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Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Representing spinal cord injury victims across Georgia

Approximately 12,500 spinal cord injuries occur in the United States each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Database. The causes of these life-changing injuries, ranging in severity from temporary to life-threatening, are numerous.

The lawyers at Harris Lowry Manton LLP handle the most serious spinal cord injuries. Using their combined knowledge and experience, they routinely secure high-value settlements and verdicts for spinal cord injury clients, including:

  • $47.7 million jury verdict against Ford Motor Company, when a defective seat back crushed a 6-year-old girl, who is now paralyzed from the chest down.
  • $40 million jury verdict against Ford Motor Company for a defective gear shifter, which caused a Ford Explorer to shift out of park and roll over a woman, rendering her paraplegic.
  • $18 million jury verdict against SouthCoast Medical Group, for delayed diagnosis and treatment of a woman’s spinal epidural abscess, which led to permanent paralysis.[Verdicts]

Our office welcomes attorney referrals, as well as direct client calls. If you or a family member has suffered a spinal cord injury, turn to our dedicated Atlanta spinal injury lawyers for knowledgeable and skilled representation.

How can we help?

What Do I Do if a Loved One Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury?

What are the common types of spinal cord injuries?

The spinal cord is one of the most complex areas of the body, controlling numerous functions. An injury to the spine can significantly impact the victim’s physical, mental and financial well-being.

Spinal cord injuries generally fall into two categories:

  • Incomplete spinal cord injuries. These injuries result when the cord is partially severed. The injured party is usually able to retain some level of function. Examples of an incomplete injury include anterior cord syndrome, where an individual may have difficulty with movement. With central cord syndrome, the victim may also lose control of motor skills and basic bodily functions.
  • Complete spinal cord injuries. Complete injuries result when the spinal cord is fully severed. Though treatment may lessen the impact, most patients suffer complete loss of bodily functions and experience paralysis. Quadriplegia and paraplegia are examples of a complete spinal cord injuries, where the patient is unable to move limbs below the site of injury.

The skillful Atlanta spinal injury attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton LLP are experienced in handling various spinal cord injury cases and understand the many complexities of this injury.

How do spinal cord injuries occur?

Spinal cord damage can be the result of an infection, a penetrating injury or a non-penetrating injury. Among the more common causes are:

  • Motor vehicle accidents. A collision between cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians and/or cyclists can lead to life-altering injuries. Being thrown from, or hit by, a vehicle puts you at risk of a spinal cord injury.
  • Falls. Falls are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. Certain industries, such as construction or entertainment, may be at a greater risk, but a trip down a set of stairs, or a fall from any height, can be dangerous.
  • Medical malpractice. An undiagnosed infection can lead to a spinal abscess, which can lead to paralysis if left untreated. Surgical errors, medication errors and other delays in diagnosis and treatment may lead to a spinal cord injury. A misplaced epidural during labor and delivery can also pose a risk.
  • Sports and recreation. Contact sports, such as football, wrestling and rugby, are dangerous even for highly trained players. One wrong move, or a bad hit, can leave a player paralyzed.
  • Diving in shallow water. Diving into lakes or off the rocks along the coast can increase your risk of injury, but so can diving in a pool. Pool owners should make the risks very clear, and post signs around the pool that warn of the dangers.

Severity of a spinal cord injury

The severity of a spinal cord injury determines the level of treatment. In some of the most serious cases, the ultimate goal is to treat the symptoms only and to provide the patient with some level of comfort, when recovery of movement or feeling is not feasible. Some common spinal cord treatments include:

  • Ventilators to assist with breathing
  • Surgery, when necessary
  • Prescription medications for pain management
  • Intensive physical therapy to regain mobility and bodily function

Another vital aspect of spinal cord injury treatment is support for the family. When victims suffer paralysis, family members take on the responsibility of providing necessary care. This can be a challenging situation, both emotionally and financially.

Our accomplished Georgia spinal injury lawyers recognize the strain that a spinal cord injury places on the entire family. That’s why we diligently work to secure a level of compensation that accounts for these added challenges, which can require costly, long-term medical treatment.

Seeking treatment for a spinal cord injury in Georgia

If you sustain a spinal cord injury that requires intensive rehabilitative care, you may end up at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a not-for-profit hospital that specializes in spinal cord and brain injuries. U.S. News & World Report ranks Shepherd Center as the 9th best rehabilitation center in the country, out of 295 ranked facilities.

There are five other rehabilitation centers in Georgia:

  • Emory Rehabilitation Hospital, in Atlanta
  • HealthSouth Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, in Augusta
  • Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah, in Savannah
  • Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health, in Macon
  • Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital-Rehab, in Warm Springs

If your child is injured, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta offers programs designed specifically for children and teens.

What is my spinal cord injury case worth?

The value of a spinal cord injury case depends on the severity of the injury. However, according to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the lifetime costs of a complete spinal cord injury can run between two and four million dollars or more. Other factors that contribute to the value of your claim include your current and future medical needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys work with a number of professional experts to assess your losses and ensure you receive the compensation to which you’re entitled.

What is the time limit for a spinal injury claim in Georgia?

The statute of limitations to file any type of personal injury claim is two years, according to state law. However, we recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a spinal cord injury. This allows us to gather as much evidence as we can, as well as document your injuries and assist you in receiving the proper medical treatment.

Why do I need an Atlanta spinal injury attorney?

When you suffer a catastrophic injury in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you’re eligible to seek compensation from the negligent party. The injury lawyers at Harris Lowry Manton protect that right and ensure the liable party is held responsible for your losses, damages, and pain. We are compassionate with our clients and we understand both the financial and emotional costs of your injury. Conversely, we are aggressive in the courtroom, and will fight for the best possible outcome for your case.

Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyers with a strong track record of success

The knowledgeable Georgia spinal injury attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton LLP understand the consequences of a serious spinal cord injury. We’ve secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients who have sustained serious spinal cord injuries.

We are prepared to guide you through the legal process, working with you to secure appropriate compensation for your injuries. We appreciate attorney referrals and work hard to maintain our reputation for success within the legal community.

Why not put our experience and knowledge to work in your spinal cord injury case? Call our Atlanta office at 404-961-7650 or our Savannah office at 912-651-9967 to schedule a free consultation. You can also complete our contact form online.

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