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Spinal Cord Injury
Perhaps the worst physical injury one can suffer is damage to the spinal cord. The most prominent example is Christopher Reeve, who one day was “Superman” and the next was a quadriplegic. We see some of our clients who have spinal cord injuries as super men and women too.
Inspired by them, we try to keep abreast of advances in medical treatment of spinal cord injuries. Understanding of the full range of effects of spinal cord injury — such as muscle spasticity, pressure sores and autonomic dysreflexia — well enough to explain them to a judge and jurors, is essential to trial advocacy for spinal cord injury survivors.
With our office just a few blocks from the Shepherd Center, one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the nation, we are often called by family members of spinal cord injury victims. In working with people who have such injuries, we have been inspired by the resilience of the human spirit. Both physical and emotional aspects of spinal cord injury are devastating. However, one may work through the depression accompanying spinal cord injury to see that even under such adverse circumstances sometimes still the “glass is half full.”
Although most people know this type of injury can be a devastating diagnosis, not everyone knows there are many different types of spinal cord injuries. The location of the injury along the spinal cord determines what parts of the body are affected. Different types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Affects vertebrae C1-C8 and causes paralysis or weakness in both arms and legs. This is also known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia.
- Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: Affects vertebrae T1-T12. These injuries can cause paralysis or weakness of the legs along with loss of physical sensation, bowel, bladder and sexual function.
- Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury: Affects vertebrae L1-L5 and result in weakness or paralysis of the legs. This is also known as paraplegia.
- Sacral Spinal Cord Injury: Affects vertebrae S1-S5. Sacral level injuries mainly cause loss of bowel and bladder function as well as sexual dysfunction. They can also cause weakness of paralysis of the hips and legs.
Injuries can also be complete or incomplete. Complete injuries are indicated by a total lack of sensory and motor function below the level of injury, whereas incomplete injuries are marked by some remaining sensation and movement.
While much is taken, often much remains. Many people with spinal cord injuries surmount extreme adversity to lead productive lives. Jim Langevin became a quadriplegic at 16, and is now a Congressman from Rhode Island. Brooke Ellison has been a vent-dependent quad since age 11, but graduated from Harvard with honors. While these are exceptional people, they illustrate the fact that a useful life is still possible after spinal cord injury.
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 treatment and rehab options are there?
- 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 obtain a good quality of life. Some return to work and college . We represented a quadriplegia who returned to teaching college and writing book. One paraplegic returned to college, drove herself across the country in a car with hand controls, got a job teaching school, and became Ms. Wheelchair California doing adaptive surfing with TV stars.
Where can I get top spinal cord rehab in Atlanta?
Two top rehab centers in Atlanta are:
- Shepherd Center – a nationally promient 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 crashes, falls, and sports injuries. Some are from diseases, tumors, or infections .
How can a lawyer help with a spinal cord injury claim?
We can:
- Travel to meet you—home or hospital—and work closely with rehab centers.
- Coordinate with your medical team to fund your rehabilitation plan.
- Navigate the complex insurance and benefits issues
- Explain medical facts like pressure sores or autonomic dysreflexia to jurors
Why choose Johnson & Ward for spinal cord injury cases?
- A family-centered approach: we treat you like family, take hospital visits, and give free consultation
- Deep knowledge of SCI effects: paralysis, spasticity, pressure sores, bladder issues
- Proven results in big cases for clients with catastrophic injuries
- Local experience with Shepherd and Emory rehab centers
How can I contact Johnson & Ward?
- For a free consultation, call <a href="http://<a>tel:14042537862404‑253‑7862 or contact us online.
- We work on serious personal injury and wrongful death cases only