Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Peachtree Corners, GA

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can occur in all kinds of traumatic accidents. Some of the most common spinal cord injury causes include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Train accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Defective product accidents, such as those involving unsafe vehicles, recreational equipment, or fitness machines
• Medical malpractice, including surgical errors and birth injuries
• Sports accidents

According to the Mayo Clinic, the leading cause of spinal cord injuries is car accidents, followed by falls and acts of violence. A spinal cord injury attorney can help you determine if negligence played a role in your injury.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Doctors classify spinal cord injuries as incomplete or complete. An incomplete spinal cord injury means the spinal cord has only partially severed. People with incomplete spinal cord injuries may retain some feeling or function below the level of the injury. A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord entirely severs, cutting off all communication between the brain and the body below the injury.

Doctors also categorize spinal cord injuries by the spine region where the damage occurs, as it determines what parts of the body are affected. The spine has three major regions. A spinal cord injury in the lumbar region, the lower area of the spinal column, will affect the legs and possibly the pelvis. A spinal cord injury in the thoracic region, the middle section of the spinal column, will affect the lower torso and potentially the abdomen and lower chest, depending on the location of the injury. Finally, a spinal cord injury in the cervical region, the topmost area of the spinal column in the neck and upper back, will usually cause quadriplegia/tetraplegia and may become fatal.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury usually presents symptoms immediately after a traumatic accident. Some of the signs of injury that occur right after an accident include:

• Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
• Weakness, lack of coordination, or paralysis
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Difficulty breath
• Odd positioning or twisting of the neck or back

A person who experiences any of these symptoms after an accident should immediately seek emergency medical attention.

Long-term consequences of a spinal cord injury include:

• Changes to bladder or bowel control
• Circulatory problems, including irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, swelling of the extremities, development of blood clots, or sudden life-threatening rises in blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing or clearing the lungs
• Uncontrolled tightening or movement of muscles
• Loss of muscle tone
• Changes to sexual function and sensitivity
• Chronic pain from overuse of specific muscle groups or an intense stinging or burning sensation around the spinal cord injury

Recovering From a Spinal Cord Injury

Unfortunately, current medical technology cannot reverse the damage of a spinal cord injury. Instead, treatment and recovery focus on stabilizing the injury and preparing an injury victim to live as independent and productive a life as possible.

Immediately after an accident, a person with a spinal cord injury will have their neck and back immobilized to prevent further damage to the spinal column. Treatment may also include medications to help with health complications caused by a spinal cord injury, such as bladder/bowel control issues, circulatory problems, or respiratory difficulties. Surgery may also be necessary to repair the spinal column, remove foreign debris or bone fragments, and install rods and screws in the spine to prevent future deformity.

Once a patient’s spinal cord injury has stabilized, they will undergo rehab to strengthen muscle function, redevelop motor skills, or learn adaptations to perform tasks of daily living to enable them to resume an active life despite their new disabilities. Rehab will also include education on how to minimize complications from the injury. A rehab team consists of physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, recreational therapists, rehabilitation psychologists, physiatrists, and social workers.

Spinal Cord Injury Compensation Available in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may have a legal claim to recover compensation for the consequences of that injury.

 A spinal cord injury lawsuit can provide you with compensation for the following:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, doctor’s appointments, and physical/occupational therapy
• Long-term care and support services, such as home health care, housekeeping, home maintenance, purchases of medical/mobility equipment, or home renovations to install disability accommodations
• Loss of wages or income for time missed from work while recovering from injury
• Loss of future earning capacity and job benefits if you become permanently disabled from working
• Physical pain
• Emotional trauma and distress, including PTSD or depression
• Loss of quality of life due to scarring/disfigurement from your injury or the inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed due to disabilities
• Reduced life expectancy

Our spinal cord injury attorneys can assess your situation and fight for your right to compensation to rebuild your life.