Your spinal cord controls critical bodily functions, such as movement and mobility. Any damage to the spine can create a devastating, lifelong hardship for the victim and those who depend on your ability to earn a living wage.
If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by the careless or reckless actions of someone else, please contact the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC today by calling 770-888-8901 or completing the form on this page to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you will never have to pay us unless we win your case.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord comprises an intricate network of nervous tissue that act as the main neural pathway for signals to and from the brain. It is responsible for sending sensory information to the brain, relaying motor instructions from the brain to the muscles and triggering several involuntary reflexes.
A spinal cord injury (SCI) involves damage to any part of the spinal cord. The nature of the associated injury depends on the specific location of the injury and is classified according to its severity.
Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete:
- Complete SCI: an injury in which the victim loses the ability to move voluntarily and has no feeling in the affected areas. This may include every area below the damaged area or one side of the body.
- Incomplete SCI: an injury in which the victim experiences a diminished ability to feel and move, but does not suffer a complete loss of sensation and mobility.
These injuries can also be classified depending on the specific paralysis that accompanies them. Quadriplegia affects all parts of the body below the neck, while paraplegia affects the lower part of the body, including the trunk. These types of injuries require years of therapy and rehabilitation.
What Causes Spinal Cord Inuries?
There are a number of ways that a spinal cord can be injured, but the most common causes include:
What are the Immediate Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Although many spinal cord injuries produce immediate symptoms, there can be a delay between the injury and loss of function. Because of this, it is critically important to seek medical care immediately following an accident in which your spine could have been injured. Injuries to the spine may be treatable with traction if caught before symptoms emerge.
Some symptoms of a spinal cord injury that can indicate an emergency immediately following an accident include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Difficulties walking, standing or balancing
- Pressure in the head, neck or back
- Significant back pain
- Numbness or a loss of sensation in the fingers, hands or toes
- Paralysis
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
Even though your spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae of your spinal column, violent force can impact the spinal column and injure your spinal cord. This can damage or sever critical nerves and affect your central nervous system and physical capabilities.
Usually, the most extensive loss of function correlates with how high up the injury occurs on the spinal column. Depending on factors such as injury’s location and the severity of damage, spinal cord injuries may result in:
- Paralysis
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
- Respiratory problems
- Partial or complete loss of limb function
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bed sores
- Infections
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can change your life forever. Many of these tragic injuries are permanent, requiring a lifetime of expensive medical care and complete loss of income. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone’s negligent actions, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care
How much is a spinal cord injury lawsuit worth?
The value of any personal injury lawsuit is largely dependent on the severity of the injury. When it comes to spinal cord injury lawsuits, it’s not unusual to recover a seven-figure sum with the help of a skilled attorney. That’s because these injuries are often incredibly serious and can result in life-long disability. Calculating the value of your spinal cord injury lawsuit should be a meticulous process. You’ll need to account for all the past, present, and future costs associated with your injuries. Work with our lawyers to ensure you receive the compensation you need.
How long after a spinal cord injury can I file a lawsuit?
If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s crucial to file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. This term refers to the timeframe in which you are allowed to take legal action against the at-fault party. In Georgia, the statute of limitations on most personal injury claims is two years. That is how long you have before you lose your right to ask a court to award you compensation. Talk to our attorneys right away to learn if there’s still time to file your back injury lawsuit.
What if I was also at fault for the accident which caused my spinal cord injury?
Georgia follows the modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases. That means that you can still recover compensation even if you were also at fault for the accident that injured you. However, the catch is that you must have been less than 50% responsible. Your damages will also be reduced in proportion to your fault.
Is it important to quickly investigate an accident that results in a spinal cord injury?
Few things are more crucial than conducting a prompt investigation into the accident that caused your spinal cord injury. Doing so is one of the best ways to protect your right to compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. Waiting is never a good idea because key evidence can slip away. Our lawyers often work with a network of professionals to investigate accidents and substantiate our clients’ claims. Contact us right away so we can look into your spinal cord injury accident.
How does a spinal cord injury lawsuit process work?
Most spinal cord injury claims are resolved without going to trial. Our attorneys will work to reach a satisfactory settlement with the defendant or insurance company. If settlement talks fail, we have the experience needed to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit on your behalf. Lawsuits generally follow a standard timeline that includes:
- Serving a summons and complaint
- Waiting for the defendant to answer the complaint
- Exchanging information during a process called discovery
- Taking the case to trial to reach a judgment
If you win, you can proceed to collect the money judgment that you were awarded. Our Atlanta attorneys can provide more information about what you can expect from your spinal cord injury lawsuit.
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Schedule Your Free Legal Consultation Today
If you are suffering the consequences of a spinal cord injury, it is essential to get immediate professional legal advice from an experienced attorney. To begin building your case right away, please call the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC at 770-888-8901. We proudly help injury victims from Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia.
