What Is the Lifetime Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe types of traumatic injuries that someone can experience.

The physical, emotional, and financial consequences of such an injury can be overwhelming, and the effects often last a lifetime.

For many who suffer a spinal cord injury, the question of what is the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury looms large. These costs aren’t just limited to the initial medical bills; but can extend into ongoing care, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and lost income as well.

Understanding these costs is crucial for those affected by SCIs, as well as those who support spinal cord injury victims.

The Initial Medical Costs

The first financial hurdle for someone with a spinal cord injury comes immediately after the injury.

Depending on the severity, initial treatment can involve emergency surgery, extended hospital stays, and intensive rehabilitation. These expenses can add up quickly.

Emergency Medical Treatment

Immediately following a spinal cord injury, the victim is going to require emergency care. They’re typically transported by ambulance or airlifted to a hospital equipped to handle such severe trauma, both services that can be costly. Next, the initial care often involves diagnostics like CT scans or MRIs to assess the damage, followed by surgeries to stabilize the spine and prevent further injury.

These medical interventions also come with substantial costs, often running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Hospital Stays and Rehabilitation

Once the injury victim has been stabilized, they’ll often require a lengthy hospital stay in a specialized facility or rehabilitation center. Depending on the severity of their injury, this hospitalization takes weeks or even months.

The goal of rehabilitation is to help them regain as much function as possible while learning new ways to live independently. The costs of this care will be significant, including daily rates for specialized rehabilitation centers.

For many, this marks the beginning of an ongoing financial burden.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injury and Their Impact

Clearly, the severity of a spinal cord injury will directly impact the victim’s lifetime costs associated with it. The level of their injury—whether it’s categorized as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or something less severe—will determine the type and extent of care they’ll need throughout their life.

Paraplegia

Paraplegia is the loss of function in the lower half of the body, typically caused by damage to the spinal cord somewhere below the chest. While some of those with paraplegia will retain the use of their upper body, they still face significant challenges in mobility issues, ongoing medical care, and the potential of secondary health complications.

The lifetime cost for someone with paraplegia varies, but for a person injured in their twenties, the lifetime cost can reach into the millions.

Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)

Tetraplegia, or quadriplegia, is the loss of function in both the upper and lower body. This type of injury, being more severe, requires extensive ongoing care, assistive technology, and significant modifications to the home.

In cases of high tetraplegia, the cost over a lifetime can be more than $5 million for someone who is injured as a young person.

Ongoing Medical Care and Treatment

After the initial phase of treatment, individuals with spinal cord injuries require ongoing medical care.

This care includes follow-up surgeries, regular doctor visits, medications, and therapy. For many, managing the long-term consequences of a spinal cord injury involves not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being.

• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Ongoing therapy helps maintain muscle function, reduce pain, and prevent deterioration. Specialized rehabilitation programs focus on building strength, improving mobility, and teaching adaptive techniques for daily tasks. The cost of these therapies is considerable and may extend throughout the individual’s life.
• Assistive Devices and Medical Equipment: Patients must often rely on assistive devices like wheelchairs, braces, and lifts to maintain mobility, as well as specialized medical equipment like ventilators for those with high-level injuries, pressure-relieving mattresses, and adaptive technologies for communication or environmental control. These must be replaced periodically, adding to the lifetime cost.
• Secondary Health Complications: Spinal injuries can often lead to secondary health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, bladder infections, and bedsores. These often require ongoing medical attention or hospitalization, adding to the financial burden of a spinal cord injury.
• Home Modifications and Living Expenses: Spinal cord injury victims often need major changes to their homes to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids; this could include installing ramps, widening doorways, lowering countertops, and installing specialized bathroom fixtures. These modifications are expensive and are usually not covered by insurance.
• Personal Care Assistance: Many individuals with spinal cord injuries require personal care assistance with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and cooking. The cost of hiring a caregiver or personal assistant can be substantial, particularly if full-time or live-in care is needed.

Loss of Income and Earning Potential

A significant, and often overlooked, aspect of the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is the impact on the individual’s earning potential. Many people with SCIs are unable to return to work, or they may only be able to work in a limited capacity. This loss of income, combined with ongoing medical expenses, creates a substantial financial burden.

Reduced Career Opportunities

Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may be unable to return to their previous jobs, particularly if the work involved physical labor, or they may need to change their careers entirely to accommodate their physical limitations. This can result in lower wages, fewer opportunities for advancement, and reduced retirement benefits.

Impact on Family Finances

The financial impact of a spinal cord injury extends beyond the individual to affect the entire family. In many cases, family members take on caregiving responsibilities, which can force them to reduce their work hours or leave the workforce entirely. This reduction in household income, combined with the ongoing costs of care, can put a significant strain on family finances.

Legal Options for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

Given the enormous costs associated with spinal cord injuries, many individuals and families turn to legal avenues to seek compensation. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice, the injured person may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

• Personal Injury Claims: In cases where the spinal cord injury is the result of an accident, victims may file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. These claims aim to recover damages for both noneconomic and economic losses from your injury, including medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• Workers’ Compensation Claims: For spinal cord injuries that occur in the workplace, workers’ compensation benefits may cover some of the medical expenses and lost wages. However, workers’ compensation may not fully account for the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury, particularly in cases of severe or permanent disability.
• Settlements and Court Awards: In many cases, injury victims can reach a fair settlement with the responsible party or their insurance company. These settlements may provide a lump sum or structured, ongoing payments to help cover the costs of care and lost income over time. When a fair settlement can’t be agreed upon, these cases can go to trial, and victims may be awarded damages by a court. The amount of compensation may vary based on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case.

The lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is significant, encompassing not only the immediate medical expenses but also ongoing care, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and lost income.

At Edwards Law Office, P.C., we understand that these financial burdens can be overwhelming for individuals and families, making it essential to understand the full scope of these costs. While no amount of compensation can undo the damage caused by a spinal cord injury, legal options exist to help alleviate the financial strain and provide the resources needed for long-term care.

Contact us today for a free consultation with an Etna spinal cord injury attorney, and together, let’s seek justice and a path forward for you and your family.