WHAT IS THE LIFETIME COST OF MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR A SPINAL CORD INJURY?
A serious car accident can damage any part of your body, but an injury to your spinal cord can be particularly devastating. Even a minor loss of motor function can affect your career, relationships, and enjoyment in life. In addition to the emotional trauma, an SCI can cost a veritable fortune to treat.
Research published by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation shows that the first year of treatment for a minor loss of motor function costs about $347,484. The cost of medical care for each subsequent year is about $42,206.
The financial burden is much worse for patients with high tetraplegia. The first year of treatment can cost well over $1 million, and patients can expect to pay about $184,891 for each subsequent year. That means a person who is diagnosed with high tetraplegia at age 25 would pay more than $9 million in medical care by the time he or she turned 70.
Although no amount of money can undo the emotional hardship of an SCI, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, home modifications, and other damages by filing a personal injury claim. Attorney Matt Troutman can investigate your case, gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and help you fight for the maximum payout. Call 859-696-0001 today to schedule a free consultation with a Lexington personal injury attorney from the Troutman Law Office.
Let’s examine three reasons why medical care is so expensive for patients with spinal injuries:
Specialized Surgery Is Often Required to Stabilize the Patient
Treatments for spinal cord injuries have come a long way, and in some instances, there are surgeries that can restore some of the victim’s mobility. Even if this is not possible, surgery may still be necessary to stabilize the patient and prevent his or her condition from worsening.
2. SCIs Can Affect Multiple Systems within the Body
Nerves in the spinal cord are responsible for sending signals throughout the body. Damage to these nerves can affect almost any system within the body. For this reason, the symptoms of a SCI can be profoundly different from one patient to the next.
In addition to surgery and rehabilitation, the patient may require treatments for specific effects of the spinal injury. These often include inability to control the bowels, bladder incontinence, and paralysis.
3. A Person with an SCI May Require a Live-in Caregiver
While some patients with spinal cord injuries maintain a degree of mobility, others are unable to live independently. The cost of a live-in caregiver can be exorbitantly expensive.
If you or a loved one sustained a spinal injury due to the negligence of another person or organization, turn to the Troutman Law Office for comprehensive legal guidance. Matt Troutman has been a practicing personal injury attorney since 1986. He has successfully handled claims involving auto accidents, defective products, wrongful death, and other types of injury.
Call to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Lexington. If you would like to learn more about personal injury lawsuits in Kentucky, visit USAttorneys.com.