Helping Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Lawrenceville
If another person’s negligence or irresponsibility caused an accident in which you or a person you love sustained a spinal cord injury, you may have a right to obtain monetary compensation for your injuries, medical treatment, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
The experienced Lawrenceville personal injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can assess the situation, investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident, file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf, and help you pursue the compensation you need to feel whole.
Plaintiffs must file spinal cord injury claims, like all personal injury cases in Georgia, within two years of the accident date, absent very limited circumstances. If you do not submit your lawsuit within this time period, you cannot claim monetary damages arising from your injury.
Please contact us today to learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation in your Lawrenceville spinal injury case.
Knowing if You Have a Case or Not
To determine if you have a valid claim for a spinal cord injury, certain key elements must be present. Here’s what you need to establish:
- Duty of Care: The first element is demonstrating that the responsible party owed you a duty of care or an obligation to act in a manner that avoids causing harm. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
- Breach of Duty: You must show that the responsible party acted in a way that violated their duty. For instance, if a driver was texting while driving, they failed to uphold their duty to operate their vehicle safely.
- Causation: It’s essential to prove that the breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury. This involves showing that, without the breach, the injury would not have occurred.
- Damages: Finally, you need to demonstrate that you suffered damages like physical injuries, medical expenses, or lost wages, as a result of the breach. The damages must be quantifiable and directly related to the injury caused by the breach.
If you’re unsure whether your situation meets these criteria, our experienced team can help evaluate your case and provide guidance on the best course of action.
Damages You Can Recover
When pursuing a claim for a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to several types of damages to compensate for your losses:
Economic Damages: These cover tangible financial losses directly resulting from your injury. They include:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing medical treatments.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work during recovery.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Expenses related to physical therapy, home care, and specialized equipment.
Non-Economic Damages: These address the intangible impact of your injury on your quality of life, such as:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the loss of ability to participate in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for the psychological impact, such as anxiety or depression, resulting from the injury.
Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant’s actions were especially reckless or malicious, you might be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
How to Get in Touch With Us
Are you interested in getting in touch with us after you suffered a spinal cord injury? Here’s how you can connect with our team:
- By Phone: Call us directly at 404-975-2634 for assistance. Our dedicated team is available to address your inquiries and guide your case.
- Online: Visit our website and complete the contact form. We’ll respond quickly to discuss your situation and how we can help.
We offer a no-cost initial consultation to review your case and determine the best way to support you.
Brauns Law Firm: Lawrenceville Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
At the Brauns Law Firm, we’re dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by spinal cord injuries. A blend of deep knowledge, personal commitment, and active community engagement defines our approach to legal representation.
We understand that each spinal cord injury case is unique, and we tailor our strategies to fit the specific needs of our clients. Led by David Brauns, our team is known for its compassion and expertise in handling the complexities of spinal injury claims, ensuring you receive the justice and financial support you need to rebuild your life.
Choosing Brauns Law means partnering with a firm that excels in legal advocacy and cares deeply about making a positive impact on you and our community. We’re here to stand by you every step of the way, offering unwavering support and exceptional legal representation.
How Our Lawrenceville Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm Can Help
Our Lawrenceville law firm is here to provide comprehensive support for your spinal cord injury claim. Here’s how we can assist:
- Recovering Lost Wages: We help you claim compensation for your lost income due to your injury.
- Managing Medical Bills: We handle the complexities of medical expenses, including home care and specialized treatments.
- Emotional Recovery Support: We arrange therapeutic care and the necessary equipment to aid your rehabilitation.
- Loss of Consortium & Companionship: We seek compensation for the impact on your relationships and daily life.
- Pursuing Punitive Damages: When warranted, we seek additional financial relief to hold negligent parties accountable.
Our dedicated team ensures you receive thorough support and are fairly compensated for all aspects of your injury.
First Steps After Being Injured!
Immediately after an injury, it’s paramount to prioritize your health and protect your legal rights. Taking these steps can help ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Get to a hospital or emergency room as soon as possible. Spinal cord injuries require prompt medical evaluation and treatment to minimize damage and improve recovery chances.
- Attend All Medical Appointments: Follow through with all medical appointments and adhere strictly to your doctor’s advice. This includes physical therapy and any other recommended treatments.
- Keep Detailed Medical Records: Document all medical procedures, treatments, and consultations related to your injury. This will be important for your claim and recovery process.
- Avoid Social Media: Stay off social media while your case is ongoing. Anything you post could potentially be used against you by insurance companies or other parties involved.
