Instead of traveling cross-country to the renowned Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at the University of Maryland, Olympic swimmer and six-time gold medalist Amy Van Dyken-Rouen has opted to continue recovering in her hometown from the back injury she sustained earlier this month in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident during a personal trip in Arizona.
No word yet on whether Van Dyken-Rouen and her family will consult a personal injury attorney as a result of the ATV mishap, which severed the athlete’s T11 vertebra and nearly resulted in a fatal rupture of her aorta.
The swimmer, 41, is married to former Denver Broncos punter Tom Rouen. She’s a native of Colorado and checked into that state’s private, not-for-profit Craig Hospital, which specializes in the treatment of spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
It may be too soon to tell whether Van Dyken-Rouen will make a full recovery from her injuries.
“I feel great,” the swimmer told The Denver Post after arriving at Craig Hospital on June 18th. “I can definitely feel the thoughts and prayers” of fans and supporters.
But she also reported having “no feeling” in her legs.
Approximately 12,000 Americans a year sustain spinal cord injuries, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center in Birmingham, Ala. When those injuries happen as the result of someone else’s negligence, it is imperative to consult with a personal injury attorney in order to ensure victims receive appropriate protections and compensation.
If you live in Maryland and would like a free consultation with a personal injury attorney, please contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick. We also serve clients in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.