Massachusetts Medical Malpractice – Cervical Injury
The cervical spine consists of the seven vertebrae in the neck, which are separated by disks. These disks serve as cushions in between the vertebrae. They have three main functions: allowing extension of the neck, absorbing shock, and connecting the vertebrae to one another. A cervical injury can occur from car accidents, sports, or any other trauma-related occurrence. The victim of a cervical injury must seek immediate attention because this injury is severe and life-threatening. As with any other injury to the spine, the person’s ability to function normally is at risk.
The symptoms of a cervical injury are noticeable. If the disks are injured in any way, the pain may be constant and last for a long period of time. Whiplash occurs when ligaments in the cervical vertebrate are stretched or torn beyond their normal range of motion, and this will cause a neck sprain. The occurrence of whiplash is defined as when the head moves suddenly in one direction and recoils in another, causing the neck to be forced beyond its normal range. Most cases are caused by a hit from behind in an auto accident. Victims tend to experience many symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, pain in the shoulder, and between the shoulder blades and pain in one or both arms. Additional signs are sleep disturbance, poor concentration or memory, or a sudden onset of ill–temperament or depression. Whiplash can be much more serious than people tend to believe; in fact, many victims never fully recover from it.
In some cases, complications arise when the cervical spine snaps. The most frightening consequence and, thankfully, one of the rarest, is internal decapitation. This occurs when the skull completely separates from the spinal column. Although there have been survivors of internal decapitation, it is extremely rare to survive such a trauma. Another major complication is when the cervical spine is injured so severely that the victim is paralyzed. Unfortunately, this happens quite often. The victim will feel a loss of sensation either in the lower body or both the lower and upper body. This results in the inability to use the arms or legs as well as the inability to move the torso and perform regular bodily functions normally.
Treatment varies based on the severity of the injury and symptoms the victim presents. For the luckiest survivors of a cervical spine injury, treatment will be immobilization of the area and rest for weeks to months. In the most severe cases, the victim will become a quadriplegic. S/he must receive constant care from nurses, whether living at home or in a rehabilitation facility. A daily routine must be established and committed to every day. For example, with bathroom concerns, the person must train her/his body to have a bowel movement at the same time each day. In addition, rigorous physical therapy must be undertaken so muscles do not deteriorate due to atrophy. In the worst-case scenario, the victim will die as a result of their injury.
Find Out If You Have A Medical Malpractice Injury Case
If you believe you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice, you should talk to an experienced lawyer about your case. Parker Scheer lawyers have successfully negotiated and tried dozens of Massachusetts medical malpractice and personal injury cases, recovering millions of dollars for their clients. Please contact us for a free confidential case review and receive a response within hours, or call (617) 886-0500 866–414–0400. If you need a lawyer outside of Massachusetts, Nevada, please contact us for a referral.
