We know how frightening a serious accident can be, and when you’re already dealing with a traumatic event, the last thing you expect is for your condition to get worse while you’re on the way to the hospital. As a Cleveland, OH spinal cord injury lawyer, we have seen cases where the movement or handling during an ambulance ride has aggravated existing spinal cord damage, leaving clients with more severe long‑term problems than they had before help arrived. It is not just the original trauma that matters; how first responders and medical transport crews move you can influence your recovery and quality of life in significant ways.
Spinal cord injuries are already devastating, but when the injury worsens during medical transport, the legal and physical consequences can be profound. We are committed to giving our clients clear guidance when they face this circumstance and advocating for them when others’ actions have made a difficult situation worse.
How Ambulance Handling Can Worsen Injury
Not every spine injury case is the same, and transport conditions can vary widely. In some situations, an improperly secured backboard, jolting on uneven roads, or lack of proper stabilization can increase pressure on the spinal column. This can lead to additional loss of function, prolonged pain, and in some cases, complications that were not present at the scene of the original accident. These are not simply bumps along the road; they can change the course of someone’s life. However, it can be difficult to prove these cases, which is why working with a lawyer is so important.
It is also possible for aggravation to occur when responders assume that an injury is less severe than it actually is or when they focus on speed over careful movement. We have represented clients who were conscious and alert at the scene, only to find that poor handling during transfer to an ambulance worsened their condition by the time they reached the emergency department.
Recognizing When A Transport Made Things Worse
It can be hard for victims to know exactly when or how their injury was aggravated. Often, people focus on the initial event and have little awareness of what happened during transport. Some signs that the severity of an injury has increased can include sudden worsening of pain, new or intensified weakness or numbness, or dramatically reduced range of motion after arrival at the hospital. In some cases, imaging studies reveal changes that were not present earlier.
While not every unexpected change is due to transport issues, we pay close attention to the sequence of events. One of our guiding principles is that victims should never be left wondering whether better care or handling could have made a difference.
The Responsibility Of Ambulance Crews
Ambulance personnel are trained to help people in emergency situations, but they are still responsible for acting with reasonable care. Failure to use proper spinal stabilization techniques, not communicating effectively among team members, or ignoring protocols meant to protect the spine can all be grounds for legal claims if those failures make an injury worse.
We examine every available record, including emergency medical services (EMS) logs, crew statements, and medical charts to look for deviations from standard procedures. It is important to get access to these as soon as possible so that they cannot be erased. These documents can provide a window into how decisions were made and whether those decisions contributed to greater harm.
Real Impacts On Daily Life
When a spinal injury worsens, the ripple effects reach every part of someone’s life including scarring and disfigurement that is permanent. Increased disability might lead to greater dependency on assistive devices, more intensive rehabilitation, or even changes to home living arrangements. For instance, an individual who might have required minimal adaptive equipment may now need a wheelchair accessible van to continue moving freely in the community. Costs for long‑term care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications can be astronomical.
We understand that these are not abstract numbers on a page but real expenses and real quality‑of‑life issues. We also know that when someone has gone through significant additional harm because of avoidable missteps, they deserve full compensation for both past and future impacts on their life.
Why Experienced Representation Matters
Our firm brings over 80 years combined legal experience to bear on these kinds of cases. We also know what it takes to pursue meaningful results; our firm has recovered $300 million in verdicts for clients who have suffered serious injuries, including those aggravated during medical transport. We believe that a clear, thorough approach to each case enables us to represent our clients’ interests effectively and with compassion.
We also strive to communicate in a way that helps our clients understand their rights and options without overwhelming them with legal jargon. Facing the aftermath of a spinal cord injury is challenging enough without guessing about what should come next. With us, you have a team that is focused on practical progress and real results. You can focus on healing, and we will focus on the legal side of things.
We are committed to holding accountable those whose actions have made a significant injury worse and to guiding our clients through the legal process with clarity and confidence. If you or a loved one has experienced a worsening of a spinal injury during ambulance transport, Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. is here to help you explore your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started.
