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A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries that an individual can receive. Not only is the person usually paralysed below the level of the injury; it also affects their sensation, bladder, bowel, sexual function, the ability to control their body temperature and it can cause palpable pain.

Coming to terms with a spinal cord injury can be a long Photograph of Consultant looking at xray of spineand difficult process. Having to cope also with making a personal injury claim, and all the ramifications of the legal system, can be a daunting prospect.

Alexander Harris are renowned specialists in spinal cord injury and have a dedicated team of spinal injury solicitors, who will guide you through this process and keep it as smooth and stress free as possible.

Types of Injury
The effects of a spinal cord injury will depend upon the level of the lesion (injury). There are 8 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumber vertebrae and the sacral vertebrae. The nerves that connect at the cervical and first thoracic level control the diaphragm and the arm, hand and finger muscles. The nerves that connect below the first thoracic level control the chest and abdominal muscles. The lumbar and sacral region nerves control the legs and at the sacrum are the nerves that control the bladder and bowel.

Photograph of Doctor studying xray of spineThe extent of the paralysis will depend upon the "completeness" of the injury. If the damage to the spinal cord is only partial then some of the nerves remain intact; resulting in a situation where someone retains some muscle power or sensation below the level of their injury, while losing control of other muscles or sensation.

Someone who damaged their cervical vertebrae, and therefore has some loss to all four limbs of their body is described as tetraplegic or quadriplegic. If they have no movement or sensation below the level of their injury then that injury would be described as "complete tetraplegia" or "complete quadriplegia". However if they have retained some sensation, or they have some muscle power below the level of their injury, then the injury is described as "incomplete tetraplegia" or "incomplete quadriplegia".

If the injury was below the first thoracic vertebrae, so the arms, hands and fingers are unaffected, then the person has paraplegia, which is paralysis of the lower part of the body. Paraplegia can also be complete or incomplete.

There are some common types of incomplete spinal cord injury:

If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to Spinal Injury and Spinal Cord Injury, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Spinal Injury and Spinal Cord Injury.

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