- Refrain from Accepting Early Offers: Don’t agree to the first settlement offer from the insurance company. They often offer less than what you might be entitled to. Consult with a lawyer before making any decisions.
- Be Cautious with Communication: Be careful about what you say to the insurance company and any other parties involved. Avoid admitting fault or discussing details of your injury until you have legal representation.
- Gather Evidence: Start collecting evidence related to your accident. This includes police reports, medical records, and other documentation supporting your claim.
- Contact Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys: Reach out to our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers in Lawrenceville. They can provide valuable guidance on your legal options and help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim.
- Notify Your Insurance: Inform your insurance company about the injury, but again, avoid discussing specific details or making statements that could impact your claim.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep a record of any physical evidence related to the accident, such as damaged property or photographs of the scene. This will support your case and provide a clearer picture of what happened.
- Seek Support for Emotional Well-being: Spinal cord injuries can be emotionally challenging. Consider talking to a counselor or support group to help you cope with the psychological impact of your injury.
- Follow Up on Legal Advice: Stay in regular contact with your attorney and follow their advice closely. They will guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
These steps can help you manage the immediate fallout of a spinal cord injury and set you on the path toward recovery and potential compensation.
Deadlines For a Complete Spinal Cord Injury
In Georgia, if you have a spinal cord injury and are thinking about a legal claim, it’s important to act quickly. You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.
By contacting a lawyer soon after your accident, you can ensure that all important details are collected and your claim is filed on time. Our team is ready to help you through every step and ensure that you get the justice and compensation you need.
Gathering Evidence For Spinal Cord Injury Victims
When dealing with a spinal cord injury, collecting detailed evidence promptly is vital for building a strong case. Here’s a comprehensive list of what to gather:
Police Documentation: Obtain the official accident report, including details of the incident, involved parties, and law enforcement’s assessment.
Medical Records: Secure all relevant medical documents, such as:
- Emergency room records
- MRI and X-ray results
- Surgical reports
- Rehabilitation records
- Physician’s notes and treatment plans
Eyewitness Statements: Collect written or recorded statements from anyone who saw the accident. These can provide an unbiased account of what happened.
Photo/Video Evidence: Gather visual evidence from:
- The accident scene
- Your injuries
- Any damage to vehicles or property
- Surveillance footage if available
Insurance Information: Collect details of any relevant insurance policies, including the contact information of the insurance adjusters involved.
Medical Bills: Keep a record of all medical expenses, including hospital bills, medication costs, and therapy sessions.
Work Records: Document any time off work due to the injury, including pay stubs and employer statements to support claims for lost wages.
Personal Impact Statements: Maintain a journal or diary detailing how the injury has affected your daily life, including physical, emotional, and financial impacts.
Expert Opinions: Obtain assessments from medical professionals, such as specialists in spinal cord injuries, to provide expert opinions on the nature and extent of your injury.
Gathering this evidence is essential but can be overwhelming, especially while managing a serious injury.
Our experienced team will handle the evidence collection and case preparation, allowing you to focus on your recovery, no matter the severity of the injury. Call us today
What Can I Expect to Pay?
We understand that financial concerns can add to the stress of dealing with a spinal cord injury. That’s why we use a contingency fee model, which means you don’t have to pay any upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case.
Our fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive, so you can focus on your recovery without worrying about legal costs. This approach ensures that our interests are aligned with yours—securing the best outcome for you is our top priority.
Why Choose Us Over Other Lawrenceville Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys?
We stand out from the rest by combining deep expertise with an unwavering commitment to our clients. Our team is distinguished by its thorough understanding of spinal cord injuries and their long-term implications, ensuring that we advocate effectively for the compensation you deserve.
We offer compassionate, hands-on support throughout the legal process, leveraging our extensive experience to navigate complex medical and legal challenges. Our proactive approach includes collaborating with top medical experts and working tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
When you choose us, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re gaining a dedicated partner in your recovery journey.
Locations We Serve
Our commitment to providing exceptional legal support extends beyond Lawrenceville. No matter where you are located, our experienced team is ready to assist you with the same level of care and expertise.
Discover the various locations we serve below and see how we can support you wherever you are.
- Atlanta
- Cumming
- Decatur
- Duluth
- Gwinnett County
- Lawrenceville
- Peachtree Corners
- Stone Mountain
- Suwanee
Medical Treatment Following a Spinal Cord Injury
The location of a spinal cord injury dictates the nature and severity of the symptoms the victim experiences. As soon as you sustain a back or spinal cord injury, it is common to receive immediate emergency transportation and medical care.
