A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a person. But not all spinal cord injuries are the same, and the type and location of your injury directly affects your prognosis, your daily life, and the value of your legal claim.
Key Takeaways
- The difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury determines whether any movement or sensation below the injury site is possible. Incomplete injuries offer more potential for recovery.
- The level of the spinal cord injury (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral) directly determines which body functions are affected and what daily life looks like after the injury.
- Injury classification affects the value of your legal claim. Complete cervical injuries require lifetime round-the-clock care, which can exceed $5 million over a lifetime.
If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury in Colorado, understanding these distinctions helps you make informed decisions about treatment and legal action.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
The most important distinction in spinal cord injuries is whether the injury is complete or incomplete:
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
A complete injury means there is no motor or sensory function below the level of injury. The spinal cord’s ability to transmit signals between the brain and the body below the injury site is entirely disrupted. Complete injuries result in permanent paralysis — either paraplegia (lower body) or quadriplegia/tetraplegia (all four limbs).
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
An incomplete injury means some nerve signals still pass through the injured area. The injured person retains partial motor function, sensation, or both below the injury level. Incomplete injuries vary enormously — some people retain significant function, while others experience only minimal sensation.
Common incomplete injury syndromes include:
- Central cord syndrome — Greater weakness in the arms than legs, common in older adults after falls or rear-end collisions
- Anterior cord syndrome — Loss of motor function and pain/temperature sensation below the injury, but preservation of touch and position sense
- Brown-Séquard syndrome — Damage to one side of the spinal cord, causing paralysis on the injured side and loss of pain/temperature sensation on the opposite side
- Cauda equina syndrome — Injury to the nerve roots below the spinal cord (not the cord itself), which can cause varying degrees of leg weakness, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and sensory loss
How Injury Level Affects Daily Life
Where on the spine the injury occurs determines what functions are affected:
Cervical Injuries (C1-C7) — Neck
The most severe level. Injuries above C4 often affect breathing, requiring ventilator support. C5-C6 injuries typically allow some arm movement but limited hand function. C7 injuries may allow modified independence with adaptive equipment. All cervical injuries affect all four limbs to some degree.
Thoracic Injuries (T1-T12) — Upper and Mid-Back
These injuries typically result in paraplegia — full arm function but varying levels of trunk control and leg paralysis. Higher thoracic injuries affect balance and core stability. Lower thoracic injuries allow greater trunk control and may permit standing with braces.
Lumbar Injuries (L1-L5) — Lower Back
Lumbar injuries affect the hips and legs but generally preserve upper body function. Some people with lumbar injuries can walk with braces or assistive devices. Bowel and bladder function is frequently affected.
Sacral Injuries (S1-S5) — Base of Spine
The least severe level of spinal cord injury. Walking is often preserved, but bowel, bladder, and sexual function may be impaired.
Medical Fact
An incomplete spinal cord injury means some nerve pathways below the injury site remain intact. Patients with incomplete injuries may retain partial movement, sensation, or both. The ASIA Impairment Scale (A through E) classifies the degree of completeness and is used by medical teams and legal experts to project long-term outcomes.
How Injury Type Affects Your Legal Claim
The type and level of your spinal cord injury directly impacts your claim in several ways:
Lifetime Care Costs
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the estimated lifetime costs for a spinal cord injury vary dramatically:
- High tetraplegia (C1-C4): First-year costs average $1.15 million; each subsequent year averages $199,000
- Low tetraplegia (C5-C8): First-year costs average $840,000; each subsequent year averages $122,000
- Paraplegia: First-year costs average $560,000; each subsequent year averages $74,000
For a 25-year-old with a C5 injury and a 40-year life expectancy, estimated lifetime costs exceed $5.5 million — and that does not include lost wages or non-economic damages.
Life Care Planning
Every spinal cord injury claim should include a comprehensive life care plan. This document, prepared by a certified life care planner in consultation with your medical team, projects all future costs:
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, cushions, standing frames)
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Attendant care and personal assistance
- Follow-up medical care (urologist, physiatrist, respiratory)
- Medications and supplies
- Psychological and vocational counseling
Lost Earning Capacity
Spinal cord injuries disproportionately affect working-age adults. Only about 35% of spinal cord injury survivors are employed 20 years after injury, compared to roughly 65% of the general population. Your claim should reflect not just current lost wages but the full impact on your lifetime earning potential.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Colorado
- Motor vehicle accidents — The leading cause nationwide, accounting for nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries. High-speed collisions on I-25, I-70, and I-225 are particularly dangerous.
- Falls — The second most common cause, including workplace falls from height, slip and falls on icy Colorado sidewalks, and falls from recreational activities
- Acts of violence — Gunshot wounds and assaults account for approximately 13% of spinal cord injuries
- Sports and recreation — Diving accidents, skiing and snowboarding crashes, and ATV rollovers are common in Colorado
- Medical errors — Surgical mistakes during spinal procedures, failure to diagnose spinal compression, or improper patient handling can cause preventable spinal cord damage
Damages Fact
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the average first-year costs for a high cervical (C1-C4) spinal cord injury exceed $1.1 million. Lifetime costs for a 25-year-old with the same injury can exceed $5 million. These figures are admissible in court and form the basis of life care plan evidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an incomplete spinal cord injury get worse over time?
In some cases, yes. Secondary complications like syringomyelia (fluid-filled cysts in the spinal cord), chronic pain syndromes, and progressive joint deterioration can worsen function over time. This is why ongoing medical monitoring is essential and why your legal claim should account for potential deterioration.
Is there a difference in claim value between complete and incomplete injuries?
Generally, complete injuries result in higher claim values because lifetime care costs and functional limitations are greater. However, some incomplete injuries — particularly those involving severe chronic pain or significant but unpredictable limitations — can also result in substantial claims. Every case is evaluated individually.
How soon after a spinal cord injury should I contact an attorney?
As soon as possible. Evidence preservation is critical in spinal cord injury cases — accident scene evidence, vehicle data recorders, surveillance footage, and witness memories all deteriorate quickly. An attorney can also protect you from early insurance company tactics while you focus on initial recovery and rehabilitation.
What if my spinal cord injury happened at work?
You may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim against a third party (such as a negligent driver or equipment manufacturer). These claims are separate and can be pursued simultaneously. An attorney experienced in spinal cord injuries can coordinate both to maximize your total recovery.
Can children recover from spinal cord injuries better than adults?
Children sometimes show greater neurological recovery than adults, particularly with incomplete injuries. However, children face unique challenges: their growing bodies require frequent equipment adjustments, they face decades of potential complications, and the injury affects their educational and social development. Claims for children typically involve significantly higher lifetime costs.
