Spinal Cord Injuries from Construction Accidents | Causes & Impacts [2024 Guide]

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility or sensation.

This essential organ in the central nervous system transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, inciting sensory information and deploying motor controls to different parts of our bodies.

When it’s injured, it can disrupt these signals, leading to various degrees of impairment.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Various events and accidents can result in spinal cord damage.

From blunt force trauma to sharp, piercing injuries, a lot of different accidents could lead to brain and spinal cord injuries.

Causes of SCIs include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: The leading cause of SCIs are car, motorcycle, or bicycle accidents.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: These accidents are common causes of spinal cord injuries among senior citizens.
• Violence: Violent brawls or fights involving guns could lead to a severe SCI if the head receives a heavy blow.
• Sports-Related Injuries: High-impact and physical sports like football, rugby, or basketball can lead to SCIs.
• Recreational Activities: Similar to sports injuries, recreational activities involving high physical activity could lead to a heavy blow on the head and result in SCIs.

While head trauma is the biggest cause of SCIs, these injuries could also stem from non-traumatic causes like cancer, arthritis, meningitis, osteoporosis, congenital defects, and spinal cord infections.

Different Types of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are classified into different types, depending on the severity of the injury or the area where the injury occurred.

Different types of SCIs include:

• Complete Injury: A complete injury means the injury causes catastrophic damage to the spinal cord, causing a permanent loss of certain body functions or control.
• Incomplete Injury: In contrast, incomplete injury means the accident caused partial damage to the spinal nerves or spinal column, leading to temporary or long-term loss of body functions.

Classification of SCIs include:

• Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
• Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury
• Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury
• Sacral Spinal Cord Injury

Depending on the severity and the location of the damaged part, a spinal cord injury could lead to paralysis.

Paralysis can include:

• Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): Affects all four limbs and the torso, usually resulting from an injury to the spinal cord’s cervical (neck) region.
• Paraplegia: Affects the lower half of the body, typically resulting from an injury to the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) regions.

Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Injury

Diagnosing a spinal cord injury involves a three-way approach.

It starts with physical assessment, imaging tests, and neurological tests to confirm and assess the severity of the damage.

Diagnosis can include:

• Initial Physical Assessment: The physician will check for dysfunctions in motor and sensory function. They will also look at the cause of the accident, the patient’s risk factors, and other factual medical evidence to confirm SCI.
• Imaging Tests: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most effective imaging techniques for identifying SCI. Physicians may pair this test with X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans.
• Neurological Examination: Physicians also use the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale to grade the severity of the injury based on motor and sensory functions.

Treatment Options for Spinal Cord Injury

Treatment for SCI aims to manage symptoms, prevent further damage, and enhance the quality of life.

Physical and occupational therapy are the most well-known treatment procedures for SCIs, but the options are more than that.

Options include:

• Surgery: Surgeries are requested to remove bone fragments, foreign objects, or herniated disks or to stabilize the spine.
• Medications: Steroids, such as methylprednisolone, can reduce inflammation. Analgesics are also recommended to manage pain, and antispasmodics to control muscle spasticity.
• Rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapists help SCI patients regain daily living skills and improve mobility and strength.

For patients suffering from a complete spinal cord injury, assistive devices like wheelchairs are needed to regain mobility.

Spinal Cord Injuries in Construction Accidents

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a significant concern in the construction industry due to the hazardous nature of the work environment.

Construction sites are filled with several working hazards.

Despite adequate safety protocols, accidents of great extent could still occur.

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries in a construction site includes:

• Height-Related Falls: Working at heights is common in construction, whether on scaffolding, ladders, or roofs. Falls from significant heights can result in severe trauma to the spinal cord.
• Heavy Machinery: The use of heavy machinery like cranes, forklifts, and bulldozers increases the risk of accidents that can cause SCIs.
• Falling Objects: Tools, equipment, or building materials can fall from heights and strike workers, leading to spinal injuries.
• Slip and Trip Hazards: Uneven surfaces, debris, and wet or slippery conditions can lead to falls.
• Structural Collapses: Collapses of scaffolding, trenches, or buildings under construction can cause traumatic injuries, including SCIs.

Traumatic spinal cord injury is the leading cause of disability, accounting for 90% of the accident-related cases.

In North America, the case of traumatic SCI reaches an estimated 39 cases per million.

Occupational hazards like construction accidents and sports injuries are the primary risk factors.

It is crucial to prioritize safety protocols and provide proper training for construction industry workers.

The Long-Term Implications of Spinal Cord Injuries

While the pain and other symptoms of spinal cord injuries can be managed or improved with treatment, there is currently no cure for these injuries.

SCIs often lead to permanent disabilities and physical and mental complications that can significantly impact one’s quality of life.

Physical Implications

Although SCI is an injury of the nervous system, it can affect different organs and organ systems in the body.

