One of the most common areas of the body to be injured is the back, including spinal cord injuries. Car accidents, workplace injuries, slips and falls, and medical errors could all result in spinal cord damage. Injuries can range from whiplash to paralysis and short-term to long-term.
If you have a spinal cord injury caused by the negligence of others, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. An Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer with the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown can help you and your family explore your options. You may be eligible to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or, if necessary, a spinal cord injury lawsuit. Call us today for a free case consultation. Our staff is ready to help you start recovering.
An Overview of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are usually caused by trauma to the back or spine but can also be a complication of a back injury. Sudden impacts, jarring actions, or repeated strain can cause these injuries.
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves protected by the spine. When these nerves are impinged, damaged, or severed, it can cause pain, dysfunction, and paralysis, affecting your ability to work or even complete routine activities. In some cases, the damage can be permanent, causing long-term disability for the victim.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries typically fall into one of two categories: complete and incomplete. As the categories suggest, the injury to the spine either causes a complete or partial loss of function or sensation below the level of the injury. Additionally, where the injury is located on the spine cord, such as anterior, central, or posterior, causes different effects on the body.
Extreme examples most people think of when they think of a spinal cord injury are:
- Paraplegia: Loss of legs, trunk, and lower organs
- Quadriplegia: Loss of all four limbs and the torso
Whiplash, an injury caused by the sudden jolting of the head and neck, can also be classified as a spinal injury. This cervical spine injury is a sprain on the neck.
Treatment for Your Spinal Cord Injuries
Recovering from an injury depends on the type of injury you sustained and the severity of said injury. Treatment for spinal injuries is often long-term. Many injuries require surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care.
For your recovery, you should follow your doctor’s orders completely and not miss any treatments. Following your doctor’s orders will ensure you will receive the care necessary for your injuries and achieve the best possible recovery. It will also show the insurance companies the impact your injuries have had on your life. Missing treatments could be used as a reason to undervalue or deny a claim.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Atlanta
There are any number of ways that an individual could injure their spine. Any activity that compromises or wounds the back can potentially result in long-term injuries. Some of the more common causes we have seen as a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta for the past 30 years include the following:
- Car accidents: Trauma to the spinal cord during the impact of an auto accident can cause extensive damage.
- Workplace injuries: Strain on the back from unsafe workplace activities or construction site accidents can cause herniated discs and other injuries.
- Slip and falls: A fall on a slippery or wet floor may cause extensive damage to the back or neck.
- Medical errors: A surgeon who makes a medical error can be the cause of a life-long injury.
Many spinal cord injuries are preventable. As the victim of a spinal cord injury caused by negligence, you have the right to have your medical care covered by those who caused your injuries.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by the negligent actions of another, our Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer can help. Call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today for a free case consultation. Learn more about your spinal cord injury case and the options available to you and your family.
You Have a Right to Recover Damages for Your Spinal Cord Injury
After the accident that caused your spinal cord injury, you and your family are probably facing a great deal of stress and uncertainty. You are probably seeing medical bills rise and your income reduce as you stay home recovering from your injuries. Depending upon the severity and possibility of recovery, you may have to make radical changes to your life and future.
These losses and injuries you and your family are dealing with now after the accident are legally referred to as damages. Victims of negligence have a right to pursue compensation for the damages they have. No two cases are quite the same, but there are certain types of damages commonly sought in a spinal cord injury claim. They can include the following:
- Medical expenses incurred and in the future
- Ongoing healthcare, such as in-home nursing care and home and vehicle modifications
- Lost wages, including tips, bonuses, and benefits
- Reduced earning potential if your injuries prevent you from working at the same capacity as you did before the accident
- Pain and suffering, which can include anxiety, mental anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disability for permanent spinal cord injuries
- Loss of consortium, companionship, guidance, and support for the effect on your familial relationships
Wrongful Death Damages
In the unfortunate event that you have lost a loved one suffering from a spinal cord injury, your family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Damages could include:
- Funeral, burial, and creation services
- Income your loved one would have provided to your family
- Medical bills prior to their passing
- Loss of consortium for the spouse and family
The money from a wrongful death can never replace a lost loved one. Instead, it is meant to help you and your family recover from this tragedy, giving you time to grieve in peace.
How the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown Can Help You
Our goal is to help our clients regain their health and financial stability following their spinal cord injury accident. There are several services our Atlanta spine injury lawyer can provide you to reach that goal. Here is how we can help you:
Free Initial Consultation of Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
We start by listening. We want to hear from you about your accident and the impact it has had on your life. Our Atlanta spine injury attorneys can review your case and explain your legal options.
Investigation of Your Atlanta Accident
Once we agree to work together, our investigators start collecting evidence to build your claim. Our spinal cord injury lawyer will use:
- Incident and police report
- Medical records
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
We will also collect pay stubs and bank statements to show the financial impact the injury has had on your life. Plus, one particularly powerful source of evidence is the testimonies of expert witnesses. They can provide highly qualified perspectives on your case.
With the evidence we collect, we will establish the link between the negligent party’s actions and your injuries and losses. That link is often expressed in four parts:
- Duty of Care
- Breach of Duty
- Causation
- Damages
By establishing these four elements of negligence, we can effectively fight for your compensation.
Managing Your Insurance Claim for Compensation
Our spinal cord injury attorneys will handle all the filing, communicating, and negotiating with the insurance companies in your case. We will make sure your claim is filed with the insurers properly and on time. Any phone calls and letters to you can be redirected to us. We will speak on your behalf with the other party’s attorneys. And ultimately, we will negotiate for a fair settlement that meets all your needs.
Legal Representation in Court
Thankfully, most cases are resolved out of court during negotiations, but if we cannot reach a fair settlement agreement with the insurers, we will take your case to court. We will present our evidence and arguments to seek a just court award.
Support and Guidance Throughout the Entire Legal Process
Our client-first focus means doing what is best for you. We will provide you with timely updates and answer any of your questions and concerns. Our spinal injury lawyers can send you to doctors who can provide the best care for your condition. You and our lawyer are a team, and we want to see you succeed.
Statute of Limitations Gives You Two Years to Act
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, accident victims generally have two years to file a lawsuit if they wish to pursue compensation for their damages through the courts. This same deadline applies to families filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Failing to file before the deadline could be disastrous for spinal cord injury victims. The courts could bar you from filing, and you would be stuck accepting whatever settlement the insurance companies decide to offer.
However, if you contact us soon enough, we can protect your right to file. We can also collect evidence before it is possibly lost and destroyed.
Call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown for a Free Consultation Today
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another, contact the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown in Atlanta. You may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical costs, treatments, lost income, and pain or suffering.
Call us today.
