Living with a spinal cord injury could pose many challenges

Spinal cord injuries can affect the lives of victims in different ways, depending on the location and severity of the damage. Car accidents are often the cause of these injuries, and if the negligence of one or more drivers caused the crash, victims might have grounds to pursue damage recovery. However, if the victim is from British Columbia and was travelling in Washington state, the resulting cross-border personal injury claims could be a confusing mix of legal and insurance concerns.

Spinal cord injuries affect each victim in unique ways, and ensuing legal proceedings will be complicated because they may involve the laws of both countries. Depending on the location of the injury, some victims might learn to live with and adjust to the consequences of the injuries. Still, others might be unable to return to work and live independently. Some aspects of their lives could be permanently changed, such as working, driving, playing sports and even maintaining relationships with family and friends.

Spinal cord injuries could cause paraplegia, which involves paralysis of the legs if the damage occurs in the middle area of the back. However, if the spinal cord is damaged in the neck area, all four limbs and the chest area could be paralyzed — known as quadriplegia. In some cases, living facilities need modifications to allow wheelchair access and free movement.

Ongoing therapy might be required, and along with medical bills, the costs of a wheelchair and other medical devices, and the lack of wages could severely impact the victim’s finances. Anyone in British Columbia who faces life in a wheelchair after a car accident south of the border will likely benefit from the skills of an experienced cross-border personal injury lawyer. Legal counsel can significantly increase the chances of recovering current and future physical and financial damages.