Physical implications can include:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Individuals with SCIs often experience bladder dysfunction, which can lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder or the need for catheterization.
• Orthostatic Hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension, a condition characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, is common in individuals with SCIs. This occurs due to impaired autonomic control of blood pressure and reduced muscle activity.
• Pressure Ulcers: Due to prolonged immobility and lack of sensation, individuals with SCIs are at risk for developing pressure sores.
• Muscle Spasticity: Increased muscle tone and involuntary muscle movement can occur, leading to stiffness and discomfort.
• Chronic Pain: Neuropathic pain resulting from nerve damage can lead to long-lasting pain.
• Respiratory Problems: Reduced lung capacity and difficulty in coughing can lead to respiratory infections and other issues.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Constipation and other digestive problems are common due to reduced mobility and changes in diet.

Mental and Emotional Implications

The damage of SCIs extends beyond physical debilitations.

These injuries could also affect the victim’s social and emotional state, leading to different mental health conditions.

Mental implications can include:

• Depression: The dramatic change in lifestyle and the loss of independence can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
• Anxiety: Concerns about health, financial stability, and future prospects can cause significant anxiety.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The traumatic nature of the injury can lead to PTSD, with symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
• Social Isolation: Reduced mobility and accessibility challenges can lead to social isolation, further exacerbating feelings of loneliness and depression.

Ways that patients and providers can mitigate the psychological effects of SCIs include:

• Psychotherapy and Counseling: Mental health professionals can help individuals develop coping strategies and address emotional challenges.
• Support Groups: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide emotional support and practical advice.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Comprehensive rehabilitation programs that include physical, occupational, and psychological therapy can help individuals adjust to their new circumstances.

Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries in Construction Sites

Mitigating the risk of spinal cord injuries on construction sites requires a comprehensive approach that includes implementing stringent safety protocols, providing proper training, and using appropriate equipment.

Enforcing strict rules will only get you so far.

Employee obedience and knowledge are also significant contributors to mitigating occupational accidents.

Safety Training and Education

Hold safety seminars for all new workers and supplement this training with regular safety talks to reinforce awareness among all construction site workers.

The seminar should tackle proper equipment use, safe work practices, and emergency procedures.

If the employer can’t hold regular safety seminars, a daily safety and hazard update during first-day meetings reinforces the importance of safety in construction sites.

Employees operating these machinery should also receive specialized training for working at heights, handling heavy machinery, and other high-risk activities.

Fall Protection Systems

Installing guardrails around open edges and safety nets below elevated work areas can help prevent fatal fall accidents.

Employers should also invest in a quality personal fall arrest system (PFAS), which equips workers with harnesses, lanyards, and anchors to interrupt a fall.

Scaffolding is also a common cause of construction site accidents.

Employers must ensure proper installation and regular maintenance of these structures to avoid falls while working on scaffolding.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employers should provide the necessary PPE to protect workers from hazards such as falling objects, working on slippery surfaces, or working in noise-prone areas.

Personal protective equipment can include hard hats, safety glasses, earplugs or muffs, and anti-slip footwear.

Employers should also ensure that all workers are trained and knowledgeable about correctly operating machinery.

Any malfunctions or defects in equipment must be immediately reported and resolved before use.

Proper Safety Warnings and Signage

In addition to regular safety talks and training, employers should also post clear and visible signage around the construction site to warn workers of potential hazards.

These signs should also indicate emergency exits and locations of first aid kits.

Proper labeling on containers carrying hazardous materials is also essential in preventing accidental exposure and injuries.

Taking a Legal Step in Construction Accidents

If the event leading to a spinal cord injury occurs in a workplace, employees might have the right to seek fair compensation from their employers through workers’ compensation.

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees who are injured on the job.

In cases where employers don’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, employees can file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer.

Steps to take in a construction site injury claim include:

1. Seek Medical Attention: The first and most crucial step is to seek medical attention immediately after the accident.
2. Report the Injury: Report the incident to your employer as soon as possible, preferably in writing.
3. Gather Evidence: Collect evidence from the scene, including photos of any hazardous conditions, witness statements, and medical records.
4. Consult an Attorney: Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help determine your rights and options for compensation.
5. File a Claim: Depending on the situation, an attorney may advise you to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

It’s worth noting that when employees accept workers’ compensation benefits, they typically waive their right to sue their employer for additional damages.

If an employee’s injury was caused by a third party (e.g., a subcontractor or manufacturer), they may still have the option to pursue a personal injury claim against that party.

How a Construction Injury Lawyer Can Help

A construction injury lawyer can provide invaluable support to individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury on a construction site.

They can help navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation and personal injury laws, fight for fair compensation, and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and promptly.

A lawyer can also gather evidence and conduct an independent investigation to determine liability and strengthen your case.

When employers or insurance companies try to deny or minimize benefits, a construction injury lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and advocate for your rights.

TorHoerman Law: You Have a Right to a Safe Work Environment

Safety regulations are constantly evolving to keep up with the dangers of construction sites.

Employers should prioritize the implementation of these regulations and provide their workers with a safe working environment.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury on a construction site, TorHoerman Law is here to help.

Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers can assess your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our chatbot is also available for a quick case evaluation.