National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month 2025
Understanding SCI Awareness and Prevention
Whether or not you know someone in your life with a spinal cord injury (SCI), you probably know that this type of injury can drastically impact one’s life and ultimately take away their ability to walk, move, and live independently.
According to 2018 data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC), anywhere between 247,000 and 358,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the condition. Additionally, there are about 17,700 new cases of SCI each year, and one person every 48 seconds who becomes paralyzed in the U.S.
In 2014, the U.S. Senate designated September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness for those living with SCI and the need for better treatments and prevention.
Causes of SCI
About 90% of all cases of SCI are the result of totally preventable accidents. Specifically, statistics from the NSCSC site the following causes of SCI:
- Vehicular accidents (38.3%) - the leading cause of SCI; includes car collisions, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents
- Falls (31.6%)
- Violence (13.8%) - this includes all types of physical violence, including assaults and gunshot wounds
- Sports injuries/recreational activities (8.2%) - includes trauma related to sports accidents and other activities
- Medical/surgical (4.6%) - some types of surgery or medical treatment can lead to SCI
- Other (3.5%) - any other causes not listed above
Updated Statistics and Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries remain a critical public health issue, with the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reporting approximately 18,000 new cases annually in the United States. These devastating injuries frequently result from preventable incidents, with vehicular accidents accounting for nearly 40% of all SCI cases according to recent data. During this SCI Awareness Month, it's crucial to recognize that most spinal cord injuries occur due to others' negligence--whether in car crashes, truck accidents, or preventable falls.
Our Chicago personal injury law firm has witnessed firsthand how these injuries transform lives, often requiring lifelong medical care and adaptive living arrangements. Understanding these statistics helps highlight the importance of both prevention and legal protection for victims. The leading causes of spinal cord injuries have remained consistent, with falls representing over 30% of cases--particularly among older adults--while violence and sports injuries contribute significantly to the annual SCI rates. What makes these figures particularly troubling is that nearly all spinal cord injuries are preventable with proper safety measures and responsible conduct.
As we observe SCI Awareness Month in 2025, we emphasize that many injury victims have legal rights to compensation when their injury results from another party's careless actions. From inadequate property maintenance leading to falls to distracted drivers causing roadway accidents, negligence plays a substantial role in SCI cases. Recent research indicates that improved safety technologies and awareness campaigns have helped stabilize SCI rates despite population growth. During National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, healthcare advocates and legal professionals collaborate to promote both prevention strategies and support systems for those living with these injuries.
At our firm, we've helped numerous clients navigate the complex aftermath of spinal cord injuries, securing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury due to someone else's actions, understanding your legal options represents an important step toward recovery and justice.
Steps You Can Take
When it comes to spreading awareness SCI, there’s something that everyone has the ability to do. Here are some individual steps that you can take to make a positive impact during National SCI Awareness Month:
- Donate your money or your time. If you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, you can make volunteer at charity events or make donations to numerous organizations that support those living with SCI, such as:
- Spend time with someone with SCI. One of the most impactful ways we can make a difference is to be open to hearing the stories of those living with the condition, having a meaningful conversation about their accomplishments, and letting them know you are there for them.
- Share information and resources. Social media is a fast and easy tool that you can use to spread awareness about SCI and share resources and statistics about the condition. You can follow some of the organizations we listed above and share their posts so that others can learn more about SCI, too!
By taking these seemingly small steps, you have the ability to raise awareness and even potentially reduce the number of future SCI cases that occur each year. If you or someone you know has been impacted by SCI, McNabola & Associates may be able to provide legal assistance if the injury was the result of an accident.
Learn how our firm can help you and your family. Contact McNabola & Associates at (312) 888-8700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case review.