Spinal Cord Injury Overview

What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

A spinal cord injury refers to damage affecting the nerves and nerve fibers that send and receive signals from the brain. These types of injuries can range from minor ones to severe ones that could leave you with paralysis. Typically, physicians organize spinal cord injuries by the way that they affect the spinal cord and where they occur. An incomplete spinal cord injury is one that still allows some sensation and movement below the site of the injury. In contrast, a complete spinal cord injury causes you to lose all function below the site of the injury. The treatment of spinal cord injuries is complex and varies depending on the severity of the condition. The mildest forms could merely require rest and some physical therapy. For more serious cases, it could mean medications or surgery followed by physical therapy. In the most severe cases, there may not be any treatment available that can help you regain function.

Banner media
spinal cord injuries media

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Atlanta?

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include car accidents, especially rollover accidents, and falls. A high-impact car collision could lead to all kinds of trauma. The sheer force of the impact or of being thrown against other structures inside the vehicle can lead to spinal cord injuries. Falls are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in older people, with slipping and tripping being a particular danger. Falling from buildings, stairs, and even ladders could also lead to this type of injury. 

Can I Get Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury?

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you could have the chance to file a personal injury claim.

Legal Guidance and Support

A spinal cord injury lawyer in Atlanta, GA, can guide you through the process and help you better understand the kind of compensation you could be entitled to.

Economic Damages

Economic damages that you could recover include medical expenses, both past and future, and lost wages.

Medical Expenses

Treating a spinal cord injury could mean spending days in the hospital and then having physical therapy sessions several times a week. All of that is expensive, putting a strain on your finances. You could get help covering all of your medical expenses.

Future Medical Costs

Because a spinal cord injury could result in paralysis or disability, which would require ongoing medical care, getting compensation for future medical costs is also a possibility.

Lost Wages

Suffering a severe injury could result in you missing out on work, which means not getting the wages you would normally receive. Asking for compensation for lost wages makes it possible to get reimbursed.

Compensation for Future Wages

If you cannot work at your old job or you are unable to work at all because of your injury, lost wages damages should also include future wages you will not get.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are available, as well. This includes pain and suffering. Pain and suffering refers to the physical and emotional suffering you’ve been dealing with. The severity of the injury increases the compensation you can receive.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Loss of enjoyment of life is another non-economic damage you can claim if you can no longer do the things you used to enjoy.

Background media

Why Do I Need a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

After suffering this type of catastrophic injury, you need to turn to a spinal cord injury attorney in Atlanta, GA. You never want to file these kinds of claims on your own. An attorney helps you prepare the claim while gathering all the necessary evidence, including medical records, police records, witness statements, and more. This allows you to focus on healing physically and emotionally.

Having experienced lawyers by your side also means you don’t have to worry about negotiating with insurance companies. The lawyers at Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass know how to advocate on your behalf when insurance companies are uncooperative. If you’re not getting fair treatment from the other parties involved, your lawyer can take your case to court and fight for your rights.

Doctor media

Why Choose Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass to Handle Your Spinal Cord Injury Case in Atlanta?

A spinal cord injury can alter your life in an instant, bringing long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, our spinal cord injury lawyers in Atlanta are committed to helping victims and their families recover the compensation they need to move forward.

Our team provides:

  • Extensive knowledge of Georgia’s spinal cord injury and personal injury laws
  • Legal strategies tailored to the unique complexities of spinal cord injury cases
  • Detailed investigations to determine the cause and identify all liable parties
  • Skilled negotiations with insurance companies to pursue the maximum recovery possible
  • Aggressive courtroom advocacy when a trial becomes necessary

We understand how profoundly a spinal cord injury impacts not only the injured individual but also their family. That’s why we fight relentlessly to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the resources you need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and future support. Call us today at (404) 882-5872 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.

Spinal Cord Injury FAQs

What are the different levels of spinal cord injury, and how do they impact compensation?

Spinal cord injuries are classified by level (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral) and severity (complete vs. incomplete). Higher-level injuries (such as in the cervical spine) often result in quadriplegia, requiring lifelong care, and usually lead to greater compensation due to higher medical costs, dependency, and long-term disability (Levels of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)).

Can a spinal cord injury get worse over time?

Yes. While many injuries stabilize, others can worsen due to complications like syringomyelia (spinal cysts), infections, or chronic pain. Delayed-onset symptoms and secondary health issues can also emerge years after the original injury, which may affect long-term compensation needs (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – SCI Information).

Can I still file a claim if I had a pre-existing spinal condition?

Yes. Under Georgia law, you can recover damages even if the injury aggravated a pre-existing condition. The legal term is the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, meaning the negligent party is responsible for the injury as they find you, not as they wish you were.

What’s the average cost of treating a spinal cord injury over a lifetime?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime costs range from $1.2 million to over $5 million, depending on age at injury and severity. These costs include hospitalization, equipment, home care, and secondary complications like respiratory issues (Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance).

Can family members claim damages in spinal cord injury cases?

Yes, according to Georgia Code § 9-2-41. In Georgia, spouses and dependent family members may be eligible for compensation under loss of consortium and loss of services. This accounts for the emotional, physical, and financial impact the injury has on loved ones.

Can spinal cord injury claims be reopened if my condition worsens?

In most cases, settlements are final once agreed upon (19. Finalizing Settlement | United States Department of Justice). However, limited legal avenues may remain if new evidence of negligence emerges or your attorney structured your claim to account for future complications.

Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 470 975-4599.