Did you suffer a spinal cord injury in Atlanta, GA? A serious spinal cord injury can have devastating consequences. These injuries can impact your quality of life, emotional well-being, and your ability to work. If someone else was responsible, an experienced Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer at Malone Law can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
We’ve been helping clients maximize their financial recoveries since 1965. We have over 50 years of experience, and we’ve used our skills to secure hundreds of millions of dollars for our injured clients.
If you were injured and want to understand your legal options, contact our medical malpractice law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, or call (770) 390-7550 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Should I Hire Malone Law To Handle My Spinal Cord Injury Case in Atlanta?
After a serious or permanent injury, it’s important to hire a lawyer with experience, resources, and a firm understanding of the law. Insurance companies know how to minimize their financial exposure. You deserve a lawyer with experience winning cases like yours.
At Malone Law, our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers have earned an AV-Preeminent rating for our exceptional legal representation. Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America have also recognized our team for the quality legal services we’ve been providing for decades.
When you hire us, our team will build the strongest case possible by:
- Conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances of your injury
- Hiring experts and specialists to help us understand the severity of the SCI and how it impacts your life
- Evaluating the value of your damages, including your future losses
- Negotiating fiercely with the insurance companies for a full settlement
- Representing you before a judge and jury if it comes to that
We know that your injury may be life-altering. We also know that recovering fair compensation can be critical to your future.
If you sustained a spinal cord injury, an attorney can help. Contact our Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Spinal Cord Injuries: An Overview
The spinal cord consists of individual bundles of nerves, tissue, and bone that run from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Each bundle of nerves is surrounded by protective tissue and bones called vertebrae.
The spinal cord’s function is to carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body. So, when the spinal cord is damaged, the symptoms often appear in other areas of the body.
The vertebrae in the spinal cord are divided into four regions:
- The cervical spine, located in the neck and consists of C1-C7 vertebrae
- The thoracic spine, located in the upper back and consists of T1-T12 vertebrae
- The lumbar spine, located in the lower back and consists of L1-L5 vertebrae
- The sacral spine, located at the base of the spine and consists of S1-S5 vertebrae
The nature of any spinal cord injury will depend on which region and vertebrae are impacted. In general terms, the most severe spinal cord injuries occur in the highest regions.
We Handle All Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases in Atlanta
Spinal cord injuries can be either complete or incomplete. Victims with incomplete spinal cord injuries retain some control of their motor function and sensations below the level of the injury. In complete spinal cord injury cases, the victim loses all sensation below the injury site.
However, it’s important to remember that not all spinal cord injuries result in paralysis. The spinal cord is a complex region that can be damaged in many different ways.
At Malone Law, we handle spinal cord injury cases involving:
- Herniated discs
- Compression fractures
- Anterior cord syndrome injuries (injuries to the front of the spine)
- Posterior cord syndrome (injuries impacting the back of the spine)
- Cauda Equina Syndrome (damage to the nerves of the sacral spine)
- Monoplegia (paralysis in one single limb)
- Paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down)
- Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body)
- Quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down)
Even if you were not paralyzed, you could be faced with a lifetime of pain and suffering. Our medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you fight for the money you’ll need to treat your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries?
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on the location of the injury, as well as the type and severity of the injury involved.
Potential symptoms can include:
- Tingling in the extremities
- Muscle spasms
- Pain or pressure in the back or neck
- Loss of sensation or weakness in the limbs and other parts of the body
- Outright loss of your ability to move a body part
- Inability to control your bladder or bowels
- Loss of sexual function or changes in sexual function
- Problems with breathing
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s critical to seek medical attention. Any delay in receiving medical treatment could cause your injury to become worse.
What Are Some of the Long-Term Consequences of Serious Spinal Cord Injuries?
The consequences the victim will face depend on the area of the spinal cord that was damaged.
Some potential long-term consequences of a serious spinal cord injury include:
- Paralysis
- Respiratory problems
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
- Problems speaking
- Inability to perform basic daily activities without assistance
- Dependency on pain medications
- Severe depression
- Blood clots
- Stroke
The most serious cases can lead to the wrongful death of the victim.
What Causes Most Spinal Cord Injuries in Atlanta?
Any type of traumatic event can cause a spinal cord injury.
Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Sports accidents
- Auto accidents involving Uber or Lyft
- Boating accidents
- Falls from heights
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Gun violence and assault
Medical malpractice is also a common cause of spinal cord damage. These cases can be particularly complex. You deserve a lawyer who understands the law and the legal system. To learn more about our skills and experience, contact Malone Law for a free initial consultation today.
What Is My Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Claim Worth?
The severity of the injury and your age are two of the most important factors in calculating the value of your personal injury case. More severe injuries are more expensive to treat. Because severe spinal cord damage is often permanent, younger victims will incur higher costs over the course of a lifetime.
Additional factors that will impact your case value include:
- The cost of your medical treatment
- The income you have lost during your recovery
- Whether you can return to work in the same capacity
- Whether you will suffer any permanent disability
- How the spinal cord injury impacts your quality of life and mental health
- The circumstances of the injury and whether you share any blame
Our Atlanta spinal cord injury attorneys at Malone Law will enlist respected experts when we’re calculating the value of your personal injury case. With their help, we’ll be able to accurately estimate your future costs–and put a dollar value on your non-financial struggles.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover for My Spinal Cord Injuries in Atlanta, Georgia?
Spinal cord injury victims can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages under Georgia personal injury laws.
Common examples of damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including ER visits, hospitalization costs, and follow-up care
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices and medications
- Long-term care
- Assistance with basic activities of daily living
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of your independence
- Chronic pain
- PTSD
- Loss of fertility
- Loss of consortium
Our team is ready to help you fight for every penny you deserve. All you have to do is call our law office to schedule a free consultation with a spinal cord lawyer today.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Spinal Cord Injury in Georgia?
Most personal injury victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a personal injury claim. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. Once the statute of limitations runs out, you cannot sue the at-fault party for damages.
Different deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances of the injury and the defendant in your case. For example, you’ll have much less time to act if a government entity is involved. It’s recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to confirm the deadline for your case.
Call a Respected Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Do you have questions about your legal rights after a serious spinal cord injury? You deserve answers. Our lawyers at Malone Law know the stakes are high, so we offer a free consultation. Contact us today to learn more about how an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer can help with your case.