Tag: traumatic brain injury

Traumatic spinal cord injuries are among the most serious a person can sustain. In the U.S., roughly 12,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries are diagnosed every year, not including those from people who die on the scene of the accident.

What Is A Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?

Injuries to the spinal cord take place when there is damage to the ligaments, vertebrae, or disks of the spinal column or on the spinal cord. While nontraumatic spinal cord injuries can be caused by arthritis, cancer, or infection, traumatic spinal cord injuries are brought on by a sudden, a forceful blow to the spine, consequently fracturing, crushing, dislocating, or compressing the vertebrae.

Traumatic spinal cord injuries may either be complete or incomplete, leading to full or partial paralysis and loss of both motor and sensory functions. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of traumatic spinal cord injury, accounting for over 35 percent of new cases. Other causes of traumatic spinal injury include:

• Slip and fall accidents – Roughly 25 percent of new cases are from slip and falls. Typically spinal cord injuries from fall accidents are most common among people over the age of 62.

• Violence – Traumatic spinal cord injuries may also be sustained from certain acts of violence including gunshot and knife wounds.

• Sport/Recreation Accidents – People may sustain an injury during athletic activities, including impact sports and diving. They account for roughly 9 percent of cases.

Alcohol also factors into spinal cord injuries and roughly 1 in 4 new spinal cord injury cases involve alcohol in some way.

Symptoms Of Traumatic Spinal Injury

Spinal cord injuries may manifest immediately or develop within a few hours of the accident. Since reducing the severity of spinal cord injuries is heavily dependent on getting treatment early, anyone who receives head or neck trauma should see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation.

Signs and symptoms of traumatic spinal injury include, but are are not limited to:

• Loss of motor and sensory functions
• Loss of bladder control
• Extreme pain/pressure in the back, neck, or head
• Issues with coordination or paralysis of any body part
• Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in extremities
• Difficulty breathing after an injury
• Having the neck or back in an oddly twisted position

Treatment Options

Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment that will completely heal or reverse a traumatic spinal cord injury. When stabilizing the injury, medical professionals may turn to surgery, medications, and immobilization. Afterwards, most treatment plans are based on relieving pain and helping victims adjust to their new limitations.

Filing A Lawsuit?

Traumatic spinal cord injuries mean adjusting to limitations for victims and their families. Medical treatment and lifestyle changes are extremely expensive and the mental health issues can be even more taxing. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury in Cobb County, Georgia, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter  is here to help. Our legal team has years of experience helping victims recover damages for their injuries.  Let us do the same for you.

Every year in the U.S., traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to significant numbers of deaths and permanent disabilities. Approximately 1.7 million new cases of TBI are sustained annually.  Many are caused by falls and car accidents. Regardless of how the injury happened, the road to recovery is extremely difficult.  Damages may include major medical expenses, loss of income, emotional difficulties, and more.
If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury because of the negligence of another person, speak to a Georgia traumatic brain injury attorney like Attorney Joel Williams. They can help you understand how to best claim damages for the injury.

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are typically the result of a violent blow or other sudden trauma to the head or body. They may also be caused by an object penetrating the skull. While mild traumatic brain injury may lead to only to temporary dysfunction of the brain cells, more severe instances could lead to torn tissues, bruising, bleeding, or physical damage to the brain.  Severe brain injuries can lead to long-term complications or death.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

A majority of traumatic brain injuries are caused by falls, motor vehicle collisions, or violence, such as gunshot wounds and domestic violence. While symptoms of a traumatic brain injury often appear immediately after the trauma, it may take days or even weeks for any signs to manifest themselves. Signs of traumatic brain injury may be physical, sensory, or cognitive and include:

• Loss of consciousness or being disoriented, confused, or dazed;
• Problems sleeping or sleeping more than normal;
• Headache;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Dizziness or difficulty balancing;
• Sensitivity to sound or light;
• Sensory problems, including blurred vision, ears ringing, a bad taste in the mouth;
• Sudden mood changes or mood swings;
• Problems with memory or concentration; and
• Depression or anxiousness.

If you or a loved one demonstrates any of these symptoms after a violent blow or trauma to the head, it is extremely important to seek medical attention.

Treatment Plans And Living With Traumatic Brain Injury

Treatment of traumatic brain injury depends on the severity of the injury. Mild cases of TBI should be monitored closely, but will typically heal on their own with rest and over-the-counter medication. Moderate and severe cases of TBI require immediate emergency medical attention. Treatment may involve surgery, medications, and extensive rehabilitation.
Recovery from more serious traumatic injuries includes individual treatment programs that will likely consist of physical and occupational therapy, physiatry (physical medicine), speech/language therapy, psychiatry, and social support. In many cases, the injured victim never fully heals.  This is devastating for the victim and the family.

Need Legal Help?

If you or a loved one sustains a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, there is help available. The path to recovery is full of struggles and it’s one you should not have to make alone. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter to enlist the help of an attorney who will fight for justice on your behalf. We handle cases in Atlanta, Marietta, Cobb County, and all of Georgia. Contact us today to talk about the specifics of your case and get the compensation you deserve.