The spinal cord transmits a significant amount of sensory information, and so it is responsible for many bodily functions. An injury can, therefore, have significant effects on a person’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone’s negligence, you need the aggressive representation of an Atlanta spine injury lawyer.
What Does The Spinal Cord Do?
The spinal cord is a system of nerves that relays messages between the brain and various parts of the body. It helps with these and other functions:
- Sensory reception and reflexes
- Walking
- Breathing
- Muscle control
- Bladder control
- Bowel movements
- Blood pressure and blood flow
How Are Most Spinal Cord Injuries Caused?
Layers of tissue and membrane protect the spinal cord, but they don’t make it impenetrable. These are some of the common causes of injury:
- Automobile and motorcycle accidents
- Slips and falls
- Construction accidents
- Sports injuries
- Swimming pool accidents
- Botched surgeries and other malpractice
What Are Common Spine Injury Symptoms?
Victims may experience anything from mild discomfort to severe and chronic pain. They can display any of the following symptoms:
- Pain, stiffness, or pressure in the neck, back, or head
- Loss of movement or paralysis
- Numbness in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
- Headache or unconsciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Unnatural positioning of the neck or head
Many of these symptoms are not readily apparent. If you believe that someone has suffered a spinal cord injury, do not try to move them. Call 911 and make sure the person receives immediate medical attention.
Some cases of spinal cord injury are mild. However, in the most extreme cases, the victim suffers some type of paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. Victims often need rehabilitation, therapy, and assistance from wheelchairs and walkers. They typically find it difficult to adjust back to normal life.
A spinal cord injury may mean the end of the victim’s career. At the very least, the victim will usually find it difficult to work at the same level as before. This can have a devastating financial impact on his or her family.
The victim may need assistance with routine tasks and may suffer from depression, anxiety, and mood and behavioral disorders. The victim’s family suffers too, as they watch their loved one forced to endure permanent life changes.
What Damages Can A Spinal Cord Injury Claim Cover?
After a spinal cord injury, you need aggressive legal representation. Financial compensation can never return someone to the life they had before, but it can make a world of difference. A spinal cord injury lawyer can help the victim with these and other services:
Getting Medical Records and Other Evidence
Your spinal cord injury attorney will gather as much information as possible about your accident. Medical records, photographic and video evidence, and witness statements will help build your case.
Handling Insurance Companies
The main job of an insurance company is to minimize what it pays on claims. The insurer may attempt to deny responsibility or blame you for what happened. They will likely attempt to make a quick settlement which is too low to account for future and ongoing treatment. Let us handle the insurance companies while you recover.
Working with Healthcare Providers and Vocational Experts
We work with doctors and other healthcare providers to understand how much treatment you will need. Vocational experts help determine the impact of your injuries on your ability to work. All of this is necessary to make sure you are fairly compensated for your losses.
If you’ve been injured, we will seek a variety of economic and non-economic damages. These include past, present, and future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Some victims need caregivers, equipment, and medical devices to recover. Most experience lost wages and decreased earning ability. We will evaluate your case and fight for the maximum compensation.
Dedicated Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Count on
Spinal cord injury victims are often vulnerable after an accident. This is when insurance companies try to score a low ball settlement. Don’t be victimized a second time. If an offer is not sufficient to cover your losses, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers will take the case to court. Give us a call and let Schneider Hammers handle your spinal cord injury case today.
