Before anyone talks about numbers, the most important step is building a record. In the hours and days after a suspected spinal cord injury, focus on:
- Get medical care immediately and follow discharge instructions closely.
- Ask providers to document neurological findings (movement, sensation, reflexes) and the suspected cause.
- Keep copies of ER paperwork, imaging reports, and rehab plans.
- If the incident involved a vehicle, preserve incident and witness information (and note where evidence may exist—dash footage, traffic cameras, business security systems).
Why this matters locally: in Texas, insurers often compare your timeline to the incident details. If symptoms are minimized in early records or follow-up care is delayed, you may face disputes about causation and severity.


