Some injuries are painful and inconvenient but only cause temporary issues. Other injuries are likely to produce lifetime medical and financial challenges. Spinal cord injuries fall into that second category of catastrophic, life-altering injuries.
Currently, medical science does not have the ability to cure spinal cord injuries. Even in cases with incomplete injuries, people may experience lifetime impairment and increased medical expenses. Complete injuries generally do not respond to treatment, although regular medical care may still be necessary.
Given that they cause a lifetime of medical complications, spinal cord injuries also tend to cause a lifetime of increased costs. What are the main expenses associated with spinal cord injuries?
1. Ongoing medical care
People who sustain spinal cord injuries often need immediate trauma care. The first year after an injury can easily result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses or even more.
People tend to have thousands of dollars in increased costs annually for the rest of their lives. Spinal cord injuries necessitate various forms of medical support including physical therapy to retain muscle tone and connective tissue function in affected body parts.
2. Accommodation expenses
Individuals with spinal cord injuries often require mobility assistance devices, such as wheelchairs. They also often need specialized vehicles or modified vehicles for safe transportation.
In fact, they may need to make significant adjustments to their homes to safely use the bathroom and get around in their living space. It can cost thousands of dollars to make a home or a vehicle accessible, and people may need to make those adjustments every time they acquire a new vehicle or move to a new home.
3. Lost earning potential
Some people have to leave lucrative professions because of the limitations caused by spinal cord injuries. Others can continue their careers but may not be able to develop them as much as they may have hoped. Spinal cord injuries often have a chilling effect on career development and may limit people’s income for the rest of their lives.
Recognizing how expensive spinal cord injuries can be may help people seek the proper compensation for their losses after a car crash. Those with catastrophic collision injuries often need to look into more than just insurance given the scope of their potentially life-long financial consequences.