July 2, 2025 | Personal Injury
When people hear “spinal cord injury,” they usually imagine total paralysis. But there’s a wide range of outcomes, and not all involve complete loss of movement. Some people lose sensation, while others deal with pain, spasms, or loss of bladder control.
Individuals who end up with these injuries often don’t see them coming. One minute, you’re commuting on I-81 or working a shift at the warehouse. Next, you could be facing months, maybe years, of recovery. Regardless of how “minor” the injury is, it can become a major life disruption.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Every spinal cord injury falls into one of two categories: complete or incomplete. A complete injury means there’s no movement or feeling below the injury point. It’s like the nerves have been cut off from the brain entirely. These injuries are often permanent.
On the other hand, an incomplete injury means there’s still some communication between the brain and the body. That might mean some movement, some feeling, or both. Recovery is possible, but it depends on the damage and how fast treatment starts.
Car crashes are one of the most common causes of both types. High-speed collisions, especially rear-end impacts, can jolt the spine hard enough to cause severe damage instantly.
Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral Injuries
Where the injury occurs on the spine matters just as much as the type. The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain all the way down the back and is divided into sections.
Cervical spine injuries affect the neck area. These are usually the most serious. They can lead to quadriplegia, which is the loss of movement in all four limbs. Something as simple as falling down icy steps in the winter can cause this kind of trauma.
Thoracic injuries happen in the upper and mid-back. They often affect the chest and legs. Someone might still have use of their arms but lose mobility below the waist.
Lumbar injuries are lower down and can lead to loss of leg function and bladder or bowel issues. These are common in workplace accidents, especially in jobs involving lifting or heavy machinery.
Sacral spine injuries impact the hips and pelvic organs. While these may not always involve paralysis, they still bring serious complications, especially when they involve nerve damage.
Secondary Issues Can Make Situations Worse
It’s not just the initial injury that causes problems. Secondary complications can pile on fast. Pressure sores, infections, blood clots, and chronic pain often show up after the fact. Sometimes, the spinal cord isn’t even physically severed and is instead bruised or compressed, but the damage still unfolds slowly over time.
Rehab centers see secondary complications often. Someone walks into the hospital thinking they pulled something. A few days later, they can’t stand without help. What started as a “minor” injury ultimately changed their life.
When Someone Else’s Negligence Is Behind Your Spinal Injury
No one chooses to live with a spinal injury, and in many cases, the damage wasn’t even caused by anything the injured person did wrong. It could’ve been caused by a distracted driver, a faulty ladder, or an employer who skipped safety checks. Spinal injuries often come down to one person’s carelessness hurting someone else.
Legal action is as much about accountability as it is about getting the money needed to deal with the injury. It’s about making sure the person or company responsible doesn’t get to shrug it off because the injured person doesn’t get that luxury.
Contact Our Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries force people to rethink everything. The physical pain is real, but so is the mental toll. Relationships shift, finances are strained, and time doesn’t stop while recovery drags on. For people facing that new reality, knowing the different types of spinal injuries is the first real step toward figuring out what comes next.
If you’ve experienced a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, call the personal injury lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC today to schedule a free consultation.
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Scranton
436 Spruce St Suite 100, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Kingston
183 Market St #200, Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Berwick
120 W Front St, Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 714-4878
