Millions of Americans suffer injuries in a wide variety of circumstances every year. Some are more serious than others. Spine injuries can leave a person permanently disabled and unable to work. In this type of situation, the injured person may be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
An injury to the spinal cord, in particular, could lead to many long-term medical issues for Californians. The primary issue for a person who suffers a spinal cord injury will most likely be a loss of mobility. Depending on where on the spinal cord the injury occurs, the person could be paralyzed from the waist down – or worse if the injury is higher up the spinal cord toward the person’s neck.
Many people may believe that a person’s spinal cord must have been severed if the person’s injury results in paralysis. However, that usually isn’t the case. In most cases the spinal cord actually remains intact, but the injury is so severe that loss of mobility and functioning results nonetheless.
The spinal cord, like the brain, is highly protected and encased in bones. It would typically take quite an impact to penetrate the protective bones that encase the spinal cord. However, car accidents or certain work-related injuries can certainly be traumatic enough to break those bones and cause damage to the spinal cord. The resulting medical expenses for treatment, therapy and rehabilitation can be significant. Social Security Disability benefits could be a crucial financial resource for a Los Angeles resident who suffers a spine injury.
Source: Shepherd Center, “Learn About Spinal Cord Injuries,” Accessed April 19, 2015
