According to the University of Alabama’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are an estimated 288,000 people living with spinal cord injuries(SCI) in the United States as of this year. In fact, spinal cord injuries tend to be more prevalent in different segments of the population based on characteristics such as age, gender, etc. For example, about 78% of spinal cord injuries are sustained by males, and the average age at the time of injury is 43 years old.
The most common cause of an SCI is a car accident, which is followed by falls, acts of violence, and recreational accidents. When an injury occurs due to the actions of another person in these common scenarios, your ability to seek damages for your injuries falls under the umbrella of personal injury law in Atlanta.
The Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury in Atlanta
Sustaining a spinal cord injury can be a catastrophic and life changing event. Moreover, an SCI can be expensive from both a short-term and long-term perspective. The average amount of time spent in a hospital initially for an SCI is 11 days, and the average time spent in a rehabilitation center for a spinal cord injury is 34 days. Due to this, a spinal cord injury at the lowest level, AIS-D, can carry health care and cost of living expenses that are estimated to cost $359,783 on average in the first year, and these expenses typically continue at an estimated rate of $43,700 per year for each subsequent year after the date of injury.
Common Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
As personal injury lawyers in Atlanta, we have seen a number of different scenarios involving spinal cords injuries. In most cases, the amount of damage a spinal cord injury causes can be exacerbated by a failure to seek medical attention. An estimated 30% of people suffering from an SCI are re-hospitalized one or more times during any year subsequent to the date of injury. So, whether you were recently involved in an accident or previously sustained a spinal cord injury, there are certain symptoms you should be aware of that could indicate an emergency situation such as:
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- Extreme pain or pressure in the neck, back, or skull
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- Mild, moderate, or sever paralysis in any portion of your body such as your arms, legs, etc.
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- Numbness, tingling, or paralysis in any of your appendages such as your hands, feet, toes, or fingers.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
Personal Injury Law in Atlanta
Personal injury lawyers in Atlanta practice in an area of law known as “Tort Law.” Tort law encompases many different types of cases where the law provides a civil remedy for damages caused by another person or entity. Personal injury law encompases several different types of tort violations many of which are connected to negligence. Georgia establishes its own unique definition of negligence, which is referred to as regular negligence by statute, and gross negligence under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2 and O.C.G.A. § 51-1-4 respectively.
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- Regular Negligence: failure to exercise a degree of care that a normal prudent person would exercise in a similar situation or circumstance.
- Gross Negligence: failure to exercise a degree of care that even an inattentive person would exercise in a similar situation or circumstance.
The most common instances where spinal cord injuries occur, such as a car accident or a slip and fall, generally involve a negligent act committed by another person or entity such as a business. In each of these instance, you, as the injured party, can seek compensation for damages caused by the negligent party.
Types of Damages in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
Generally, lawsuits brought in connection with a spinal cord injury seek compensatory damages, which are also referred to as “actual damages.” Compensatory damages are designed indemnify or compensate you for your injuries and any economic losses you have incurred such as lost wages, debts incurred due to medical bills, and compensation for pain and suffering. The appropriate damages to seek and how to demonstrate those damages in a court of law is a matter of legal strategy and should be discussed with a personal injury lawyer.
Our team of personal injury lawyers in Atlanta have witnessed first hand the devastating effect a spinal cord injury can have on a person’s life. In many instances, the damage caused by a spinal cord injury can last a lifetime, which why choosing an aggressive personal injury lawyer to represent you is such a crucial part of seeking the compensation you deserve. Don’t let an accident caused by another person ruin your life. Call the Law office of Cambre and Associates today for a free consultation.