Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: Options, Costs, and Resources

• February 13, 2025
• Attorney David Mann
• Personal Injury

Anyone who has had a spinal cord injury will tell you that the rehabilitation process can be grueling and long.  The effect of a spinal cord injury can be devastating not only to the person who was injured, but on the entire family.  Depending on the type and severity of the spinal cord injury, there are different types of rehabilitation options, and the costs involved also vary.  Figuring out all of the different options can be difficult and arduous.  In this blog post, we will discuss spinal cord injury rehabilitation options, costs, and resources.  The goal is to assist in making important choices about the best options available to you and your loved ones.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

The type of spinal cord rehabilitation depends on the specific type of injury and the severity of the damage.  Rehabilitation can range from hospital rehabilitation to outpatient care.

• Hospital Rehabilitation – This is the most comprehensive care for those with spinal cord injuries and is used to help patients recover from their injuries and work toward independence.  While in hospital rehabilitation, you will get numerous types of therapies, like speech and physical therapies.
• Long-Term Acute Care – These types of hospitals are for those who have spinal cord injuries as well as other medical issues that have an effect on recovery.  Stays in long-term acute care facilities are usually longer than in hospitals and more intense medical support is provided.
• Skilled Nursing Facilities – These types of facilities care for those who have recovered enough to not need intense medical care.  The goal of skilled nursing facilities is to get the patient home as quickly as possible.
• Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs – These programs are for those who have recovered enough to go home, but still need medical assistance to become fully independent.

Costs Associated With Spinal Cord Rehabilitation

As you can imagine, there are a myriad of costs that are associated with spinal cord rehabilitation.  Extensive long-term care can be expensive, especially if insurance doesn’t pay for it.  Add to that the financial burden of not being able to work, and the costs may increase exponentially.

The total costs for rehabilitation can run in the high six figures to over a million dollars.  The major costs associated with spinal cord rehabilitation include the following:

• Medical Care – This is obviously the highest cost of spinal cord rehabilitation.  If your injuries are severe, you will endure weeks, months, or even years of medical treatments and/or surgeries, and those costs add up.  Also, in addition to spinal cord rehabilitation, you may need other medical care if your injuries had an effect on other parts of your body.
• House Modifications – if your injuries are so severe that you are confined to a wheelchair or need permanent assistance moving around your house, you may need to modify your house.  For example, if your bedroom was upstairs, it may need to be relocated downstairs, or you may need to install a chair that will move you down the staircase.
• Psychological Issues – There are also emotional and psychological costs to rehabilitating from a spinal cord injury.  Depression and anxiety are common among those who have been severely injured from an accident.  Therapy and prescription medication can also have a steep cost, adding to financial constraints.
• Long-Term Care – Your spinal cord injury may be so severe that you are in need of continued long-term care from medical professionals. You may need a visiting nurse service to come to your house.  The costs of long-term care can be very high.

The costs for rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries can cause severe financial stress.  If your spinal cord injury was caused by the actions of another person, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.  You should speak to an experienced spinal cord attorney to look at the options available to you.

You may be able to file a claim for compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and maybe punitive damages.  You don’t have to do it alone.  We can help.

Resources for Spinal Cord Injury Survivors and Families

After a spinal cord injury, it is important to know you are not alone. There are many organizations available to help your recovery, with many providing financial assistance. Those who have suffered spinal cord injuries should research these organizations to make sure they are the right fit.

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation – This organization provides informational research and, through its National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC), provides grants, advocacy programs, and more.
• Shepherd Center – Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Shepherd Center provides medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation services for many injuries, including spinal cord injuries.  Their website is full of valuable information about their treatment options and information about spinal cord injuries.
• Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission – This state-run organization provides grants for those in financial need and who have injuries to their brain or spine.  The trust fund can be used toward transportation, assistive technology, medical and rehabilitative care, and home access modifications

We understand spinal cord injuries can be complex and tremendously overwhelming. We hope that this blog post has helped you learn about spinal cord injury rehabilitation options, costs, and resources.

Contact The Mann Law Firm To Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim Today

The Mann Law Firm has been working with clients for over 30 years, many with spinal cord injuries caused by the negligence of other people.  Most of our cases involve working against insurance companies.  David Mann once worked as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, so he knows the tactics they use to settle claims for less than they are worth.  The attorneys at the Mann Law Firm truly care about our clients, and it shows through our positive testimonials.  The attorneys at the Mann Law Firm work on a contingency basis, which means we get paid only if you are compensated for your injuries.  So, call us today at (478) 742-3381.