Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are serious injuries that can affect victims in a variety of ways. These injuries can range from minor bruising that has only a temporary impact on a person to catastrophic damage that causes paralysis or death.
It’s estimated that around 296,000 people in the U.S. grapple with an SCI, with an average of around 17,900 new cases yearly.
Demographic look at SCIs
Men are much more likely to suffer an SCI than women. Since 2015, approximately 78% of new SCI cases have been. Since 2015, the average age of an SCI diagnosis is 43, which is a considerable increase from 29, which was the average age of an SCI diagnosis in the 1970s.
While non-Hispanic white people account for 58.1% of all new SCIs since 2015, SCIs disproportionately affect Black people. Non-Hispanic Black people account for 24.2% of new SCIs, but account for only 13% of the general population.
Most common causes of SCI
There are several things that can lead to SCIs. The most common is a motor vehicle crash, which accounts for 38.2%. Falls follow closely behind, accounting for 32.3% of all new SCIs. Violence, sports, and medical or surgical causes are also on the list of possible causes.
Costs associated with SCIs
The cost of living with this type of injury is considerable. Ongoing medical care, treatments, and re-hospitalization can all add up quickly. Taking a look at the historical costs of SCIs show how much they can affect a person’s finances. These figures don’t account for indirect costs, which average around $78,633 per year, based on 2020 dollars.
A person with a C1 to C4 injury that causes tetraplegia will have an average first-year cost of $1,163,425 and around $202,032 per year after that. A person who has a lower-level injury that causes paraplegia has an average first-year cost of $567,011 and annual costs of around $75,112 each year after.
SCI victims who sustained their injuries because of the negligence of another person or entity may opt to pursue a compensation claim. Working with a legal representative who can assist with getting their case put together can help a victim to get the compensation they deserve.