Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spine supports nearly everything you do, from standing and lifting to walking and sleeping. When an accident damages it, the effects can range from weeks of painful recovery to permanent changes in movement and sensation.

Back and spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive and life-altering injuries in personal injury cases. Understanding the different types, and how they are proven, helps you protect your future.

Back Injuries vs. Spinal Cord Injuries

The terms are related but not the same.

Back injuries affect the bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments of the spine. Common examples include:

• Herniated or bulging discs that press on nearby nerves
• Vertebral fractures, including compression fractures
• Sprains and strains of the muscles and ligaments
• Pinched nerves that cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs

Spinal cord injuries damage the bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the body. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this damage can cause temporary or permanent changes in feeling, movement, strength, and body functions below the point of injury.

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are generally described as complete or incomplete:

• An incomplete injury means the spinal cord can still send some signals, so the person keeps some feeling or movement below the injury.
• A complete injury means signals no longer pass below the injury, causing a loss of feeling and muscle control in that part of the body.

Where the injury happens also matters. Damage higher on the spine, in the neck, can affect all four limbs (tetraplegia). Damage lower down may affect the legs and lower body (paraplegia). NINDS notes that some paralysis develops over time from swelling and bleeding, which is why quick emergency care is so important.

Common Causes in Savannah

NINDS identifies motor vehicle accidents and serious falls as the leading causes of spinal cord injury in the United States. Locally, these injuries often come from:

• Truck crashes. The size and weight of commercial trucks moving to and from the port can crush vehicles and compress the spine. A truck accident lawyer will look at every factor behind the crash, from driver fatigue to cargo loading.
• Car crashes. Rear-end and rollover collisions frequently cause herniated discs and fractures. A car accident lawyer can connect delayed back pain to the collision.
• Falls. Falls from stairs, ladders, or slippery surfaces can fracture vertebrae, and a slip and fall lawyer can investigate whether a property owner ignored the danger.
• Scooter and bike crashes. Riders thrown onto pavement downtown can suffer serious back injuries, a common issue in e-scooter accident claims.

Symptoms That Need Attention

Some back injuries cause immediate pain. Others show up gradually. Seek medical care if you notice:

• Back or neck pain that worsens over time
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Difficulty walking or keeping your balance
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Trouble breathing

Numbness, weakness, or loss of control after an accident is an emergency. If a spinal injury is suspected at the scene, avoid moving the injured person and wait for emergency responders.

Treatment and Long-Term Costs

Treatment ranges from physical therapy and injections to spinal fusion surgery. Serious spinal cord injuries often require months of inpatient rehabilitation, mobility equipment, home modifications, and ongoing care for complications.

These costs can last a lifetime. Claims may include past and future medical care, lost income and earning capacity, and the pain and loss of independence that come with a serious spinal injury. Our guide to economic vs. non-economic damages explains how these losses are valued. When an injury leads to paralysis, it is typically handled as one of the catastrophic injury claims that require a detailed life care plan.

Why Timing Matters in Spinal Injury Cases

Settling too early is one of the biggest risks in a back injury case. Doctors often need months to know whether surgery will be needed or how much function will return. Most lawyers wait until the injured person reaches maximum medical improvement before negotiating a final settlement.

Our guide to how long a personal injury case takes in Savannah explains how medical recovery affects the timeline. Less severe neck and back strains are covered in our guide to whiplash and soft tissue injuries.

Talk to a Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer

Founding attorney Benjamin Clary has spent 13 years helping injured Georgians recover the resources they need after serious back and spinal injuries. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and handles every case on a contingency fee basis.

We also represent clients with spinal cord injuries in Richmond Hill and throughout the region. If a back or spinal injury has changed your life, a personal injury lawyer at our firm can review your case for free.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

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