DeKalb County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
The injuries people can sustain in an accident could follow them for months, years, and in some cases, the rest of their life. Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries and can permanently impact a victim’s quality of life.
If you or someone you love was harmed by a negligent party, then you need to speak to a DeKalb County spinal cord injury lawyer. Experienced legal counsel who are aided by an in-house doctor could work together to build your case and hold responsible parties accountable.
Spinal Cord Injury Types
The type of spinal cord injury a person sustains in an accident depends on where the damage is located on the spinal column. Spinal cord injuries can range from fractures, bulging discs, and herniated discs to partial or total paralysis.
Paraplegia may result from injury to the spine, and indicates that the person has minimal to no use of his or her muscles from the waist downward. Another form of paralysis that can result from injury to the spinal cord is quadriplegia, which is when muscle function is minimal or nonexistent below the neck.
A DeKalb County accident victim who sustains a spinal cord injury may also experience respiratory challenges, spasms, diminished sensation, and sexual impairment. Difficulty moving the extremities or walking, persistent headaches, limited mobility, and the inability to manage bodily functions are also signs of a spinal cord injury.
Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
DeKalb County spinal cord injuries are classified as being either complete or incomplete. Complete spinal cord injuries indicate the individual has suffered a complete loss of feeling and use beneath the injury location. On the other hand, an incomplete spinal cord injury is when a certain degree of feeling and/or functional use is retained beneath the location where damage was sustained.
Spinal Cord Injury Locations and Physical Outcomes
The long-term physical outcome of a spinal cord injury is determined by the region of the spinal column that sustains damage. The different regions of the spinal column are as follows:
- Sacral spinal cord
- Thoracic spinal cord
- Lumbar spinal cord
- Cervical spinal cord
The sacral region is responsible for transmitting communication between the spinal cord and the lower extremities. As such, when a person sustains sacral spinal cord injuries, they may suffer paraplegia, inability to control the bowels, sexual impairment, and incontinence.
The thoracic area of the spinal column may also lead to paraplegia along with diminished feeling and control over bodily functions. In rare cases, the upper extremities may be impacted. Lumbar spinal cord injuries frequently result in sexual impairment and paraplegia.
Damage inflicted upon the cervical spine may inflict the most devastating spinal cord injuries. Typically, cervical damage causes quadriplegia, or paralysis in all four extremities. Cervical spinal cord injuries are also characterized by breathing troubles, inability to control bodily functions, and loss of feeling in the affected region.
Contact a DeKalb County Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
The long-term effects of spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic and require long-term medical care and treatment. A DeKalb County spinal cord injury lawyer may be able to assist if you sustained a spinal injury due to another person’s reckless actions. With the help of an in-house medical professional, attorneys could rely on medical experience to build a case to help you.
Contact an attorney who takes calls after hours for a free case review today.