A healthcare provider should diagnose your condition accurately and perform imaging studies (such as X-rays or MRIs) to determine the injury’s location and extent. They can then provide you with the necessary medical treatment that you require.
Many spinal cord injury victims require hospitalization where medical professionals can monitor the injury and its effects. Doctors can try to control swelling or perform surgery to prevent permanent complications or impairments whenever possible.
During treatment, some patients will experience temporary paralysis, which might be partial or total. For some, this paralysis will be a permanent and disabling condition that will change the course of their lives, requiring ongoing medical care and equipment.
While the treatment for a spinal cord injury will be determined based on the specific circumstances of a particular patient, one thing is certain – the treatment will be costly.
Cervical Injuries to the Spinal Cord
The vertebrae closest to the head and neck region comprise the cervical area of a person’s spine, also called C1 through C7. The cervical spine is located closest to the brain and an injury sustained there can have a serious impact, potentially resulting in the inability to move the parts of your body located below the neck and shoulders.
An individual who sustains a cervical spinal injury could experience limited sensory or physical functions, among other serious complications. In some cases, an accident victim may require 24-hour supervision in a long-term care facility for the remainder of their life.
Thoracic Injuries to the Spinal Cord
The vertebrae located along the middle of the back comprise a spine’s thoracic region. The nerves found in vertebrae T1 through T5 affect the middle of the back, upper chest, and upper abdominal muscles and control the diaphragm, lungs, breathing muscles, and rib cage.
Individuals who sustain an injury to the thoracic spine may develop paraplegia and lose functionality in their lower back muscles, abdominal muscles, and legs. However, their hands and arms may function normally still.
Lumbar Injuries to the Spinal Cord
The vertebrae closest to the hips and legs make up a spine’s lumbar region, also known as the lower back area. Because this area of the spine carries the majority of a person’s upper body weight, the lumbar spine vertebrae are larger than the vertebrae in the cervical and thoracic areas of the spine.
If a person sustains a lumbar spinal cord injury, the victim may lose some ability to function in the legs or hips, although control over the body’s upper portions will be left intact. A lumbar spinal injury may prevent a victim from controlling their bowels or bladder without the help of specialized equipment.
Sacral Injury to the Spinal Cord
The triangle-shaped sacral region of a person‘s spinal cord can be found just below the lumbar spine and just above the tailbone. The nerves in this spinal cord region affect a person’s pelvic organs, sex organs, bowel organs, and bladder functions.
An injury to the sacral spine may result in a victim losing the ability to function in some areas of the legs and hips. Sacral spine injuries are relatively rare and do not typically occur unless the victim sustains trauma directly to that area (something that can happen in a slip and fall accident).
Complete and Incomplete Spinal Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury is the most traumatic, causing permanent damage to the affected area of the spine. For example, the tetraplegia and paraplegia conditions of paralysis are the result of a complete spinal cord injury.
An incomplete spinal cord injury, on the other hand, occurs when there is only partial or incomplete damage to an area of the accident victim’s spinal cord. If the damage does limit sensory function or motor control, the extent of the injury, as well as the victim’s pre-existing medical history, general health, and ability to undergo rehabilitation, dictates the extent of the limitation.
Your lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and determine your eligibility for recovering monetary compensation via a personal injury claim or lawsuit arising from your spinal cord injury.
If you or someone you care about has sustained one or more of these spinal injuries, you should speak with a knowledgeable Lawrenceville spinal injury lawyer at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC as soon as possible.
Types of Accidents that Can Lead to Spinal Cord Injuries
Some of the most common types of accidents that can lead to a spinal cord injury include:
- Motor vehicle collisions – Motor vehicle collisions often cause an accident victim to move back and forth abruptly in his or her seat, which can sometimes result in a whiplash injury to the cervical spine. A car accident victim may also sustain a lower back injury to the lumbar spine after experiencing this type of violent movement.
- Slip and fall accidents – Slip and fall accidents can occur both indoors and outdoors and typically happen when a property owner fails to protect visitors against unsafe and dangerous conditions. If a person falls backward after unknowingly walking into such a hazardous condition, they may sustain a spinal cord injury.
- Construction accidents – Construction jobs are inherently dangerous and often require individuals to work from heights, such as from ladders or scaffolding. When a worker lands on their back after falling to the ground, the worker may sustain a severe spinal injury.
If another person’s negligence caused an accident in which you or someone you care about sustained a spinal cord injury, the experienced Lawrenceville spinal injury lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you pursue the compensation that you need to recover from the physical and emotional damage of your spinal cord injury.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim or Lawsuit Arising from a Lawrenceville Spinal Cord Injury
If you sustained a spinal cord injury while working at your job and within the scope of your employment, you may file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits that are available through the State Board of Workers‘ Compensation.
