Studies show that spinal cord injuries are the leading cause of paralysis in the United States. With close to 1 in 50 people in the US living with paralysis, and nearly 13,000 new spinal cord injuries reported each year, it’s important to understand how this life-long disability individual’s lives, both financially and physically.
Financial Costs of Paralysis
There are an estimated 275,000 people in the United States currently living with a spinal cord injury. And the unfortunate truth is, this number is constantly on the rise. That being said, the medical treatment required for a paralyzed individual can become extremely expensive. Some related expenses include:
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Emergency services
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Surgery
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Hospital Stays
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Mental health therapy
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Prescriptions
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Personal care (in-home nurses)
In addition to these medical expenses, there are also lifestyle adjustments that must be made, which add up quickly. Some equipment needed to adjust to your new lifestyle may include:
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Wheelchairs
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Car modification (wheelchair ramp, large aisle, new vehicle)
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Braces and other orthoses
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Home alteration (machine to take you up your stairs, wider doorways, hardwood floors)
It’s been said that an individual suffering from quadriplegia pays an average of $1 million in healthcare in the first year following their injury.
Additional Costs
In addition to the costs stated above, the lifetime costs associated with paralysis sometimes go much further. Some may experience:
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Loss of income
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Emotional disorders
Contact Stewart Law Firm For Assistance
Paralysis has the ability to change one’s life in the blink of an eye, leaving them powerless and without a clue as to the next step to take. If you’ve been injured in an accident at no fault of your own, speaking with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney may help turn your life around and allow you to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (512)271-5112 to learn more over a free case evaluation.
