Respiratory Complications Caused by Spinal Cord Injury and Trauma

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are devastating events that can significantly affect a person’s life. Beyond the loss of mobility and function, SCIs often lead to serious respiratory complications. These complications can be life-threatening and require extensive medical intervention. Personal injury attorneys play a crucial role in advocating for individuals who have suffered SCIs and the associated respiratory issues.

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a vital communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body. It controls various functions, including the muscles responsible for breathing. When the spinal cord is damaged, these muscles may become paralyzed or weakened, leading to a variety of respiratory issues.

Common respiratory complications from spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries can lead to a wide range of respiratory complications, including:

• Hypoventilation: This occurs when the lungs are not adequately inflated and deflated, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream.
• Reduced surfactant production: Surfactant is a substance produced in the lungs that helps keep the air sacs (alveoli) open. Spinal cord injuries can impair surfactant production, leading to alveolar collapse and difficulty breathing.
• Respiratory failure: This is a life-threatening condition where the lungs cannot maintain adequate oxygen levels or remove sufficient carbon dioxide. Patients with respiratory failure may require mechanical ventilation to breathe.
• Mucus plugging: The inability to cough effectively due to weakened respiratory muscles can lead to a buildup of mucus in the airways. This mucus can obstruct airflow and increase the risk of infections.
• Atelectasis: This is a collapse of the lung tissue due to inadequate expansion. Atelectasis can occur when mucus plugs airways or when weakened respiratory muscles cannot fully inflate the lungs.
• Pneumonia: The inability to clear secretions from the lungs makes individuals with SCIs more susceptible to pneumonia, a serious lung infection.
• Pulmonary edema: Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can occur due to various factors after an SCI, further compromising breathing.
• Sleep-disordered breathing: Conditions like sleep apnea, where breathing becomes shallow or stops during sleep, are more common in individuals with SCIs.

What factors contribute to respiratory complications?

The severity of respiratory complications in SCI cases depends on several factors, including:

• Level of injury: Higher-level injuries, particularly those affecting the cervical (neck) and upper thoracic (chest) regions, have a greater impact on respiratory function.
• Completeness of injury: Complete SCIs, where all sensation and movement are lost below the level of injury, typically lead to more severe respiratory complications compared to incomplete injuries.
• Pre-existing conditions: Individuals with existing respiratory problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk of complications after an SCI.
• Management of care: Prompt and effective medical intervention, including respiratory therapy and mechanical ventilation when needed, is vital to prevent complications.

How can a Reno spinal cord injury attorney help me?

Lawyers can play an important role in helping individuals who have suffered respiratory complications due to SCIs caused by negligence. Here’s how:

• Establishing liability: Your attorney will investigate the cause of your SCI and determine if another party’s negligence was responsible. This could include car accidents, falls due to unsafe premises, or any other incident caused by the behavior of others.
• Documenting damages: Your attorney will gather medical records, doctor reports, and other evidence to document the extent of the respiratory complications and their impact on your life. This can include the need for mechanical ventilation, ongoing medical care, and lost wages due to disability.
• Negotiating settlements: At Claggett & Sykes, our Reno injury attorneys work to obtain fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical needs related to respiratory complications.
• Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys may file a lawsuit to recover damages in court.

Early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory complications after an SCI are critical to prevent long-term problems and improve your overall prognosis. Our personal injury attorneys can help ensure that you receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation services to manage your respiratory issues effectively.

Proven track record of results for spinal cord injury clients

At Claggett & Sykes, we understand the devastating impact of spinal cord injuries and the complex medical challenges they present. We are committed to helping our clients navigate the legal system and obtain the compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives.

We have a proven track record of success in securing significant settlements and verdicts for individuals with SCIs and their families, including:

• A $20 million jury verdict for a client who suffered paraplegia due to a product defect
• An $8 million jury verdict for a client who suffered spinal cord injuries and paraplegia due to a product defect
• A $4 million settlement for a client with paraplegia due to unsafe premises

We’ve also secured several multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for wrongful death due to catastrophic injuries.

Have you suffered a spinal cord injury and are struggling with breathing problems due to someone else’s negligence? Don’t face this challenge alone. The Reno SCI attorneys at Claggett & Sykes have a proven record of securing compensation for respiratory complications. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and get the fight for justice you deserve. Simply call our offices or fill out our contact form today. We maintain an additional office in Las Vegas and serve all of Nevada.