Prevention of SCI

In the great majority of cases, spinal cord injury is completely preventable. Violence, falls, vehicle accidents and sports injuries are usually avoidable when proper precautions are taken. In fact, spinal cord injury is often caused in situations where one party is negligent, reckless, or trying to harm another person. While we can't control the actions of others, we can protect ourselves in ways that reduce the likelihood that we will suffer a spinal cord injury.

Following this advice may reduce your risk of a spinal cord injury:

• Drive safely. Forty percent of all new spinal cord injuries each year are sustained in car or other vehicle accidents. Make sure that you and all passengers are wearing seatbelts each time you get in the car. Children under 12 should ride in the back seat, often in an appropriate child safety seat. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Be safe with firearms. Up to 15 percent of all spinal cord injuries are caused by knife and gun wounds in violent encounters. Gun owners should always lock up firearms and ammunition separately in a safe place to prevent accidental discharge or unauthorized use.
• Prevent falls. The most common cause of SCI in people over the age of 65 is falls. To prevent SCI, use a stool or stepladder to reach objects high above. Install and use handrails along stairways. Use nonslip mats on tile floors, tubs and showers. Block stairs and windows with safety barriers to prevent children from falling.
• Be cautious while playing sports. As many as eight percent of spinal cord injuries are sustained during sports activities. In prevention of SCI, always wear safety gear and check water depth before diving into any body of water.
• Drink responsibly or not at all. Alcohol use is a factor in 25 percent of all spinal cord injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered spinal cord injury in a preventable accident, you may be entitled to lifetime benefits for your losses and suffering. Please contact our experienced SCI attorneys today for an evaluation of your case; we are here to listen to your story and determine the best way to help you. M