According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 225,000 Americans are dealing with the effects of a spinal cord injury. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 12,000 Americans sustain a spinal cord injury each year. Fifty-five percent of these victims are between the ages of 16 and 30 — more than 38 percent of spinal injuries are the result of a car accident.

A spinal injury can result in severe respiratory problems, loss of sensory function or paraplegia. Rehabilitation can be a difficult, lengthy and sometimes lifelong process. Fortunately, advances in clinical research and biomedical engineering have yielded rehabilitation techniques that help spinal cord injury victims improve their quality of life and become more mobile.

One such technique is using a neural prosthesis, a mechanical device that mobilizes paralyzed limbs in response to a command from the brain. Also called an electrical stimulation device, a neural prosthesis allows someone with a spinal cord injury to walk, stand and grasp objects. Robotic gait training is another technique that teaches individuals to walk again.

Adaptive tech advances also available for spinal cord injury victims

Innovative technology has led to the production of wheelchairs that are lighter and more functional. Some electric wheelchairs can now easily move over uneven terrain or climb stairs — both of these advancements give individuals more mobility and independence. Computer adaptations such as voice recognition and key guards help those living with a spinal cord injury compensate for functional limitations and assist them in becoming more employable.

The cost of these breakthroughs ranges from minimal to expensive. Our knowledgeable, compassionate attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve in order to take advantage of these innovative spinal injury treatments and improve the quality of life for you or your loved one.