Spinal cord injuries currently affect about 250,000 to 400,000 individuals in the U.S. More than 40% of spinal cord injuries result from motor vehicle accidents, but there are other causes. As many as 7,800 new spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. each year.

The average annual cost of health care and living expenses for a person with a spinal cord injury ranges from the tens of thousands to more than a million dollars, and more than a million for lifetime expenses.

September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.

A spinal cord injury can lead to litigation, and awards or settlements often are very large. Attorneys, physicians, insurers, employers, and other potential parties to litigation need to understand the types of lawsuits and other liability issues that may arise in connection with spinal cord injury litigation.

Arbitration or mediation may be required by contract or statute, may be mandated by the court or, in some circumstances, may be the appropriate method for a negotiated resolution.

The following are reasons why the attorney, physician, insurer, or employer would want to reach settlement, and not take the action to trial.

The following are reasons why the attorney, physician, insurer, or employer would want to take the action to trial.

How much have juries awarded and what settlements have been reached recently in cases involving spinal cord injuries?

This section provides detailed medical information on spinal cord injuries (SCI), the spinal cord, risk factors for SCI, causes, resulting damage, complete and incomplete injury, symptoms, diagnosis and testing, and treatment. The section also discusses the patient’s prognosis and ability to work after the occurrence of an SCI.

Provided is a listing of law and medical resources for further information on spinal cord injuries.