A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating health complications anyone can face. It’s bad enough when it happens in an accident, but when it’s caused by a mistake made by a healthcare provider, the aftermath can feel even worse. People trust doctors and hospitals to give them the proper care, and when that trust is broken, the results can be life-changing.
A medical error can turn a routine procedure into a lifelong struggle. When your doctor, nurse, or surgeon makes a mistake that involves your spine, it’s possible that the damage can’t be undone. If you’ve been hurt in this way, you need to understand how these injuries happen and what legal options you have.
Table of Contents
How Medical Errors Lead To Spinal Cord Injuries
Doctors and surgeons make mistakes more often than most people realize. When a patient’s health is on the line, they’re expected to know what they’re doing and do it well. Of course, even the most skilled surgeon is only human, which means that not all slip-ups count as negligence.
However, while some mistakes cause minor problems, others can lead to serious and permanent harm. When the spine is involved, the risks are dramatically higher.
Surgical Mistakes
Every surgery requires a steady hand and extreme precision, but that’s even more true for procedures that involve the spine. If a surgeon makes a wrong move, they can cause damage that leads to chronic pain or paralysis. Mistakes like improper incisions, misplaced hardware, and nerve damage can have lifelong consequences for the patient.
Improper Spinal Injections
Epidurals and other injections have to be done extremely carefully, and the damage can be serious when it’s not done correctly or when the spine itself is hit. Some patients suffer serious nerve damage or paralysis from a single mistake.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia is an important part of almost every type of surgery, but it has to be given carefully. Should an anesthesiologist inject it incorrectly or not pay attention to the patient’s vital signs during the surgery, the spinal cord could be damaged. In some cases, patients wake up with permanent weakness or loss of movement.
Delayed Or Misdiagnosis
Infections, tumors, and other conditions need to be treated quickly. Timely treatment might mean the difference between recovering and being left with a lifelong disability. When a doctor fails to give the correct diagnosis in time, the problem can get worse and cause severe damage to the spine.
The Impacts Of SCIs
Spinal cord injuries affect every part of a person’s life. While the physical consequences are obvious, it’s easy to overlook the mental and financial tolls of medical mistakes, which can be just as heavy.
Physical Challenges
Because of the nature of spinal cord injuries, many SCI victims are left to deal with partial or complete paralysis. Even those who do retain some movement might struggle with chronic pain, loss of sensation, and weakness in their muscles. Simple tasks become difficult, and patients often need help with everyday activities.
Mental And Emotional Struggles
A sudden, life-changing injury can easily lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and just sheer frustration. It’s never easy to adjust to a new reality, especially when the injury didn’t have to happen. A lot of patients feel anger towards the medical professionals who failed them.
Financial Burden
The cost of medical treatments, rehab, therapies, and adaptive equipment can add up fast. Many people can’t return to work in the same capacity (or even at all, in some cases), which makes it hard to stay financially stable. An SCI can potentially cost a victim millions of dollars over a lifetime.
What To Do After Suffering A Spinal Cord Injury From Medical Negligence
If an SCI happens because of a medical mistake, it’s critical that you take the right steps in the aftermath. It can feel overwhelming, but by focusing on justice and recovery, you can regain control of your life.
Even if the damage doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, it’s important to get proper treatment for it. Some spinal injuries get worse over time, so early intervention can make a huge difference in the ultimate outcome. Ideally, you should go to a different provider and talk to them about your situation. They can offer a professional opinion on whether negligence led to your injury.
Keep records and notes of all of your medical visits, treatments, and conversations with the doctor who caused the injury. Write down anything that feels off because those details could become crucial evidence later.
Holding a negligent medical provider accountable isn’t just about being compensated for your individual losses. It also involves getting justice and lessening the chances of the same thing happening to anyone else. Victims deserve support for the expenses they rack up after an injury, and speaking to a medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your next steps.
We’ll Help You Move Forward After A Preventable Spinal Cord Injury
No one should have to suffer a spinal cord injury because of a medical mistake. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, Dont hesitate to contact us today or call WGK Personal Injury Lawyers at (410) 837-2144 to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
