The spinal cord acts as a conduit between the brain and the rest of the body, transporting neurological impulses to sense the world, move, and carry out parasympathetic (unconscious) functions. Damage done to the spine can impact any and all of those areas.

The spine is divided up into four parts. The area that starts at the top of the spine–from where the skull meets the spine, down to the neck–is known as the cervical spine. Heading down from the neck through the chest area, the next four vertebrae comprise the thoracic spine. Moving down the back, the next five vertebrae comprise the lumber spine. Finally, the last five vertebrae heading down to the coccyx comprise the sacral vertebrae. Spinal cord injuries can impact any or all of these regions.

Spine injuries are regarded as complete or incomplete. This designation has less to do with the severity of the symptoms than it has to do with the damage done to a particular region of the spine. In a complete injury, the brain’s neurological signals cannot pass beyond the damaged area. In an incomplete injury, some of the signals can pass.

Nearly half a million people in the United States suffer from spinal cord injuries; and around 10,000 people every year are added to this list.

The Seattle, Washington spinal cord injury attorneys here at the Bernard Law Group can help victims of spinal cord injury press for damages against liable parties. These damages can compensate for medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, trauma, and other various and sundry costs. Dial us today to learn more at 1-800-418-8282, or browse WashingtonSpinalCordInjuryAttorneys.com to gain more information about what typically causes these injuries and what can be done to repair them.