California residents who sustain sacral spinal cord injuries due to the negligent behavior of someone else may have legal recourse. Sacral spinal cord injuries are those that occur between the lumbar spine and the tailbone.
The sacrum, which has a triangular shape, is made up of five fused bones that are numbered from S-1 to S-5. Each of the numbers refers to the nerve that is in that particular section of the spinal cord.
Injuries that occur to the sacral nerves can impact individuals in different ways. They may experience some degree of loss in the function of their legs and hips. They may also lose most or all of the voluntary control of their bladder or bowel organs; however, individuals who sustain these types of injuries can typically use special equipment to manage by themselves. Even with a sacral spinal cord injury, affected individuals are very likely to be able to walk.
Sacral spine damage does not occur very often and may only happen as a result of a serious injury, such as from some form of trauma to the area or a fall. Individuals who suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis may incur stress fractures in their sacrum.
No two patients who suffer from sacral spinal cord injuries will have the same prognosis and recovery. Factors such as the manner of injury and the degree of severity contribute to the differences in diagnosis and recovery. Another factor in the level of independence patients will have after an injury is the state of their health at the time the spinal cord injury is sustained.
A personal injury attorney may suggest certain legal remedies for clients who have sustained spinal cord injuries due to the actions of someone else. Lawsuits might be filed to obtain financial compensation for long-term medical care.