man holding his lower back due to spinal cord pain

Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are all too common in Alabama and throughout the United States. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 54 spinal cord injuries per 1 million people occur in the U.S. yearly, or about 18,000 new cases. An estimated 300,000 people in the U.S. currently live with a spinal cord injury.

Did you suffer a spinal cord injury in an accident in Athens, Alabama? If someone else was to blame for your spinal cord injury, you may have the right to pursue financial relief for your ongoing and future expenses and personal losses.

The Athens spinal cord injury lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., want to help you seek the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact our firm for a free initial case review with an Athens spinal cord injury lawyer and learn more about your legal options.

Why You Should Choose Our Athens Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

If you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident that was not your fault, our spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to assist you with pursuing your legal claim. Selecting the right law firm could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

For over 50 years, injured people in Athens and across Alabama have turned to Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., for help in their pursuit of justice because:

  • Our full-service law firm is adept at handling catastrophic injury cases across Alabama and obtaining significant verdicts and settlements for our clients.
  • We vigorously pursue maximum compensation for our clients. Insurance companies know we will take a case to trial if they do not offer the full and fair amount our clients deserve.
  • We provide compassionate, practical legal advice that accounts for the challenges caused by a devastating spinal cord injury. Our firm treats each client with the kindness and dignity they deserve.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Athens, Alabama

Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries include the following:

Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are typically classified as either incomplete or complete injuries. An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is not entirely severed, allowing the injured person to retain some feeling and function below the level of the injury. In a complete spinal cord injury, however, the spinal cord entirely severs, cutting off all signals between the brain and the body below the level of the injury.

Medical professionals also classify spinal cord injuries by location on the spinal cord. The spinal column has three primary regions:

  • Lumbar spinal cord injuries occur in the lowest primary region of the spine, resulting in paralysis in the legs and sometimes the pelvis.
  • Thoracic spinal cord injuries occur in the middle region of the spine, affecting the lower torso and sometimes the abdomen and lower chest.
  • Cervical spinal cord injuries occur in the top region, usually causing total body paralysis from the neck and shoulders down.

Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Depending on the type of injury, a spinal cord injury can cause symptoms that may begin immediately after an accident. Examples of signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:

  • Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
  • Weakness, loss of coordination, or paralysis in any part of the body
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Impaired breathing
  • Odd positioning or twisting of the neck or back
  • Inability to feel heat, cold, or touch
  • Exaggerated reflexes or muscle spasms
  • Severe pain or an intense stinging sensation around the spine
  • Changes in sexual function or sensitivity

Treatments and Costs Related to Spinal Injuries

Unfortunately, current medical technology cannot repair the damage caused by a spinal cord injury. Instead, treatment focuses on stabilizing the injury, preventing further damage, and preparing the injured person to resume an active, independent life based on disabilities or limitations due to the injury.

Early-stage treatment usually begins at the accident scene, with medical professionals focused on preventing shock, maintaining the patient’s ability to breathe, and immobilizing the neck and back to prevent further injury. Some spinal cord injury victims will need surgery to remove debris and bone fragments, repair fractured vertebrae, and install rods and screws to stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformity.

Once a spinal cord injury has stabilized, treatment focuses on managing complications and providing rehabilitation to restore or maintain motor function and fine motor skills and learn adaptations to cope with disabilities. Treatment may include medications for managing pain, controlling muscle spasticity, improving bladder and bowel control, managing blood pressure, and restoring sexual function.

Types of Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury in Athens, Alabama

You may have the right to recover compensation for ongoing and future financial and personal losses arising from your spinal cord injury, including for:

  • Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy
  • Long-term care and support services, including home health care, housekeeping, mobility equipment, and installation of disability accommodations
  • Ongoing and future losses of income and employment benefits if you cannot work due to injury and disability
  • Physical pain and emotional distress you experience
  • Loss of quality of life and reduced life expectancy

Under Alabama’s statute of limitations, you usually have only two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit against liable parties. Although two years may seem like plenty of time, it is critical to take action as soon as possible before evidence goes missing and memories fade. For this reason, contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., as soon as possible to ensure your case gets filed promptly.

How Can an Attorney Help with My Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury can have catastrophic consequences. You may need substantial medical care and rehabilitation to learn how to cope with the limitations imposed by your injury. A spinal cord lawyer can handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your treatment. Your attorney can help you by:

  • Investigating the accident that caused your injury to secure evidence for your case
  • Identifying the parties who may bear liability for your injury
  • Documenting your ongoing and future financial expenses to help you seek total compensation
  • Filing insurance and legal claims on your behalf
  • Pursuing maximum compensation through a settlement or by taking your claims to trial

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence in Athens, get legal help to pursue financial relief and justice. Contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today for a free no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable spinal injury attorney in Athens, Alabama.