The outer layer sends signals to your muscles and glands so they can react accordingly to each sensation. The middle layer contains the cerebrospinal fluid, and the inner layer forms sheets that project away from the cord between the pairs of nerve roots. Your spinal cord is the very center of your central nervous system, containing all nerve roots, and responsible for every sensory stimulation.

Traumatic events like automobile accidents, slip and falls, and acts of violence can damage your spinal cord with mild results such as temporary loss of feeling, or extremely serious and potentially deadly permanent paralysis. Secondary medical issues that can arise include atrophy, venous thrombosis, and even death. Only 50% of spinal cord injury sufferers regain complete function and feeling in their body. Compression caused by blunt force impact, contusions caused by head on impact, and lacerations from projectiles or incision are all possible causes of spinal cord injury.

A slippery stairwell at work, a faulty chair, another's reckless driving, any number of events can cause an accident that results in a spinal cord injury. The initial costs of hospitalization, and diagnosis, coupled with the long term costs of rehabilitation and recovery can be devastating. That's why it's imperative that you have an experienced spinal cord lawyer on your side.

If you or a loved one live in the state of Indiana and have suffered a traumatic accident resulting in a spinal cord injury, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Central Cord Syndrome

2009-10-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is a type of spinal cord injury caused by an accident or traumatic event that damages the spine, resulting in impaired motor functionality in the upper extremities. CCS is defined by its disproportionate impairment of upper versus lower extremities, but can also be marked by a loss of bowel and bladder control.

The type of injury that causes CCS damages the nerve fibers that carry information from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. The severity of the damage done will directly impact the amount a patient with CCS suffers, the level of treatment required, and the overall impact on their ability to work, and enjoy life.

Treatments for CCS include reduced activity, back braces, or surgery for severe cases. Physical therapy and prescription drugs are almost certainly part of the recovery process as well. Because the time for recovery can require immobility, your quality of life, along with your ability to provide for yourself and your family, can be negatively impacted.

The compression, contusion, and laceration injuries that can result in CCS are so often obtained at work, or through an accident, but your suffering does not decrease just because it was obtained accidentally. It is important to have a lawyer with sufficient experience in CCS on your side to ensure you are able to take the time you need to recover fully.

If you or a loved one live in Indiana and are suffering from CCS, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Spinal Cord Lacerations

2009-10-16T12:20:00.000-04:00

Spinal cord lacerations are cuts or tears within the spinal cord itself. Lacerations cause a complete loss of sensation in both the immediate area and muscles that rely on the nerves that have been severed or damaged. The area affected depends on the bundle of nerves damaged. Lacerations in the cervical spine effect head, neck, intercostals, arms, and shoulders. Thoracic spine lacerations impact chest, and external abdominal muscles. Lumbar spine lacerations can cause loss of mobility in the abdomen, legs and genitals.

Spinal cord lacerations can be caused by any number of accidents, but in over 50% of instances, automobile accidents are responsible for this type of injury. The severity of the injury is dependent on the depth and location of the laceration. In many cases, additional medical issues arise, including deep vein thrombosis, loss of bowel/bladder control, sexual dysfunction, seizures, and even death.

Treatments for spinal cord lacerations are costly and time consuming. During the periods of inactivity, your ability to work and take care of yourself and your family will be limited or impossible. Physical therapy to restore feeling and functionality is often a life-long process, consuming hours each week, with no guaranteed results. Worse still, these life-altering conditions are often the fault of an on the job accident, or the reckless and negligent behavior of someone else. In these cases, it is imperative that you have an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer on your side.

If you or a loved one live in the state of Indiana and have suffered a spinal cord laceration injury, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Spinal Cord Compression Injuries

2009-09-28T15:32:00.001-04:00

Spinal compression is caused when too much pressure is placed on the spinal cord. Compression injuries usually occur in the two bottom vertebrae of the thoracic spine and the top vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Trauma to the spinal cord from a fall, car accident, and sports related accident, or any event that causes stress to push the spinal cord beyond its normal range of flexibility can result in a spinal cord compression injury.

The symptoms of spinal cord compression injuries range from sever pain in your legs and back, to numbness in the area surrounding the injury. Because spinal cord injuries cause damage to the nerve bundles protected by the vertebrae, the damage can extend beyond the immediate area and into corresponding areas of the body. Your doctor will be able to determine the severity of your injury with a physical examination and various diagnostic tests.

Most spinal cord compression injuries can be treated with decreased activity and spinal bracing. In some cases surgery may be required. In any case, the necessity for decreased activity can negatively impact your ability to provide for your family. The medical bills associated with diagnosis and treatment, combined with the cost of prescription medications can quickly add up, leaving you and your family buried under a mountain of debt. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can help you get the settlement you deserve to protect your family, and allow yourself time to heal.

If you or a loved one live in the state of Indiana and have suffered a spinal compression injury at work, or through no fault of your own, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Spinal Contusion Injuries

2009-09-14T15:29:00.000-04:00

A contusion, or bruise, on the spinal cord cannot only be painful, it can interfere with basic motor functions, may cause a loss of sensation below the injury, and a host of other related medical problems. A spinal contusion causes bleeding within the spinal cord that can damage neurons, leading to problems that well outlive the bruise itself. Depending on the location, spinal contusion can interfere with the function of muscles as varied as the intercostals, arms, legs, neck, and head.

Spinal contusion is diagnosed with the help of x-rays and MRI. Depending on the loss of sensation and other symptoms, your doctor will have a general idea of what portion of the vertebrae has been damaged. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and can range from rest, to physical rehabilitation. Your doctor will best be able to determine what course of treatment will be most effective for you.

Spinal cords can be bruised due to a number of incidents including car accidents, work related accidents, sporting injuries, even acts of violence. In several cases the injuries are a result of someone else's negligence, and the price paid by the victim often lasts a lifetime. Loss of function, inability to work, and increasing medical bills are a high price for anyone to pay.

If you or a loved one live in the state of Indiana and have suffered spinal contusion because of someone else's negligence, please contact the Truitt Law Offices for an initial consultation.

Welcome

2009-06-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

Truitt Law Offices in Indiana should be your first and only call for all personal injury related lawsuits.