Atlanta, Georgia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Some of the most devastating injuries affect the back and neck. A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord becomes damaged from traumatic injury to the area or a disease of the vertebral column.

If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of medical care, lost wages, and other damages.

For over 40 years, the spinal cord injury attorneys at Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. have been fiercely fighting for the compensation accident victims like yourself need to cope with these injuries. Our legal team has the skills, knowledge, and determination necessary to help you and your loved ones get through this difficult time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at your convenience.

The Main Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries often occur when there is acute damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots or spinal column. This damage is generally permanent, but there can be a temporary loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions of bodily systems. Spinal cord injuries are categorized as either complete or incomplete.

A complete spinal cord injury involves the spinal cord being entirely severed, which eliminates any nerve function below the site of the injury. Individuals with these injuries will typically lose function in these areas but could regain some abilities through therapy and medical treatment.

An incomplete spinal cord injury involves a partially severed or damaged spinal column. Roughly 60% of all SCIs are considered incomplete and fall into one of three main categories:

• Anterior Cord Syndrome– This involves an injury to the front of the victim’s spinal cord. It affects motor function and sensory pathways that make it increasingly challenging to move muscles because of reduced sensitivity.
• Central Cord Syndrome– This syndrome involve a force or impact at the center of the spinal cord. When there is serious damage to the nerves, it can affect the transmission of brain signals through the spinal cord. This type of injury can result in paralysis in the arms, loss of fine motor functions, loss of bladder and bowel control, and loss of sexual function.
• Brown-Sequard Syndrome (BSS)– Patients with this syndrome have received an impact to one side of the spinal cord that results in the loss of movement on one side of the body in some capacity.

Aside from complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries, there are also spinal contusions or “spinal shock.” These conditions are generally short-lived, but some can require up to a year to fully recover.

When a spinal cord injury affects all areas and organs below the waist, it is classified as paraplegia. When it affects all organs and areas below the neck, it is classified as quadriplegia or tetraplegia.

What Are the Common Causes of SCI?

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a variety of traumatic events. Some of the most common causes of SCI that we’ve handled on behalf of clients include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Slip and falls
• Construction accidents
• Factory and manufacturing accidents
• Playground accidents
• Animal attacks
• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Crime and violence
• Sports accidents

Compensation for Your Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can not only impact you physically and emotionally but also socially and financially. These effects can last a lifetime and even worsen as time passes.

If another party was responsible for your harm, an insurance company is likely involved. Work-related injuries are generally covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but you may have additional remedies if someone other than your employer was at fault.

When spinal cord injuries happened due to car accidents, slip and falls, or bad medical treatment, you probably have a personal injury case. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation for these damages:

• Medical expenses– Spinal cord injuries often require significant medical treatment that includes hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medication, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages– A severe injury like this can make it impossible for you to return to work either temporarily or permanently. If you can work again, you may not earn the same amount that you did before the accident.
• Long-term care– If your injury is serious, it might prevent you from being able to care for yourself. This will require the assistance of caregivers, which can be costly.
• Pain and suffering– These injuries involve immense physical pain and emotional suffering. Your attorney can help place a value on this for the sake of compensation.
• Lost enjoyment of life– Likewise, you may have lost the ability to participate in and enjoy certain activities and hobbies due to your injury. Your attorney can also help place a value on these damages.

While the insurance company might want you to think that they have your best interests in mind, this is far from the truth. These are for-profit concerns that want nothing more than to close your case for as little payout as possible to protect their bottom-line results. If an insurer asks you to give a statement, sign a form, or agree to a lump sum settlement, avoid doing this until you first speak with a qualified personal injury and accident attorney.

Contact Our Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys    

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to the carelessness or negligence of someone else, contact our team of compassionate and dedicated personal injury attorneys immediately. Our law firm will thoroughly investigate your accident as well as what it is going to cost you and your family to deal with this condition for the rest of your lives.

Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. places its primary focus on catastrophic injury cases, and we limit the number of cases we accept so that you get the personal attention you need and deserve. Our attorneys are highly qualified to pursue the responsible parties in your spinal cord injury case.

For cases in the Atlanta and surrounding area, contact our office at 678-981-5370 to schedule a free consultation. We never charge you upfront for our services, and we only seek payment after we’ve secured a positive outcome for you and your family.