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Spinal Cord Injuries

Chattanooga Personal Injury Lawyers

Chattanooga Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Compassionate legal services you can trust after a serious injury

Spinal cord injuries are often life-altering. They’re commonly associated with partial or complete paralysis, but can also include herniated disks and other types of injuries. The lawyers of Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers have seen firsthand the physical, psychological, and financial challenges created by spinal cord injuries.

We know that these victims can lead fulfilling lives with the help of adequate treatment, rehabilitation, and adaptive devices. Therefore, our compassionate Chattanooga spinal cord injury lawyers diligently fight to secure compensation that covers the extensive costs of these medical necessities. We handle the many different types of accidents, such as car accidents, that cause spinal cord injuries.

How can we help?

  • What is a spinal cord injury?
  • How do spinal cord injuries happen in Chattanooga?
  • What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?
  • What complications may arise?
  • How do Chattanooga doctors diagnose a spinal cord injury?
  • What are the treatments for a spinal cord injury?
  • What is the value of my spinal cord injury case?
  • Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?

What is a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord damage, whether it is permanent or temporary, is always a serious personal injury. Our lawyers have handled numerous spinal cord injury cases throughout our years of practice. Our knowledge and experience extend from temporary spinal injuries to cases of permanent harm. We also work with experienced neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other physicians who specialize in the management of spinal cord injuries.

Paralysis

Within the medical community, spinal cord injuries that involve paralysis are generally classified in one of two ways:

  • Complete injury.The spinal cord is fully compressed or severed, completely eliminating the brain's ability to send signals below the point of injury. These injuries are almost always permanent, requiring adaptive measures to assist the patient with daily functions.
  • Incomplete injury. With this type of spinal cord injury, an accident victim retains some feeling and/or function below the site of the injury in one or more areas of the body. An incomplete injury has a higher likelihood of recovery. The victim’s recovery requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades spinal cord injuries as follows:

  • ASIA A. A complete spinal cord injury with no sensory or motor function
  • ASIA B. An incomplete injury where sensory function is preserved below the neurological level of injury, but there is a complete loss of motor function.
  • ASIA C. An incomplete motor function with some movement below the injury site, but more than half of the key muscles below this level cannot move against gravity.
  • ASIA D. An incomplete motor function with some movement below the injury site, and more than half of the muscle groups can move against gravity
  • ASIA E. Normal

Our knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyers understand the complexities of these injuries. Victims with injuries to the upper portion of their spinal cords may experience complete paralysis below the neck. This condition can impede an individual’s ability to breathe independently. Victims experiencing harm to the lower half of the spinal cord are more likely to have an incomplete injury, with some diminished function of the limbs.

Complete spinal injuries are separated into two categories.

  • Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs and lower half of the body.
  • Quadriplegia is paralysis of the arms and legs, along with the significant impairment of the ability to perform bodily functions.

Herniated disk

Another type of spinal injury is a herniated disk. According to the Mayo Clinic, a herniated disk refers to damage to the disk (a rubbery cushion) that sits between the bones (vertebrae) that combine to make the spine.

A spinal disk has a soft, jellylike center called a nucleus. The nucleus is encased in a tougher, rubbery exterior, known as the annulus. A herniated disk occurs when some of the nucleus pushes out through a tear in the annulus. A herniated disk is sometimes called a slipped disk or a ruptured disk.

Whether someone’s negligence left you with paraplegia, quadriplegia, or a herniated disk; Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers has the knowledge and experience to fight for the compensation your injuries deserve.

How do spinal cord injuries happen in Chattanooga?

Some of the common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?

Medical News Today states that four parts of the spine may be hurt:

  • Cervical spine (vertebrae C1 through C7, which contain a total of eight cervical nerve roots)
  • Thoracic spine (vertebrae T1 through T12)
  • Lumbar spine (vertebrae L1 through L5)
  • Sacral spine (vertebrae S1 through S5)

Generally, spinal cord injuries affect the nerves in these four parts. The nerves send pain signals to the brain. Common spinal cord injury symptoms include:

  • Pain or a strong stinging sensation
  • Difficulty breathing, coughing, or other lung disorders
  • The inability to move
  • Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
  • Loss of sensation or a change in sensation
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

Herniated disk symptoms include arm or leg pain, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness.

What complications may arise?

The possible complications, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:

  • Pain
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Pressure injuries due to the lack of movement
  • Circulation disorders, such as low blood pressure, swelling in the legs and arms, and an increased risk of blood clots.
  • Respiratory disorders, if the spinal cord injury affects the victim’s chest and stomach muscles
  • An increased risk of osteoporosis
  • Changes in muscle tone
  • Weight loss
  • Changes in sexual health
  • Depression

How do Chattanooga doctors diagnose a spinal cord injury?

Doctors generally use the following diagnostic tests for spinal cord injuries:

  • Questioning the victim
  • Testing the victim’s ability to move and the victim’s sensory function
  • X-rays, which can reveal damage to the vertebrae and any tumors or changes in the spine.
  • CT scan. This is a more diagnostic test that uses a cross-section of computerized images.
  • This test uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to help look for herniated disks, blood clots, or other masses that might compress the spinal cord.

A comprehensive neurological exam is usually conducted when some of the swelling has gone down. This exam tests your muscle strength and your ability to sense light touch and pinprick sensations.

What are the treatments for a spinal cord injury?

While there is no way to reverse spinal cord damage, there are many ways to treat spinal cord damage. These methods include:

  • Emergency medical care, often at the accident site, to stabilize the spine
  • Emergency room care to prevent shock, keep you breathing, immobilize your neck, and help reduce the risk of complications
  • Surgery may be necessary to remove bone fragments, herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, and foreign objects that may be compressing the spine
  • Treatments after ER care and surgery may include:
    • Medications
    • Traction and other immobilization methods
    • Prevention of other disorders
    • Rehabilitative therapy, including physical and occupational therapy, care by a physiatrist, and other types of therapy
    • Psychological counseling
    • Assistive help, which includes wheelchairs, computer adaptations, and electronic aids (that can be voice-controlled)
    • Electrical stimulation devices to help with movement
    • Support groups
    • New experimental treatments

What is the value of my spinal cord injury case?

We are committed to helping spinal cord injury victims live their best possible lives. We work hard to secure a level of compensation that will adequately cover current and future medical and rehabilitative needs.

By working with trusted professionals in the medical field and life planners, we are able to provide a comprehensive view of the surgeries, medication, therapies, and rehabilitation that our clients will need to reclaim their lives. We then use this information to determine a fair and honest level of compensation from the party responsible. Our request for damages considers numerous factors, including:

  • Your medical bills. These include emergency transport, ER care, surgeries, hospital stays, and doctor visits. Your medical bills also include rehabilitative therapy, psychological therapy, in-home nursing assistance, assistive devices/technology, home modifications, medical equipment, transportation, and medications.
  • Your lost wages and income, including long-term disability compensation
  • Your physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Loss of life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium (marital companionship)
  • Punitive damages, if the cause of the accident was intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless

Do you have a spinal cord injury lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet personal injury victims and families at our Chattanooga office located at 701 Market Street, Suite 310, Chattanooga. If your spinal cord injuries prevent you from traveling, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a healthcare facility. We also speak with clients by phone and through online video.

Contact our respected Chattanooga spinal cord injury attorneys to fight for you and your family

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, contact our hometown law firm dedicated to justice. The reputable injury attorneys at Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers are members of your community. We’ve been fighting for personal injury victims since 1945. Call us today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.