Spinal Cord Injury Statistics
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Each year, there are approximately 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury in the U.S.
Why do they happen? Who are the victims? How many recover, and how many end up paralyzed?
The following sobering statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center sheds more light on this. They are drawn from an analysis of spinal cord injuries occurring since 2010.
The Victims
- 64% non-Hispanic White
- 23% non-Hispanic Black
- 10% Hispanic
- 2% Asian
- 1% Other
- .5% Native American
The rate of spinal injury to black Americans is very disproportionate to the percentage of the population they represent. While 23% of spinal cord injuries affect black Americans, they comprise just 12% of the total U.S. population. In addition:
- Four in every five spinal cord injuries occur in men.
- The average age of the victim is 42.
The Causes
Not surprisingly, car accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injury. They account for of 38% of spinal cord injuries. Other common causes:
- Falls (30%)
- Assault (14%)
- Sports (9%)
The Recovery
- The average stay in the intensive care unit of a hospital following a spinal cord injury is 11 days.
- This is followed by an average of 36 days of rehabilitative care.
- About 30% of victims will be re-hospitalized within a year of the injury.
- Less than 1% of victims will be completely neurologically recovered when discharged from the hospital.
One year after the injury, only 12% of spinal cord injury victims are employable. This is a testament to the severity of the emotional, physical and financial suffering spinal cord injuries cause.
The Cost
- Researchers determined that the cost of treating a spinal cord injury can be upwards of $1 million in the first year alone if a person suffers full tetraplegia (paralysis of all limbs; also called quadriplegia.)
- Lifetime costs, in 2014 dollars, can approach $5 million if the tetraplegia occurs at age 25.
- Even injuries that don’t cause paralysis can cost more than $1 million to treat over the course of a lifetime.
We Are Brain Injury Attorneys
For the past 40 years, the Brain Injury Law Center has built a nationwide reputation for handling personal injury cases involving brain and spine injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI or spinal cord injury, contact us at (757) 244-7000 to speak with an attorney about your situation. Consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Call a Railroad Accident Attorney Today
Attorneys at the Brain Injury Law Center keep a close watch on railroad safety violations and are well aware of the vast damage a train wreck can cause – both in property damage and in the cost of human lives. We know the factors that cause railroad and train accidents and we know who is responsible and how to punish them in a court of law. Whether you are a railroad employee injured during the operation of a train or an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time, you should contact the Brain Injury Law Center today to learn more about ways you can achieve compensation for a railroad or subway accident.
Notable Recoveries for TBI Victims
Suffering brain injury is serious and can be life-changing. The attorneys at the Brain Injury Law Center have helped numerous clients with proving their cases successfully.
Here are just a few of our notable recoveries:
Summary: A woman suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle accident caused by a defective tire tube. Both the motorcycle dealer and the tire manufacturer agreed to settle.
Summary: This case involved a man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury during a fall.
Summary: A jury reached a verdict of more than $10.22 million in a case brought against Werner Transportation on behalf of a woman who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in a crash. This was believed to be the largest-ever personal injury verdict in Norfolk, VA.
24/7 Case Review At No Cost
If there is potential compensation available that could ease your financial burden and aid in your recovery, you need to seek it.
Contact the Brain Injury Law Center today at (757) 244-7000 or by using the form on this page for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.
