Spinal Injury Attorney in Georgia

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can occur when the vertebrae, ligaments, discs, or the spinal cord itself sustains damage. Most spinal cord injuries that are caused by another person’s negligence are considered traumatic spinal cord injuries. In contrast, a non-traumatic spinal cord injury occurs when cancer, infection, arthritis, disc degeneration, or other gradual processes damage the spinal cord.

Common causes of spinal cord injuries that may be someone else’s fault include:

• Car Accidents – Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, vehicle crashes have caused nearly 40 percent of spinal cord injuries since 2015. A common spinal cord injury in a car accident is known as spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis can cause pain or numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and legs.
• Truck Accidents – Occupants of passenger vehicles who are involved in an accident with a large truck often suffer very severe injuries, including injuries to the spinal cord.
• Motorcycle Accidents – A motorcycle does not offer much protection to the rider. Motorcyclists who are hit by another vehicle can sustain especially severe injuries that can include spinal cord injuries.
• Pedestrian Accidents – Without the protection of a vehicle, pedestrians are especially susceptible to spinal cord injuries and other severe harm when a vehicle hits them.
• Bicycle Accidents – Bicyclists face a unique risk for spinal cord injuries when a vehicle strikes them. They can be thrown off their bike and flip over the handlebars onto their backs, causing injuries to the spinal cord.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents are the second-largest cause of spinal cord injuries according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. You may be owed compensation if your fall and resulting injury were caused by a lack of maintenance, lack of warning signs in an unsafe area, or poorly designed stairs or walkways.
• Nursing Home Abuse – When you select a nursing home for an elderly or disabled family member, you trust that the facility will provide appropriate care for your loved one. Unfortunately, a nursing home resident can sustain a spinal cord injury through negligence or deliberate abuse. Common causes include:
  • Being dropped by an employee during a transfer to or from the bed.
  • Slipping and falling in the shower.
  • Tripping on hazards or slipping on a wet floor.
  • Falls caused by medication side effects.

Although employee negligence is not always the reason for spinal cord injuries in nursing homes, a thorough investigation by our spinal injury lawyers can show what went wrong when these types of severe injuries do occur.

• Workplace Accidents – Employees who work around heavy equipment are at higher risk for a spinal cord accident. However, any employee can sustain a spinal cord injury from a slip and fall or vehicle accident while they are working.

Most spinal cord injuries that occur at work are covered through workers’ compensation benefits. However, the process for filing a workers’ compensation claim can be complicated and frustrating. An experienced attorney can help you file the claim correctly. That will ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation you need after sustaining such a severe injury.

Employees who are eligible for workers’ compensation are barred from filing a lawsuit against their employer. If a third party was at fault, you may be able to file a lawsuit against that individual or another company.

Many other situations can cause a spinal cord injury. Regardless of your circumstance, if you believe someone else was at fault for your injury, we can discuss your options for compensation during a free consultation.

Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury

A patient with a spinal cord injury usually undergoes three phases of treatment:

• Emergency treatment – It is essential to get immediate treatment for a spinal cord injury. Bleeding and inflammation can intensify numbing or paralysis in the hours following an accident. Emergency treatment may include stabilization, surgery, and medications. Getting immediate treatment can minimize complications and increase the chance of recovery.
• Ongoing care – Once the patient is in a stable condition, he or she will remain in the hospital while doctors focus on preventing secondary problems such as blood clots, infections, ulcers, and bowel or bladder problems.
• Rehabilitation – After satisfactory progress is made in the hospital, the patient may be transferred to a rehabilitation center or to his or her home, depending on the severity of the injuries. During the rehabilitation phase, patients will work with a care team that may include physical therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and various other specialists. The rehabilitation phase can last months or years.

The treatment process will look different for every patient. However, even less severe spinal cord injuries can still require extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

A variety of long-term effects are common with a spinal cord injury. Most people are aware that a spinal cord injury can cause paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia. A person with a spinal cord injury may also suffer from:

Besides these physical symptoms, a person with a spinal cord injury can suffer mental health issues. Many people who suffer a spinal cord injury will go through major changes to their daily routine. The trauma of the accident can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Changes such as an inability to work, becoming dependent on care from another person, and loss of mobility can make a patient depressed. Victims of spinal cord injury are also at higher risk for misuse of pain medications and other addictive substances. That is why it is important that any rehabilitation plan also address any mental health challenges.