When an adult suffers a spinal cord injury, he or she usually loses the ability to do things that were once effortless. When a child suffers a spinal cord injury, this is also true. An even greater loss, however, is the fact that the child is still learning and growing — and a traumatic injury can bring development to a standstill for quite some time. The child loses opportunities to develop new skills and abilities at the pace that friends and classmates will. The child may never again have a "normal life," but instead, is likely to live a life with "special needs" indefinitely.
A very serious injury will greatly limit future possibilities in most facets of life. A small child or toddler who becomes a quadriplegic or paraplegic will not grow up to be able to ride a horse, go mountain hiking or play soccer in the ways that ordinary children can.
In addition to limiting potential, a child's serious back injury or spinal cord injury will mean that he or she will need special accommodations, such as:
- Motorized wheelchairs and other medical equipment, to be replaced periodically as the child grows.
- Home remodeling needs, such as widened doorways, lowered counters, bars installed in bathrooms and so on.
- Installed or portable ramps to allow for entry and exit from home in a wheelchair or with a walker.
A small child who is paraplegic or quadriplegic may be transported by parents from place to place. But as he or she grows, mobility will be a challenge. Parents will most likely provide personal care in the early stages, but as the child grows, he or she will need paid, personal care attendants.
Furthermore, someone living with the effects of a serious back or spinal cord injury will likely be prone to illnesses and complications such as infections and chronic nerve pain.
For all these reasons, a child spinal cord injury claim or lawsuit will require input from specialists such as life care planners and economists. Allison & Ward, L.L.P., is thorough and determined when representing child accident victims.
Austin Child Back Injury Attorney · Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A child's catastrophic injury is one of the most difficult challenges a family can face. Our Austin child back and spinal cord injury lawyers work hard to recover compensation from responsible parties, such as motorists, property owners, daycare or playground supervisors and manufacturers of dangerous and defective products. To schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Austin, call 512-474-8153 or contact us online.
