192.735.  Definitions. — As used in sections 192.735 to 192.745, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall mean:

  (1)  "Brain injury" or "traumatic brain injury", a sudden insult or damage to the brain or its coverings, not of a degenerative nature.  Such insult or damage may produce an altered state of consciousness and may result in a decrease of one or more of the following:  mental, cognitive, behavioral or physical functioning resulting in partial or total disability.  Cerebral vascular accidents, aneurisms and congenital deficits are specifically excluded from this definition;

  (2)  "Department", the department of health and senior services;

  (3)  "Spinal cord injury", an injury that occurs as a result of trauma, which may involve spinal vertebral fracture, and where the injured person suffers two or more of the following effects either immediately or within forty-eight hours of injury:

  (a)  Effects on the sensory system including numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the body or in one or more extremities;

  (b)  Effects on the motor system including weakness or paralysis in one or more extremities;

  (c)  Effects on the visceral system including bowel or bladder dysfunction or hypotension.