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Spinal Cord Injuries
Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyers
Among the worst injuries a person can have is spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis, either quadriplegia or paraplegia. We are fortunate here in Atlanta that we have two great rehab centers for traumatic spinal cord injury: The Shepherd Center and the Emory Rehab Center. Both are excellent.
Some of our spinal cord injury clients who have been treated at one or both of those places have really inspired me. We had a quadriplegic client who was determined to return to college teaching and write books with the assistance and technology that were provided through the money we were able to recover for him in his case.
One young woman who was a paraplegic due to her injury, moved out west on her own and became Miss Wheelchair California and did such things as adaptive surfing with TV stars. Both physical and emotional aspects of spinal cord injuries are devastating. However, one may work through that depression to see that even under the most adverse circumstances, sometimes the glass is still half full. I never cease to be amazed by the resilience of the human spirit.
Some people with these injuries have gone onto accomplish great things in life even getting elected to Congress and graduating from Harvard and other things you would never expect. Inspired by them we try and keep abreast of the advances in medical treatment of spinal cord injury.
Understanding the full range of the effects of spinal cord injuries such as muscle spasticity, pressure sores, autonomic dysreflexia and so forth is important to be able to explain those to judge and jurors and is essential to trial advocacy for spinal cord injury survivors. If you or a loved one have had a spinal cord injury that was someone else’s fault, give us a call. We are just a few minutes from both Shepherd and Emory and would be happy to meet with you wherever is most convenient even at the hospital so you don’t have to leave your loved ones side. I look forward to talking with you.
Spinal Cord Injuries: FAQ | Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the main nerve bundle in your back. It can block signals from your brain, causing loss of movement, feeling, or control of body parts below the injury .
What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?
- Complete injury: No feeling or movement below the injury.
- Incomplete injury: Some feeling or movement remains.
Injuries are also listed by level: - Cervical (C1–C8): Affects arms and legs (quadriplegia)
- Thoracic (T1–T12): Affects legs and trunk
- Lumbar (L1–L5): Affects legs (paraplegia)
- Sacral (S1–S5): Affects hips, legs, and bladder/bowel control .
What symptoms and side effects come with a spinal cord injury?
- Loss of movement or feeling below the injury
- Trouble controlling bladder or bowel
- Muscle stiffness (spasticity)
- Pressure sores, infections
- Low blood pressure or other body changes .
How is a spinal cord injury diagnosed?
Doctors use:
- Symptom check (loss of feeling or movement)
- Imaging tests: X‑rays, CT scans, or MRI to find the injury level ().
What spinal cord injury treatment and rehab options are there in Atlanta?
- Immediately: Stabilize the spine and keep up blood pressure
- Surgery: To realign bones or remove pressure
- Long‑term rehab: Physical and occupational therapy
- Advanced therapies: Stem cells, robotic exoskeletons, spinal stimulation are being tested .
Can people recover from spinal cord injuries?
Recovery depends on injury type and care. People with incomplete injuries often regain some function. Rehab and new tech (like exoskeletons) help. Many regain a good quality of life, and some return to work and college . We had a quadriplegic client who returned to teaching in a college and writing books. We had a paraplegic client who drove herself to across the country, got a job teaching school there, and became Ms. Wheelchair California doing adaptive surfing with entertainment personalities.
Where can I get top spinal cord rehab in Atlanta?
There are two top rehab centers in Atlanta:
- Shepherd Center – 152‑bed facility in Atlanta, a leading SCI rehab hospital .
- Emory Rehab Center – Known for spinal injury care.
Our firm is close to both and can meet you at hospitals.
What causes spinal cord injuries?
Most are from car and truck crashes, falls, and sports injuries. Some are from diseases, tumors, or infections. We have handled spinal cord injuries that resulted from auto rollovers with complex auto products liability issues.
How can a lawyer help with a spinal cord injury claim?
A lawyer can:
- Travel to meet you—home or hospital—and work closely with rehab centers.
- Coordinate with your medical providers to fund your care plan
- Handle insurance and liability issues
- Explain medical facts like pressure sores or autonomic dysreflexia to jurors
Why choose Johnson & Ward for spinal cord injury cases?
- Deep knowledge of SCI effects: paralysis, spasticity, pressure sores, bladder issues
- A family-centered approach: we treat you like family, take hospital visits, and give free consultation
- Successful track record with catastrophic injury cases through generations of lawyers since 1949
- Current partners include past presidents of the Georgia and Atlanta Bars, first Georgia lawyer to earn three nationally board certifications in civil trial practice, civil pretrial practice, and truck accident law, and author of eleven annual editions of a Georgia law treatise on personal injury practice.
- Local experience with Shepherd and Emory rehab centers
How can I contact Johnson & Ward?
- For a free consultation call 404‑253‑7862, or contact us online.