Spinal cord damage accounts for some of the most severe injuries a person can suffer. Traumatic spinal damage can leave a victim temporarily or permanently paralyzed, and the injury can affect multiple different parts of the body. In addition to the physical pain and emotional trauma, a victim and their family may also face significant medical costs in the wake of an accident.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe back or neck injury in an accident caused by another person, you may be able to pursue financial compensation with help from a skilled attorney. Learn more about your legal options by speaking to a Roswell spinal cord injury lawyer today.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Damage
The spinal cord is both delicate and incredibly important to the rest of the body’s physical movements. Unfortunately, injuries to the spine can occur in many different scenarios. The most common causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Severe motor vehicle collisions
- Sporting accidents
- Slip and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Swimming or diving accidents
- Medical malpractice
Regardless of how a spinal injury occurs, a victim could seek compensation if their accident was caused by another party’s negligent or reckless behavior. Roswell residents who have suffered spinal damage should consult a knowledgeable attorney on the available options for recovering from their losses.
Recoverable Damages for Spinal Cord-Related Injuries
Spinal injury claims typically seek to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses. In some cases, punitive damages (i.e., damages awarded to punish a wrongdoer rather than compensate an injured party) may be awarded, but this is uncommon for these types of cases.
Economic damages are awarded to an injured party for their pecuniary or tangible losses. These typically include:
- Past and future loss of wages and earning potential
- Medical care and treatment costs
- Loss of income
Unlike economic damages, which have a monetary value, non-economic damages cover subject losses. Under § 51-13-1(a)(4) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), non-economic damages may include losses suffered in relation to emotional distress, disfigurement, mental anguish, or diminished enjoyment of life.
Because spinal cord injuries can be so devastating, a victim may need to pursue a substantial amount of compensation. However, proving eligibility for damage awards is difficult without legal representation, so spinal injury victims should work with a skilled local attorney when filing their civil claims.
Speak with a Seasoned Roswell Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A serious injury to the spine may have consequences that affect a victim for the rest of their life. Temporary or permanent paralysis can impact a person’s future prospects and require expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one recently sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident resulting from another party's negligence, you could seek to recover compensation. A persistent attorney could assist in filing a civil injury claim against the party responsible and help you move forward with your life. For more information on the filing process for civil suits, get in touch with a Roswell spinal cord injury lawyer today.