When a traumatic incident causes the cells within the spinal cord to become damaged or the nerve tracts (that communicate signals up and down) of the cord to become severed, a spinal cord injury has occurred.

The most common types of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are compression (a result of pressure on the spinal cord) and contusion (spinal cord bruising). Other kinds of injuries to the spinal cord include central cord syndrome—where specific damage occurs to the corticospinal tracts that are located in the spinal cord's cervical region—and lacerations—involving the tearing or severing of nerve fibers, which can occur, for example, from a gunshot wound.

Loss of sensation and reflex function below the injury point (affecting bowel and bladder control or breathing) and paralysis (the loss of the ability to control the muscles and voluntary movement) can be caused by severe SCI. Muscle spasms, sensitivity or pain to stimuli, and sexual dysfunction can arise, and bedsores, bladder infections, lung infections, and other secondary medical problems may also result.

The personal injury law firm of Lebowitz and Mzhen is experienced in successfully helping clients who need representation in spinal cord injury cases resulting from another's negligence or carelessness. Your initial consultation with us is free, and we would like to help you.

If you or someone you love has sustained a spinal cord injury caused by the negligence of a driver, a physician, a business owner, a hospital worker, or anyone else in the Washington D.C. area or in the state of Maryland, please call 1-888-311-HURT (4878) to speak with Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen. You can also send either of us an e-mail.