Hawaii Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Basic Information

"Spinal cord injury" (SCI) is a term used to describe any injury involving the nerves within the central canal of the spine. The spinal cord works together with the brain to control the central functions of the body. The central canal of the spine is filled with bundled nerve fibers connected to the brain which are responsible for the body's ability to feel, move and perform functions such as breathing and walking. These nerves are protected by bone segments called the vertebrae or spinal column. Loss of function following an SCI depends on the location and seriousness of the impact on the vertebral column.

What types of SCI are there?

Paraplegia is a form of injury to the nerves of the central canal that usually results from an injury to the lower part of the spinal column- such as the thoracic or lumbar region. The paralysis that results from paraplegia generally affects just the legs and/or lower parts of the body. On the other hand quadriplegia is a form of SCI that usually results from an injury to the central canal in the upper part of the spinal column - such as the cervical region (the neck). Quadraplegia generally affects both the arms and legs - although it may cause more disability on one side of the body compared to the other. A spinal cord injury, depending on where it is occurs, will affect the movement and sensation of particular parts of the body or lead to a complete loss of movement and/or sensation in those areas. Most SCIs, like paraplegia and quadraplegia, are very serious conditions that require permanent care and life-long support. There are many causes of paraplegia and quadraplegia that are preventable.

Leading causes of SCI include vehicle crashes, violence, falls, and sports. Depending on the location of the spinal cord injury the patient can become permanently paralyzed. An injury causing paraplegia allows just forty percent of the patients to return to their jobs and one causing causing quadriplegia allows only about thirty percent of the patients to return to their jobs eventually. In addition to the pain and suffering which a spinal cord injury can create, an SCI can create large financial problems for the patients and their families.

The Deadline to File an SCI Claim

The deadline for filing most Spinal Cord Injury claims in court in Hawaii is two (2) years from the date when (a) the victim was exposed to the danger and (b) SOME injuries resulted therefrom. The time may NOT be measured as two years from when the injuries actually became full-blown - if that is later. It should be noted, however, that there are exceptions to this rule - for example, claims against the State of Hawaii may have to be filed within two (2) years of the date of the accident - regardless of when or how the injury manifests itself. Claims against the City and County of Honolulu and the various other Counties should generally be filed with the appropriate agency within six (6) months of the date of the accident. You must file your claims in court prior to the expiration of such deadlines, or your claims may be lost — regardless of their merit. To be wise, it is recommended that you contact an attorney immediately after such injuries occur - please do not hesitate to :

Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Hawaii now for a free evaluation of your case.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) - Hope

Medical advances have made it possible for many of those with spinal cord injuries to live an essentially normal life span, and to lead a full, meaningful and productive life. Inevitably, however, SCI superimposes special considerations on the routine activities of life, and activities that might once have been easy can in many cases be considerably more difficult. There are additional medical and nonmedical problems that individuals with SCI face as they age and wise medical and nonmedical counsel will help the SCI victim to tackle the challenges of health, the social support system, aging and finances.

Unquestionably, spinal cord injuries change lives. Our clients with SCIs and their families often must deal with permanent disabilities that may require significant medical and legal needs. Injury Lawyer Hawaii William H. Lawson consults with medical doctors, other lawyers, therapists, support personnel and others to assist our injured clients with making decisions relating to both medical treatment and legal issues. We work with victims and their families to determine the need for further medical evaluation of their physical conditions as well as the psychic trauma that often accompanies spinal cord injuries, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias or other anxiety disorders.

An experienced spinal cord injury attorney will properly investigate an accident to identify the parties responsible for causing a SCI. A dedicated spinal cord injury attorney will seek the damages to which the SCI patient and his family are entitled. Because a SCI can drastically alter a person's life and since the majority of patients suffer the accident at a young age, there is much at stake and multiple issues must be addressed.

There is hope for those who suffer SCIs. Such patients are thrown into a world of sudden and overwhelming change. They start from trauma and confusion, their vision of the future challenged to the core, but ultimately arrive at a place in which each of them in their own way has made the "adjustment to disability." This is a place of re-employment, renewed family life and dreams for the future. The tough part is what lies in between - the actual journey to adjustment, acceptance, meaning, and possibility. Having the resources to cope with the process and obtaining the information on what steps to take is the lifeline that can help SCI patients return to productive, healthful lives.

For further information about spinal cord injuries: you may wish to contact:

the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

To confer with a spinal cord injury attorney, please Contact Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Hawaii now for a free evaluation of your case.