Tips for minimizing your risk of a spinal cord injury

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association has found that many spinal cord injuries can be avoided by taking precautions during sporting activities, recreation and at work.

Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries

• Always wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines at work.
• Learn to lift heavy object properly to protect the spine.
• Wear a seatbelt when operating an automobile and never drive or ride with anyone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Always wear a helmet during sporting activities such as:
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Skating or rollerblading
• Hockey
• Football
• Baseball
• Horseback riding
• When operating a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter or skateboard
• Practice good posture and exercise regularly.
• Contain firearms, unloaded in a secure location. Keep ammunition in a separate place.
• Wear non-slip shoes to prevent falls.
• Install handrails and rubber matting in shower areas to prevent falls.
• Check water depth before diving into a body of water.
• Place children under 12 in the backseat to avoid air bag injuries. Always place children in child safety seats.

Although there isn’t a cure for spinal cord injuries, preventative measures can reduce the likeliness of injury.

For additional information, Think First, the National Injury Prevention Foundation has a wealth of information on spinal cord injury prevention. They provide fact sheets as well as additional information and resources for spinal cord injury prevention.

If you have experienced a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Get connected with experienced personal injury and disability attorneys by completing our short questionnaire.

Tips for Pursuing a Successful Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident and are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, one of the most important ways to help your case is to collect and preserve evidence of the accident and the conditions that led to your injuries.

Listed below are some key ways to collect and preserve evidence after a slip and fall accident:

Return to the scene of the accident or send a trusted friend or family member, if your injuries prevent you from traveling and document the conditions of the accident scene, paying special attention to factors that contributed to the fall

• Document the injury with doctor’s reports and photographic evidence of the injury
• Obtain a copy of the police report for the accident
• Locate witnesses of your accident, or those who have witnessed similar accidents in the same locale

Learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit.