To understand how a spinal cord injury occurs, it helps to have an understanding of how the spinal system operates. The spinal cord has numerous tiny structures called axons, which control your body's central nervous system. These axons are located in the soft spinal cord tissues. A spinal cord injury is diagnosed whenever these soft tissues are damaged and the axons are affected.
A spinal cord injury may occur for various reasons, but is often associated with serious auto accidents and slip and fall accidents. The effects of a spinal cord injury may be short- or long-term. It is possible that a victim may suffer a spinal cord injury and not realize it until days or even months after the fact. That is why it is always important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you believe you are uninjured.
Some common symptoms that may indicate a possible spinal cord injury include:
- paralysis;
- chronic pain and burning sensation;
- sexual dysfunction;
- poor range-of-motion;
- difficulty breathing; and/or
- loss of sensation in affected areas.
A spinal cord injury may also cause dysfunction in other systems of the body, or result in complete or partial paralysis. Damages to the upper section of the spinal cord often result in total paralysis.
To learn more about spinal cord injuries, including the various treatment options available and the types of damages that may be available in a Georgia personal injury lawsuit stemming from a spinal cord injury, please visit our article library.
Contacting a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are the victim of someone else's negligence or carelessness, whether in a traffic accident or any other type of accident, you have certain rights guaranteed by law. To help you understand these rights and seek the compensation to which you may be entitled, contact the Atlanta Law Offices of Sheryl L. Burke for a no cost consultation.