As a result of your claim, it is possible to be awarded compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses, medical bills, and a portion of your lost wages.
If you did not sustain your spinal injury while you were working, you may file a third-party personal injury claim against the individual or entity that caused your accident.
Another person or entity’s negligence is the basis for this type of claim, and you must show that the at-fault individual or entity behaved unreasonably in the given circumstances and prove that this breach in the standard of care led to an accident that proximately caused your spinal cord injury.
If you can meet the legal elements of a third-party personal injury claim, you may pursue damages for medical expenses, lost wages, inconvenience, pain and sustaining, emotional distress, loss of spousal support, loss of use of a body part, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Lawrenceville Spinal Cord Injury FAQ
Spinal cord injuries can be excruciating and sometimes result in long-term and permanent injuries. However, these injuries are not always evident right away. The nature and extent of a spinal cord injury may not become apparent for several days or even weeks after an accident. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the Georgia statute of limitations applies to spinal cord injury cases.
Generally speaking, absent some very limited exceptions, accident victims have two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit stemming from their injury. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time period, you give up your legal right to pursue and recover monetary compensation from your accident.
An experienced Lawrenceville spinal cord injury attorney at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC will promptly file any claim or lawsuit on your behalf to ensure that you comply with the applicable two-year statute of limitations, and to ensure that you can pursue monetary recovery for the spinal cord injury (along with any other injuries) that you sustained in your accident.
In terms of seriousness, the cervical area of an accident victim’s spinal column is the most sensitive, because it is closest to the neck and the head. This area of the spinal cord makes up the vertebrae numbered C1 through C7.
Since the cervical area is closest to an individual’s brain, a cervical injury sustained in an accident can have grave consequences. For instance, a victim of a cervical spinal injury may suffer from tetraplegia or quadriplegia, which are two types of paralysis.
In addition to suffering from paralysis, a cervical spinal cord injury victim may have limited sensory abilities. In other cases, the accident victim may have to undergo a significant amount of physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation to gain back some or all of their pre-accident abilities.
Cervical spinal injuries can be so severe that the accident victim is required to spend the remainder of their life in a nursing home or long-term care facility, where the accident victim is under constant medical supervision.
A lumbar spinal cord injury is a spinal cord injury that occurs on the lower portion of the spine. It typically affects the person’s lower back region, where they carry the most amount of weight. The vertebrae located in the lumbar spine are much larger than the vertebrae that exist in the thoracic and cervical regions of the spinal cord.
In cases where an accident victim suffers an injury to the lumbar spine, they may have some limited functionality in the hips or legs. Moreover, the accident victim may no longer control their bladder or bowels without the aid of a medical device. In the worst cases of lumbar spine injuries, accident victims may have to spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair or another device to assist with their mobility.
An injury to the thoracic spinal cord affects vertebrae that number from T1 through T12. A serious impact to this region can affect an accident victim’s upper chest, mid-back, and abdominal muscles. As a result, the accident victim may also have difficulty controlling the breathing muscles, diaphragm, rib cage, or the lungs.
This area of the spinal cord also helps an individual to control their balance and posture. An individual who suffers from a thoracic spinal cord injury in a serious accident may lose the ability to move their legs, abdominal muscles, or lower back muscles. Consequently, they may develop paraplegia. Despite an accident victim’s loss of control over their lower back or legs, they may still have full control over the hands and arms.
An injury to a person’s sacral spine affects the triangular region between the tailbone and underneath the lumbar region of the spine. The sacral spine controls a person’s pelvic organs, and these organs control an individual’s sexual functions, bladder functions, and bowel functions.
An individual who suffers an injury to their sacral spine in a severe accident may no longer move their hips or legs. Although injuries to the sacral spinal cord are somewhat uncommon, a direct impact into this region of the body, such as in a slip and fall accident where the accident victim lands on this area, can result in a sacral spinal cord injury.
If you or a person you love has suffered one of these spinal cord injuries in an accident that someone else brought about, you may have a basis to file a claim for monetary damages. In some cases, if the insurance company is unwilling to fully and fairly compensate you for your injury, you may need to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. The experienced Lawrenceville spinal cord injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC welcome the opportunity to litigate your personal injury case and help you pursue the compensation that you deserve.
Not only does modern medicine classify spinal cord injuries based on the location of the injury on the spinal cord, it also classifies an injury as either complete or incomplete. When an accident victim suffers a complete injury to their spinal cord, the results are often long-term or permanent damage. Paralysis, including paraplegia or tetraplegia, are common results of a complete injury to the spinal cord.
