Life takes a dramatic turn for people who suffer spinal cord injuries. Many victims find themselves reeling from social, mental, physical, emotional, and financial nightmares. Spinal cord injuries lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and diminished quality of life.
Taking civil action against those responsible for the accident that caused your spinal cord injury is the best move. And it is a decision that calls for working closely with a Union City personal injury lawyer with experience in dealing with spinal cord injury claims.
Attorney Gil and the team at the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, will fight aggressively for your rights and interests. Our Union City spinal cord injury lawyer will help you recover the maximum damages related to the losses, pain, and suffering caused by the injuries.
Contact us at 404-418-7816 to book a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you recover the maximum compensation for your losses, pain, and suffering.
How Much Are Spinal Cord Injuries Worth?
Many cases of damage to the spine result in permanent disabilities. Treatment is costly, and the life changes that arise from the injury can be overwhelming. How much compensation you can recover will depend on your specific case, but in general, spinal injury claims are worth a lot.
Our Union City spinal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, will fight aggressively to help you get the maximum compensation. Here are some of the damages you may be able to pursue.
Current, Future, and Past Medical Expenses
The team on your case will consider past, current, and future medical expenses when determining the value of your spinal cord injury claim. This can include surgical costs, medical bills, therapy aids like breathing machines and other equipment, and costs of modifications to your home to accommodate your disability.
Past and Future Loss of Earnings
We also will factor in lost wages (both past and future) when determining the value of your claim. If you are unable to work or earn the same amount after your injury, we will factor in the loss of earning capacity.
Loss of Enjoyment and Quality of Life
Spinal cord injuries are debilitating and degrade the victim’s quality of life, a factor your lawyer will consider when calculating your claim’s worth. Attorney Gil will fight aggressively to ensure you are compensated for the lost quality of life and inability to enjoy activities you loved before your injury.
Emotional Suffering and Distress
Spinal damage resulting in permanent disabilities turns life upside-down for many victims. They are forced to learn how to live with unexpected changes, which can lead to cases of anxiety, stress, and PTSD. Your attorney will factor in your emotional suffering and its impact on your life when determining the value of your claim.
What Are the Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spine injuries can result in complete or incomplete damage. Doctors and experts in the medical field give a more straightforward definition of the different types of spinal cord injuries.
Quadriplegia
This type of spinal cord damage, also called tetraplegia, results in complete or partial paralysis of all four limbs. People with this condition lose motion and sensory functions from the neck down to the legs. The injuries can cause significant bodily changes that also impact chest muscles, and make it hard for the victim to breathe, thus making them dependent on breathing aids.
Triplegia
It is a type of spinal injury where the victim losses motion and sensory function in three limbs. It is a rare situation with complex elements. The victim will retain the use of either one leg or arm while the other three limbs are paralyzed.
Paraplegia
Most spinal injury victims sustain damage that causes paralysis from the waist down. It is the most common injury, and the victims require wheelchairs to help with mobility.
Why Should You See a Doctor Right Away After a Back Injury?
Attorney Gil and his team highly advise people who sustain a back injury to see a doctor immediately for a comprehensive diagnosis to ensure possible spinal cord damage is identified and addressed.
It is an essential step to take because:
- The doctor and health facility have the equipment, knowledge, and skills to address life-threatening complications of a spinal cord injury.
- Swelling, bleeding, pain, and potential paralysis can result from the back injury. Treatment can mitigate the damage.
- You will be in the hands of professionals who can identify spinal damage and administer the best treatment.
- Medical records provide proof that the accident caused your spinal cord injury.
Overall, getting checked immediately after sustaining a back injury is best. Do not wait for symptoms to develop or get worse before you go to a doctor for treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Some symptoms of a spinal cord injury appear quickly, while others develop over time. It is best to rush for a medical checkup if you experience the following after a back injury:
- Numbness in your extremities (loss of sensory function)
- Extreme neck and back pain
- Loss of muscle control in your limbs
- Spasms
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of bladder control
- Strained respiratory function
What Are Some of the Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Complete or partial paralysis can occur when a person is involved in an accident where their spinal cord is fractured, compressed, crushed, or dislocated. Attorney Gil and his team in Union City have represented spinal cord injury victims involved in many different types of accidents.
The following are some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes and motorcycle accidents account for nearly half of spinal cord injury cases across the country. Bicyclists and pedestrians who are hit by vehicles often suffer spinal injuries.
Falls
Falls are the most are the primary cause of spinal cord injuries for people aged 65 years and above. Slip and fall accidents can be caused by wet floors and other unsafe conditions on a property.
Sporting or Recreation Accidents
Some sports place players at significant risk of sustaining spinal injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis. Sports account for nearly 10% of spinal cord injuries in America.
Violence
Nearly 14% of spinal cord injury cases are related to acts of violence, with incidents involving knife and bullet wounds being the most prominent.
What Damages Can I Expect to Recover If I Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
Most spinal cord injury victims can claim economic damages and non-economic damages as compensation. Economical damages are compensation for financial losses, while non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for the impact on your life.
Common recoverable damages in a spinal cord injury claim include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Cost of home modifications for a disability
- Loss of sexual intimacy
- Therapy and specialized care costs
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
How Are Spinal Cord Injury Cases Different From Other Personal Injury Cases?
Spinal injuries are life-changing incidents with lasting implications. Spinal cord damage is considered a catastrophic injury. Victims depend on long-term specialized care, and medical expenses dwindle their finances.
Hence, spinal cord injury cases are distinct from other personal injury cases. They need a different approach and are best handled by an experienced Union City spinal cord injury lawyer like Gilbert Sperling, III.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Georgia?
According to Georgia law, spinal cord injury victims must file a claim within two years from the accident date. However, the deadline can change in certain circumstances.
A seasoned attorney will inform you about the statute of limitations and help you beat the deadline. Get in touch with the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, to start the compensation claim process today.
What if a Spinal Cord Injury Happened at Work?
Since Georgia workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, spinal cord injury victims are guaranteed compensation after a work-related accident without needing to prove the employer was at fault. Workers cannot file a personal injury case against an employer for a work accident except in very rare cases.
Workers’ compensation benefits cover lost wages and medical expenses. Unlike personal injury claims, workers’ compensation does not cover intangible losses like emotional distress or pain and suffering. Hence, you cannot recover damages for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Call a Union City Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today!
Spinal cord injuries lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and diminished quality of life. If another person’s reckless or careless actions caused your injury, you should not have to shoulder the costs. You need an experienced attorney in Union City to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Gil and the team at the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III are here to help you. You don’t pay any upfront fees. In fact, we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact us at 404-418-7816 to book a free initial case review with Attorney Gil and learn more about our legal services.
