In recognition of September as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, Dick Freeburn of Freeburn Law recently joined host Amy Kehm on ABC 27’s Good Day PA to shed light on some statistics regarding the devastating and potentially life-altering effects a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can have on a person. You may view the segment below:
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) has released a 2018 report on Spinal Cord Injuries. The organization—funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)—operates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The Root Causes of SCIs
According to the NSCISC, Spinal Cord Injuries result from the following causes:
- 38% from Vehicular Accidents
- 32% from Slip-and-Fall Injuries
- 14% from Acts of Violence
- 8% from Sports-Related Injuries
- 5% from Surgical Malpractice
- 4% from Unspecified Causes
The current U.S. population is estimated at 327 Million. The NSCISC indicates the annual occurrence of SCI in the United States is approximately 54 cases per million—or nearly 17,700 new cases of SCI annually. They indicate roughly 288,000 people in the U.S. are survivors of SCI in some form. The effects include both Tetraplegia—paralysis of all four limbs—and Paraplegia—paralysis of the legs and lower body.
The Lasting Effects of SCIs
Among those who suffer SCIs, the long-term prognosis breaks down as follows:
- 47% suffer from Incomplete Tetraplegia
- 20% suffer from Incomplete Paraplegia
- 20% suffer from Complete Paraplegia
- 12% suffer from Complete Tetraplegia
- 1% make a Full Recovery
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a Spinal Cord Injury, call the experienced Pennsylvania spinal cord injury attorneys at Freeburn Law for help at 717-777-7777.
When you call, you’ll speak with a leading Harrisburg serious injury lawyer for FREE. Freeburn Law will fight hard to seek the justice and the compensation you deserve after an injury. Just call the 7’s for help at 717-777-7777 or 570-777-7777. There is no attorney’s fee due up front, and we only get paid after you do.