An accident victim may suffer an incomplete injury to their spinal cord instead of a complete spinal cord injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury is one that does not result in permanent damage but instead results in some form of incomplete or partial damage. In the region of the spinal cord that is affected, for example, the accident victim may retain a limited ability to feel sensations.
When it comes to incomplete spinal cord injuries, an accident victim may regain some of the functionality they lost in the accident. However, the extent to which the accident victim will recover depends upon a variety of factors, including the accident victim’s pre-accident health status, as well as the accident victim’s ability to undergo physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation.
If you or a person you love sustained a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury in an accident, the Lawrenceville spinal cord injury lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC are here to assist you. Our knowledgeable legal team is ready to investigate the circumstances that led to your injury and help you pursue much-needed monetary compensation.
Spinal cord injuries often result from a serious accident. Accidents that can lead to severe spinal cord injuries include slip and fall accidents, on-the-job accidents, and motor vehicle collisions.
Slip and fall accidents typically occur when a premises owner fails to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Specifically, property owners have a duty to either warn visitors about known defects on the property or repair those defects. In the case of store owners, these individuals may also have a duty to inspect the premises regularly for dangerous conditions that may be unknown. When premises owners fail to act reasonably under the circumstances, and a slip and fall accident occurs, an accident victim may suffer a severe injury to their back or spinal cord. Such an injury is more likely should the accident victim land directly on the back or tailbone in the fall.
On-the-job injuries can also lead to spinal cord damage, especially if the accident victim works in an inherently dangerous work environment, such as the construction industry. Construction workers often have to work on tall ladders or scaffolding. If they fall on their backs, they can suffer a severe injury to the spinal column, including full or partial paralysis.
Motor vehicle collisions are also a common cause of spinal cord injuries. In some cases, negligent motor vehicle operators who violate traffic laws or engage in distracted driving collide with other motor vehicles. A negligent motor vehicle operator may cause their vehicle to strike a bicycle, motorcycle, or pedestrian. In a vehicular accident, the accident victim’s body violently jerks in their seat. In the case of a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident, the victim may strike the ground and land on their back, resulting in a severe injury.
Some additional possible causes of spinal cord injuries can include:
- Falls from high places
- Assaults
- Nursing home abuse
- Birth injuries
- Swimming pool accidents
- Mass transit accidents
- Accidents due to defective products
- Boating accidents
- Sports accidents
If you or someone you love sustains an injury in one of these types of accidents, the Lawrenceville spinal cord injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can determine how your accident occurred and who was likely at fault. Your lawyer can then assist you with pursuing a legal claim or filing a lawsuit for monetary compensation and damages.
The method of pursuing and recovering compensation for a spinal cord injury depends mainly on the context in which you sustained your injury. For example, if you suffered your spinal cord injury in a work accident, you may file a workers’ compensation claim against your employer. When you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, you may be entitled to recover a portion of your lost wages, as well as compensation for all of your medical treatment bills or permanent disability.
If you were not working for an employer at the time you suffered your spinal cord injury, you must demonstrate that the at-fault individual behaved unreasonably under the circumstances. For example, you may allege that a motor vehicle operator failed to exercise proper care, resulting in a motor vehicle collision that led to your spinal cord injury. In the case of a slip and fall accident, you might contend that the owner of the premises where you fell failed to maintain the floor in a reasonably safe condition, causing you to fall and suffer an injury to your back or spinal cord.
In a personal injury case, you must prove that your spinal cord injury directly resulted from your accident.
If you can demonstrate the elements of your case by a preponderance of the evidence, you may recover all of your out-of-pocket costs, as well as compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses and lost earning ability
- Inconvenience
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability.
In addition, you may pursue compensation for permanent loss of use of a body part, such as when an accident victim experiences paralysis due to the accident.
Losses in spinal cord injury cases can be particularly difficult to calculate because these injuries can have such severe and lasting effects. Many people need ongoing medical care and assistance for the rest of their lives, which means they need to estimate their future medical bills for the rest of their lives. Others might no longer work again due to paralysis, so they must calculate how much they will lose in earnings before they reach retirement age.
These calculations often require the assistance of medical or economic experts. Any mistakes you make in calculating losses can deprive you of compensation you deserve, so you want the right legal assistance during this process.
The knowledgeable Lawrenceville spinal cord injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC will help you prove all of your claim’s legal elements, file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf, and pursue the monetary compensation you deserve for your spinal cord injury.
