Spinal cord injuries are some of the most catastrophic injuries suffered in accidents in Savannah, Georgia. A catastrophic injury, such as paralysis, is one that will impact the victim for the foreseeable future or for life. If you or a loved one has a spinal cord injury from a preventable accident, Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the financial compensation that you require. Contact our Savannah spinal cord injury lawyers today to request a free initial case review.
Savannah Spinal Cord Injury Resources
Spinal Cord Injury Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Compensation for My Spinal Cord Injury?
You can receive compensation for a spinal cord injury in Georgia. You can do this through a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim. The consequences of a spinal cord injury are severe and involve spending a lot of money; as such, compensation is important.
You would have to speak with a Savannah spinal cord injury attorney and discuss the specifics of your accident to assist you in getting compensated for a spinal cord injury. The compensation may include any of the following:
Medical Expenses
Treatment for spinal cord injuries does not come cheap. Medical bills include possible operations, physical therapy, medications, doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation, and other forms of treatment. These expenses can add up quite quickly.
Lengthy Specialized Care
In most cases, survivors of severe spinal cord injuries cannot care for themselves due to the restrictions in their movement. They can also experience difficulties in breathing and loss of bladder control. This can require a need for the services of professional caregivers. This expense should be recoverable.
Lost Wages
The treatment for spinal cord injuries takes a while, and survivors may be unable to work temporarily and, in certain cases, permanently.
Some who can eventually continue at their jobs often find themselves with reduced wages due to having to work less hours or take a position that pays less. If you are able to work but are no longer receiving the same wage, you may be able to recover the difference. If you aren’t able to work at all, you can recover lost future wages as well.
Do I Have a Case?
Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in Georgia are preventable acts of negligence or carelessness. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if that person or party fails to act with a reasonable amount of care and this causes injury to others. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, fall, workplace incident, construction site accident, maritime accident or another preventable accident, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Most personal injury lawsuits are based on the principle that if a person or party is negligent and this injures someone else, the careless party is financially responsible for the victim’s losses (damages). If you believe this to be true in your spinal cord injury case, you may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more parties.
Spinal cord injury claims are often worth a significant amount of money, as these injuries can be permanently disabling. However, we know that money isn’t everything. Our Savannah spinal cord injury attorneys are in this business to hold wrongdoers accountable. We know how important it is for a victim and his or her family to receive justice for severe injuries caused by a negligent or careless party.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Symptoms
The spinal cord is a complex and delicate part of the body that can suffer many different types of injuries due to sources of trauma. A patient’s exact spinal cord injury diagnosis is important, as it can determine the prognosis for recovery. A severe spinal cord injury can permanently interrupt the body’s messaging system, while a minor spinal cord injury may heal completely over time with medical treatments.
The two main types of spinal cord injuries are:
- Incomplete spinal cord injury. With an incomplete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is not completely severed. It remains intact enough to allow the victim to retain some function and feeling below the point of injury. Common symptoms of an incomplete spinal cord injury are slight numbness and muscle weakness. It is often possible to heal completely from an incomplete spinal cord injury.
- Complete spinal cord injury. A complete spinal cord injury means that the spinal cord has been completely severed. This completely cuts off the brain from the body, resulting in permanent and irreversible loss of feeling and function below the point of injury. The symptoms of a complete spinal cord injury include numbness, loss of bowel and bladder control, and respiratory problems. Examples of complete spinal cord injuries are tetraplegia and paraplegia.
The exact symptoms a patient experiences depend on factors such as the severity of the injury and the location of the injury on the spinal cord. Injuries to the top of the spine – the cervical spine – tend to be the most severe, resulting in life-threatening symptoms that affect the entire body.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are various causes of spinal cord injuries, and sometimes it is a result of another person’s malicious act or negligence. The following is a list of the prevalent causes of SCIs that entitle an individual to compensation:
- Automobile accidents: Car accidents can lead to spinal cord injuries in both the driver and passenger. A head-on collision or side hit by another car can result in grave injuries.
- Slip and Fall: spinal cord injuries can arise from slipping and falling down a stairway or a wet surface
- Violence: In violent situations, gunshot wounds are the most prevalent cause of spinal cord injuries
- Overly strenuous work activities: Carrying heavy objects at work repeatedly can also cause spinal cord damage.
- Medical Malpractice: A mistake made during a surgical procedure or another operation could result in a paralyzing spinal cord injury.
A Savannah spinal cord injury attorney can review your accident to determine its cause and who to hold liable.
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, the most important thing to do is stay motionless until medical help arrives. Even the slightest movements may result in additional and more severe damages. If you have a sudden injury to the back, have someone call the emergency services immediately. While you wait, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Spasms in the muscles
- Breathing problems or coughing
- Numbness
- Severe pain in the back
- Weakness in arms and legs
- Inability to move a portion of the body
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
When you get to a hospital, your doctors will make sure your breathing is not affected by the spinal cord injury and then move on to assess your motor and sensory functions. The medical personnel assessing your injuries may undertake the following tests:
- MRI – to have a proper view of the spinal cord and other soft tissues
- CT scans – to see a detailed view of broken bones and blood vessel damages
- X-rays – to also see the broken bones or dislocated joints
You must adhere to the directions given by your doctors and other healthcare professionals. Take your medications and follow through with your treatment. Keep a detailed record of all your bills. Have a journal for your bills from hospitalizations, doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, exercise routines, and medications.
When you are up to it, you should contact your Savannah spinal cord injury attorneys and go through the specifics of your case. Your lawyers will counsel you on your legal choices and help determine if you can seek compensation.
Testimonials
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“After a career-ending back injury from a rear-end motor vehicle accident, Paul took my case and worked diligently for my family and me, and got us a resolution to the case that we were very happy with. He and his staff kept us informed with what was going on with the case, and made us feel very comfortable with our choice in him as our attorney.” – M. Moxley
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, contact Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to request a free case consultation. Our qualified Savannah spinal cord injury lawyer will meet with you, answer your questions and let you know what to do next if we believe you have grounds for a claim.
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