Accidents which affect the spinal cord can cause life-altering injuries requiring surgical procedures, extended hospital stays, and a very real chance of suffering paralysis including paraplegia and quadriplegia.

If you have been the victim of a spinal cord injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer to discuss your situation. Let an adept catastrophic injury attorney determine the full extent of your injuries and evaluate every legal option available to you.

Complexities of the Spinal Cord

The human spinal cord is a complex column of nerves which is secured by over 30 vertebrae which sends information from the brain to nerves which connect with other parts of the body.

The spinal cord is broken down into four specific regions; the cervical spinal cord, the thoracic spinal cord, the lumbar spinal cord, and the sacral spinal cord – each of which controls different areas of the body:

• Cervical spinal cord: this is the uppermost portion of the spinal cord where the brain connects to the spinal cord and the neck connects to the back. The cervical region, referred to as C1-C8, has eight vertebrae
• Thoracic spinal cord: this is the middle section of the spinal cord. The thoracic region, referred to as T1-T12, consists of twelve vertebrae
• Lumbar spinal cord: this is the lower region of the spinal cord. The lumbar region, commonly referred to as L1-L5, consists of five vertebrae
• Sacral spinal cord: this is the lowest region of the spinal cord. The sacral region, referred to as S-1-S5, consists of five vertebrae

Can Spinal Cord Injuries Lead to Paralysis?

There is one additional spinal cord region known as the coccygeal (the tailbone) which consists of a single vertebra at the very bottom of the spinal cord.

Severe cervical spinal cord injuries commonly result in some degree of paralysis ranging from paraplegia (loss of use of arms or legs) to quadriplegia (or tetraplegia) which can affect the upper and lower body. Conversely, injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions most commonly result in paraplegia – which generally affects only the lower part of the body.

As a general rule, regardless of the extent of the injury, body parts below the injury level are the ones most likely affected. Spinal cord injuries are extremely individual and the amount of paralysis and functionality, whether related to paraplegia or quadriplegia, are unique in every situation. However, paralysis can be debilitating and hinder someone’s ability to work. A skilled Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer can work diligently to help individuals pursue compensation and file for disability, if necessary.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury can be caused by injuries to the bones of the spine or to the soft structures.  When the spinal vertebral bodies are damaged, usually in a violent event like a truck or car wreck or fall, they can shift out of alignment and encroach on the spinal cord and cause permanent damage to it. Similarly, a spinal cord injury can be caused by injury to the disks. The spinal disks are jelly donut like cushions between the bones.

When the disk is severely injured the jelly-like inside can be caused to move into the spinal canal.  This is called a herniated disc or ruptured nucleus pulposus. Most of the time, this disk material affects only the nerves that exit the spinal cord – but not always.

What are the Long-Term Consequences of Severe Back Injuries?

While the loss of mobility or ability to use an arm is obvious, spinal cord injury side effects can also include:

• Headaches
• Constant intractable pain
• Infections
• Loss of fertility
• Loss of libido or sexual function
• Nerve pain
• Personality and mood disorders
• Gait, mobility, and balance problems

The bottom line is that spinal cord injuries are often life-changing and can result in significant medical bills, lost income, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. An Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer can assist individuals that are interested in pursuing compensation for their injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury Victims May Be Entitled to Compensation

Spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic, resulting in millions of dollars of medical costs and lost income, and require someone to alter how they live. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

Let a skilled attorney analyze the details of your accident and evaluate the full extent of your injuries so that you can make an informed decision about what is right for you.

Keep in mind that Georgia’s statute of limitations in which to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally only two years from the date of the accident. Those who fail to meet that short deadline risk being barred from recovery. Do not let that happen to you. Contact an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer that can help.