Losing the ability to walk or move freely from one place to another is an injury that most people find unimaginable. When the loss of mobility is a result of a doctor’s poor surgical skill, a nurse’s inability to recognize a deteriorating neurological condition, a healthcare professional’s failure to perform a proper examination, a driver texting behind the wheel or a truck driver operating an 18-wheeler under the influence of drugs or without the required rest/sleep, it is senseless and heart wrenching. It did not have to happen.

The damages associated with a spinal injury are horrific, life-changing, and wreak financial hardship. Having a lawyer who has represented a number of spinal cord injury (SCI) victims is imperative. As a nurse who has provided care to SCI patients, and as an attorney who has represented victims of medical malpractice, car wrecks, construction site accidents, and trucking accidents, all resulting in SCIs, I understand the needs of the SCI patient and their family.

Having a team to assist you in getting the care you need and compensation from the careless individuals who caused the SCI is our goal at Dellacona Law Firm. Please call me, Tracey Dellacona, at Dellacona Law Firm. I would be honored to speak to you, and the consultation is free. Call 478-477-9000.

What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury is an injury to the spinal column’s bones, nerves, blood vessels, or the spinal cord itself. The spinal cord is often referred to as the superhighway connecting the brain to the rest of the body. Injuries along this critical route can result in nerve damage, the inability to control your bowel and bladder, intense pain, and partial or full paralysis.

What are common causes of spinal cord injuries (SCIs)?

Spinal cord injuries can occur from multiple mishaps, accidents, or by the negligence of others. SCIs can occur as a result of car accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, swimming or boating accidents, contact sports, gunshot or knife wounds, birth injuries, incorrect surgical procedures, incorrect blood thinner administration, other medical malpractice acts, or diseases such as cancer.

SCI Symptoms:

What are the types of spinal cord injuries?

There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. A person with incomplete injuries has some function in the body parts below the location of the injury on the spine, while people with complete injuries do not have any motor or sensory function below the spinal cord injury.

How are spinal cord injuries assessed?

If you’ve been in an accident or experienced a sudden trauma resulting in a spinal cord injury, medical personnel are trained to stabilize your spine to prevent further injury and conduct diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to figure out the location of your spinal injury and the extent of your injuries. MRIs and CT scans provide greater detail about the spinal column and spinal cord than X-rays.

What treatments are available for spinal cord injuries?

Depending on the time and location of the SCI, physicians may order intravenous steroids to reduce spinal cord edema, apply braces and collars to support the spine, or perform surgery to implant internal spinal stabilization devices like plates, cages, and screws. Long term physical and occupational therapy may be needed as well as home renovations to accommodate mobility assist devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and other equipment.

Can a spinal cord injury lawyer help me?

The statute of limitations in Georgia to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit is two years in most cases. Exceptions do exist and these time limitations require careful evaluation. If your injury was due to the negligence of a person or organization, call an experienced spinal cord lawyer. I offer a free consultation to learn the specifics of your case and help you make the best decision for your situation. Call me, Tracey Dellacona, at Dellacona Law Firm at 478-477-9000.