The Devastating Impact of Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is the communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When it is damaged by trauma — through compression, contusion, or severing — the results below the injury level can be catastrophic and permanent: paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of bowel and bladder control, respiratory compromise, chronic pain, and a profound disruption of every aspect of life.
Spinal cord injuries are among the highest-value personal injury cases — because the lifetime costs of care and support are extraordinary. At Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C., we build the cases that secure the full compensation our SCI clients need to live with dignity.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Georgia
The most common causes of traumatic SCI in Georgia include:
- Vehicle accidents — car crashes, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of SCI
- Falls — from heights in construction accidents, from roofs, or slip and falls
- Acts of violence — gunshot wounds and stabbings
- Sports and recreational activities — diving accidents, contact sports, ATV crashes
- Medical malpractice — surgical errors involving the spine
Levels of Spinal Cord Injury and Their Effects
The effects of an SCI depend critically on the level of injury along the spine:
- Cervical (C1–C8): Injuries at the neck level cause tetraplegia (quadriplegia) — loss of function in all four limbs. High cervical injuries (C1–C4) may require ventilator assistance to breathe.
- Thoracic (T1–T12): Injuries in the mid-back typically cause paraplegia — loss of function in the lower body and legs, with arms and hands intact.
- Lumbar (L1–L5): Lower back injuries affect the hips and legs, with varying degrees of impairment.
- Sacral (S1–S5): Injuries at the base of the spine affect bladder, bowel, and sexual function, with some hip and leg weakness.
The Full Scope of Damages in Georgia SCI Cases
Spinal cord injury damages are often measured in millions of dollars. A comprehensive SCI claim pursues:
- All past and future medical expenses — acute hospitalization, surgery, ICU, rehabilitation center, and decades of ongoing medical management
- Home modification costs — wheelchair ramps, bathroom adaptations, wider doorways, hospital beds
- Assistive technology and equipment — wheelchairs, communication devices, adapted vehicles
- Lifetime personal care attendant costs — the single largest expense for many SCI victims
- Lost wages and lifetime earning capacity
- Pain and suffering — physical pain, depression, loss of independence, and diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium — for a spouse whose life is equally transformed
Our attorneys work with the nation's leading SCI life care planners and economists to present these numbers accurately and compellingly to insurance companies and juries.
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete SCI results in total loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury. An incomplete SCI results in partial preservation of function — some movement or sensation remains below the injury site. Incomplete injuries have more recovery potential but still cause life-altering limitations.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation estimates that the lifetime costs of SCI — including acute care, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term support — range from $1.1 million to over $5 million depending on the level and completeness of the injury. These projections are critical to ensuring injured Georgians receive compensation adequate for their actual needs.
Some incomplete SCI victims experience significant recovery — particularly with intensive early rehabilitation. Complete SCIs have more limited recovery prospects but medical science continues to advance. Our attorneys work with life care planners to plan for both current needs and the realistic potential for future medical developments.
An at-fault party's insurance is the primary source of compensation. However, when damages exceed policy limits — as they frequently do in SCI cases — our attorneys identify all available insurance sources including underinsured motorist coverage, umbrella policies, employer coverage, and additional defendants.