Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Explains Spinal Cord Structures and Injuries

As a personal injury attorney in Tampa for decades, the law firm of Clark and Martino, P.A. has experience in representing clients with spinal cord injuries. In addition to requiring a lot of expensive medical care, spinal cord injuries are often permanent and affect every area of the patient’s life.

The spinal cord is the largest nerve in your body, traveling from your brain, going down the middle of your back, and ending at your waist. At about 18 inches long, your spinal cord carries messages to and from your brain to the rest of your body. Since it plays an important role in function and survival, your spinal cord is protected by bones called vertebrae. The vertebral column surrounding your spinal cord is made up of the following bone segments:

• 7 cervical vertebrae, referred to as C1-C7
• 12 thoracic vertebrae, referred to as T1-T12
• 5 lumbar vertebrae, referred to as L1-L5
• 5 sacral vertebrae, fused together at the bottom of the spine

Underneath the vertebrae are spinal nerves which exit at different levels. These spinal nerves include:

• Cervical nerves: located in the neck; provide feeling and movement to the neck, arms, and upper trunk
• Thoracic nerves: located in the upper back; serve the trunk and abdomen
• Lumbar nerves and sacral nerves: located in the lower back; supply feeling and movement to the legs, bowel, bladder, etc.

The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma to the vertebral column. A common example of spinal cord trauma is when one or more vertebrae are fractured, dislocated, crushed, or compressed, which pinches or severs the spinal cord. More damage takes place when swelling or fluid builds up around the spinal cord.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation. First, it is important to contact a Tampa personal injury attorney as soon as possible following your injury. Call Clark and Martino, P.A., at 1-866-598-9111 to find out more about scheduling a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case.