In Atlanta, if a medical professional fails in their duty of care toward you and causes injuries, this is called medical malpractice. Numerous medical mistakes can lead to significant losses, including spinal cord injuries. But what is a spinal cord injury exactly, and what kinds of medical errors can lead to these catastrophic injuries? Understanding the root cause of your injury is the first step in holding the responsible party accountable.
Understanding the Spinal Cord
Your spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of your skull to the center of your back. It’s covered by three layers of membranes, which are thin tissues, and surrounded by vertebrae. Along with your brain, your spinal cord makes up your central nervous system.
The spinal cord conveys motor and sensory information to your brain. This includes everything from temperature changes to sensations of pain. It also transmits motor commands from the brain to your muscles and controls reflexes.
Medical Errors That Can Cause Spinal Cord Injuries
Several types of medical errors can cause catastrophic injuries, including those that impact your spinal cord.
Failure to Diagnose
If a medical professional doesn’t diagnose conditions in time, those conditions can progress. Infections are particularly problematic, but so are issues like herniated discs. These can compress the spinal cord if they’re not treated promptly, resulting in permanent damage to the nerves in the area.
Anesthesia Errors
If you receive anesthetics like epidurals, which require very careful placement, any mistake on the part of the provider can mean substantial consequences. Anesthesia errors also include improper monitoring of patients who have received anesthetics. Spinal epidural hematomas, which are blood clots that can put pressure on the spinal cord, are a concern in these instances.
Surgical Errors
If you need to receive spinal surgery of any type and the surgeon incorrectly places screws or other hardware, the spinal cord’s nerves can suffer severe damage. During the surgery, it’s also possible to experience dural tears or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which need to be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent irreversible damage.
Birth Injuries
Babies can suffer spinal cord injuries during both labor and delivery. For example, using too much force or twisting the baby can lead to this injury. Prolonged labor can also be an issue because it can lead to immense pressure on the infant’s spine.
Beginning a Medical Malpractice Claim in Georgia
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury because of medical negligence in Georgia, it’s essential to hire a medical malpractice attorney. One of the reasons for this is that you will need an affidavit of merit from a medical professional to file your claim. Your lawyer will have the necessary contacts to make that possible.
A lawyer can also gather the necessary evidence and negotiate with insurance companies. Most of the time, you will be filing against doctors and hospitals. Their insurance providers are often aggressive and could try to minimize your claim.
With assistance from an experienced attorney, you can fight for the compensation you deserve after sustaining such a serious injury. Your legal team can present a robust case on your behalf, and if a settlement isn’t possible, they can also take the case to court. Leaving this step to a lawyer can give you the best chance of your case succeeding before a judge or jury.
Contact the Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Suffering a spinal cord injury can be devastating, especially when it’s due to a medical error. Depending on the severity of the problem, you can struggle to work and live your life as you used to. Fortunately, Georgia law allows those hurt by medical malpractice to seek economic and non-economic damages from the responsible party.
By pursuing this compensation with the help of a skilled Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer, you can effectively fight for your future and the justice you deserve. Contact Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
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Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers
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Atlanta, GA 30346