Almost 40% of all people who suffer a spinal cord injury are considered to be a paraplegic, and almost 60% are quadriplegic. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury at your Georgia workplace, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
What Are the Most Common Causes Georgia Work-Place Spinal Cord Injuries?
In Georgia, the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the workplace include, but aren’t limited to:
- Automobile Accidents: Georgia work-related car accidents can and do happen whether or not you are on the road, involve heavy duty equipment, regular motor vehicles, and pedestrians. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States.
- Falls: Trips, slips, and falls is the second most common cause of work-related spinal cord injuries in the U.S. Generally, work-related spinal cord injuries are caused by falling off a ladder, building, structure, or between levels. Many spinal cord injuries occur in the Georgia construction industry.
- Falling Objects: It doesn’t matter whether you work in the Georgia construction industry, a warehouse, or in an office setting, if loose heavy objects fall off a shelf, or a higher level, you could suffer a devastating spinal cord injury.
- Workplace Violence: Assault, gunshot wounds, or other acts of violence can cause you to suffer a catastrophic spinal cord injury.
Is Georgia A No-Fault Workers’ Compensation State?
The state of Georgia does have a no-fault system. This means that you are normally guaranteed workers’ compensation benefits for a work-related injury to your spinal cord regardless of the costs involved or who was at fault.
Georgia’s workers’ compensation benefits could include:
- All Injury Related Medical Expenses
- Physical Therapy and/or Rehabilitation
- Lost Wages
- Loss of your Earning Capacity
- Disability – both temporary and permanent
- Vocational Retraining
- Death Benefits
It’s important to note that unlike a personal injury lawsuit, Georgia workers’ compensation claims will not reimburse you for intangible losses such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.
If you suffered a work-related spinal cord injury you won’t automatically receive compensation for living with chronic pain, or any depression you may be experiencing.
What Are the Symptoms and/or Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Some types of spinal cord injuries may result in immediate total or partial paralysis, but others don’t. The symptoms of a spinal cord injury vary greatly and may take a bit of time to show up, depending on what part of your spine suffered the injury.
The most common symptoms and/or signs of a spinal cord injury include:
- Loss of Movement
- Loss or changed sensation, such as your ability to feel hot, cold, or touch
- Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
- Spasms or reflex activity that is exaggerated
- Changes in Sexual Function
- Pain, or an intense stinging sensation which is caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord.
- Difficulty coughing, breathing, or clearing your lungs
- Intense back pain or pressure in your back, head, or neck
- Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body
- Tingling, numbness, or sensation loss in your fingers, hands, toes, or feet.
- Balance or walking difficulty
- Impaired breathing
If you or a loved one has suffered a Georgia work-related back injury, it’s important that you contact one of the workers’ compensation lawyers at The Gearhart Law Group as soon as possible. We will evaluate your case and advise you of the next steps that need to be taken to ensure you receive all the Georgia workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
