A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating and life-changing injuries that someone can sustain. Sadly, thousands of people are diagnosed with spinal cord injuries in hospitals every year, and many more die from their injuries before they even make it to the emergency room. Take a look at these surprising spinal cord injury statistics to learn more:
The Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Over 40% of spinal cord injuries are sustained in motor vehicle accidents, which makes this the leading cause of spinal cord damage. Over one-quarter of spinal cord injuries occur during falls, which is very common among older adults. Other common causes include sports-related accidents and acts of violence.
Working After A Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord damage can severely limit your physical activity, which makes it difficult for many victims to find employment. Research has shown that nearly 58% of victims are employed at the time they sustained the injury, but only 11.5% of them are still employed one year after the injury. Many of these victims are able to find a job later on, but it may take years or even decades to get back to work.
Treatment Time
The average time that spinal cord injury victims spend in a hospital and in rehabilitation has declined since the 1970s. Victims used to spend an average of 24 days in a hospital’s acute care unit after an injury, however these days victims spend an average of only 11 days here. In the 1970s, victims spent an average of 98 days in a rehabilitation center, whereas now they are only staying for about 35 days. This statistic shows that treatment has come a long way since the 1970s, but there is still a lot of progress to be made.
Mortality Risk
People who have sustained spinal cord injuries are 2-5 times more likely to die prematurely than those who do not have spinal cord damage. Many of these deaths can be prevented if victims are quickly treated by competent medical professionals. Other deaths are caused by secondary health conditions that spinal cord injury victims often develop, including deep vein thrombosis and infections.
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, seek legal representation as soon as possible. Contact Reisch Law Firm today to speak to our personal injury attorneys about the value of your case. You can schedule a free consultation by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
