Can I Sue for Syringomyelia Caused by an Accident?

Syringomyelia refers to a condition of the spinal cord, which is a column of tissue that runs from your brain to your lower back. This tube-like structure is responsible for transmitting nerve signals from your brain to other parts of the body. When there is trauma that results in a spinal cord injury, it can cause a cyst to develop on the spine, which is known as a syrinx.

A spinal cyst can be attributed to several causes, including tumors and growth of brain tissue into the spinal cord (Chiari malformations). But some people are diagnosed with syringomyelia after they are injured from a fall or a car accident. Others injure their spine at work and eventually develop painful symptoms that are signs of syringomyelia.

Keep in mind that syringomyelia takes time to develop after an accident. That’s why regular appointments with your doctor are important if you have any type of injury to your spine. Symptoms that indicate the development of a syrinx include:

• Deterioration or weakness of the muscles
• Pain in your neck, back, and arms
• Headaches 
• Loss of or reduced reflexes
• Lack of sensitivity to pain or changes in temperature
• Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine)

Some cases of syringomyelia do not require treatment, as the cyst is causing little to discomfort. But all cases should be monitored, as the cyst can cause serious problems if it grows larger. At that point, the normal flow of spinal fluid is interrupted because of pressure from the syrinx on the spine. This can cause severe health complications, like paralysis.

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Car Accident 
Resulting in Syringomyelia

Spinal cord damage is a common injury among those who are in a car crash or any other accident involving a motor vehicle. These patients must be carefully monitored, as they may develop syringomyelia and other conditions that compromise their quality of life.

As we stated previously, this is not a condition that you will notice right away. It can take months before you experience symptoms like loss of reflexes, and abnormal curvature of the spine. Failure to treat the problem can limit your mobility and even cause death if the cyst extends into the brain. Early intervention is the key to treating the illness successfully, which may include surgery to relieve the pressure on the spine.

Syringomyelia after a Slip and Fall Accident

Slip and falls are another category of accidents that can cause blunt force trauma to the spine and/or brain stem. Fall accidents are extremely common in both residential and commercial properties, though they are easily prevented. Unfortunately, negligence by the people in charge of the property create hazards that cause people to fall down and hurt themselves.

Those who develop syringomyelia after a slip and fall end up with medical expenses, lost income, and other problems they should not have to deal with. This is why victims should contact a slip and fall lawsuit attorney as soon as possible. Our legal experts can help you file a claim and receive compensation from the responsible party.

Workplace Accidents that Cause Spinal Injuries

An accident at work can also cause syringomyelia when there is an injury to the brain or spinal column. Those who were injured within the scope of employment are generally eligible for workers’ compensation. This is a benefits system provided by the state of California, though you will need to submit a claim through your employer. If you quality for WC, you can receive payments such as temporary disability, cost of medical expenses, and wage replacement for up to two-thirds of your gross wages.

A workplace injury lawyer is here to help if you have questions of concerns about a claim for syringomyelia after a work-related accident. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule a free case review.

How can I Sue for Syringomyelia after an Accident?

Accidents can happen for all sorts of reasons, but most incidents could have been prevented had people exercised reasonable care, like following traffic rules and cleaning up spills from the floor. If you were diagnosed with syringomyelia because of negligence by another individual or entity, you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

A syringomyelia after an accident lawsuit attorney can educate you on your rights and the process of suing for monetary damages, like medical costs, lost wages while you are out of work, and pain and suffering. With decades of experience in personal injury lawsuits, including spinal injury accident claims, you count on us to secure the highest possible settlement for you and your loved ones.

Time Limit to File a Spinal Cord Damage Lawsuit

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit for syringomyelia caused by an accident. The date of injury usually refers to the accident date, but things are more complicated when it comes to a spinal cyst. This is an injury that may not be diagnosed for many weeks or months following a fall accident, car collision or workplace accident. So, you may need to base the statute of limitations on the date of discovery, i.e., when you found out about the injury.

Don’t worry if you are confused about the deadline to file a spinal cord damage lawsuit. Our lawyers can help you with this issue, along with any other questions you have about the legal process.

How Much Time Do I have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Reporting the accident / injury to your employer is the first step in a WC claim, which you must do within 30 days of the incident (or date of diagnosis). This will initiate a claim with your employer’s WC insurance provider. You will also receive paperwork that must be completed in order to process your claim. The claim itself has to be filed within 1 year of the accident, so this is a shorter deadline compared to a personal injury lawsuit.

Syringomyelia is a complex injury that is often misunderstood. That’s why you may have problems getting the full range of benefits you are entitled to from a workers’ compensation claim. A work accident injury lawyer can help you get results if you are having disputes with your employer’s insurance company.

Contact Kenmore Law Group

The attorneys of Kenmore understand how an accident affects your health and finances. Furthermore, we know that getting justice can be very challenging for those who are not familiar with the legal system. Our law firm is here for you every step of the way, so contact us and schedule a free consultation.

We are more than prepared to represent your interests if you are the victim of injuries that were caused by someone else. As part of our services, we will take your case on contingency, meaning you pay $0 upfront to hire a spinal cord injury lawsuit attorney. Once we obtain your settlement, a portion of it will go towards our expenses. What happens if we don’t win? The Zero Fee Guarantee is there from day one, so you are not responsible for any legal fees if you don’t get paid from a successful lawsuit.

Contact our office today and learn about your rights and legal options from a lawyer that can sue for syringomyelia and other spinal cord conditions.