Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
As the body’s primary mode of communication, the spine plays a crucial role in transmitting signals to and from the brain. The spine is responsible for notifying the brain of stimuli to other parts of the body, and it sends the signals from the brain that controls a limb or other body part. When the spine suffers an injury, it can reduce or eliminate communication between the body and the brain.
If you have suffered an Atlanta spinal injury, you are entitled to pursue monetary compensation from the responsible party. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney could guide you through the process of filing a claim. To discuss your options, reach out to an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Types of Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries can come in different degrees of severity. The effects of these injuries are also impacted by the location on the spine where the damage occurs. When determining the amount of damages to pursue, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Atlanta must consider both of these factors during their initial case review.
Completeness of the Injury
All spinal cord injuries fall into one of two broad categories: complete injuries and incomplete injuries. These categories relate directly to the severity of the damage to the spine.
Complete spinal cord injuries occur when a spinal cord is totally severed. Due to the injury, no signals are sent or received past the location of the injury. While some treatments can increase motor function and sensation, most complete spinal injuries result in the total loss of feeling below the injury.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries involve partial tears in the spinal cord. When the cord is partially severed, it is possible for a person to retain some bodily functions. Not all incomplete spinal injuries are created equally, as the severity of the damage correlates to the amount of function that is lost.
Does Location Impact the Injury?
The portion of the spine that sustains the injury also directly impacts the consequences of that injury. The location of a spinal injury will have a major effect on the available treatment options. The types of spinal injuries include:
- Anterior cord syndrome: Damage to the frontal part of the cord
- Central cord syndrome: Damage to the internal core of the cord
- Brown-Sequard syndrome: Damage to one side of the cord
For more information about treatment options and collecting damages, contact a seasoned lawyer.
How Does Comparative Fault Affect Spinal Cord Injury Cases?
When an Atlanta spinal cord injury attorney is able to convince a jury that the defendant’s negligence caused the plaintiff’s spinal injuries, the plaintiff could recover the damages they deserve. However, in some situations, a plaintiff could be partially responsible for their injuries.
According to Georgia law, a plaintiff may only recover monetary compensation for their injuries if they are less than 50 percent at fault for their own injuries. When a plaintiff is less than 50 percent responsible, the court will reduce the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff proportionally to the percentage the plaintiff was at fault.
Discuss Your Options with an Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
An Atlanta spinal cord injury can lead to a lifetime of complications and a significantly reduced quality of life. If you have sustained one of these injuries, you deserve to recover monetary compensation from the person responsible for your injuries. By filing an injury lawsuit, you could recover monetary damages intended to cover your medical bills, physical pain, and more. To talk about your legal options, contact an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer.