Greeneville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Nurse stretching patients spinal cord

If you sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) in Greeneville, Tennessee, you may face expensive medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses. Depending on the cause of your SCI, you may be eligible for compensation. If someone else was to blame for the accident, they should be held liable.

The Greeneville spinal cord injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm want to help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve for the harm you suffered. Since 1960, our law firm has advocated for the rights of injury victims and families in Greeneville and throughout East Tennessee. We are ready to go to work for you.

Contact our office today to speak with a spinal cord injury attorney during a free consultation.

Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Greeneville, TN

Spinal cord injuries occur in many types of accidents and incidents, and they frequently involve negligence on someone else’s part. Some examples of the types of accidents that cause SCIs include:

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following risk factors may increase a person’s chances of sustaining an SCI:

  • Being male
  • Being between 16 and 30 years of age or over 60 years of age
  • Driving often or having an occupation that requires frequent driving
  • Participating in certain sports
  • Consuming alcohol

Types and Degrees of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are two main categories for SCIs:

  • Incomplete spinal cord injury – Someone who sustains an incomplete injury SCI may continue to experience a degree of sensation and function beneath the injury site. An incomplete injury SCI doesn’t entirely prevent the spinal cord from sending and receiving nerve signals in the affected area.
  • Complete spinal cord injury – A complete injury SCI occurs when an injury severs all communication between the brain and the body below the affected area. This type of SCI results in paralysis below the site of injury.

Spinal cord injuries are also categorized by their location on the spine and the parts of the body affected by paralysis. For example, an SCI with damage higher on the spine could result in paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, a condition called quadriplegia or tetraplegia. An SCI that occurs lower on the spine could affect only the legs and the lower part of the torso. Paraplegia is the term for that form of paralysis.

Treatments and Long-Term Impacts of Spinal Cord Injuries

The long-term consequences of an SCI can vary depending on the severity and location of an injury. According to research in the World Journal of Orthopedics, common life-altering effects of SCIs include:

  • Respiratory complications
  • Cardiovascular complications
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control and other bodily functions
  • Muscle spasms and loss of motor function
  • Pressure ulcers and sores
  • Chronic pain
  • Osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures
  • Problems with sexual function

Sustaining an SCI may also cause a person to develop depression and similar mental health issues. An injured person might struggle with depression if an SCI prevents them from:

  • Participating in activities they once enjoyed
  • Taking care of themself 
  • Working and feeling productive
  • Taking care of their family

Just as the long-term consequences of an SCI can vary, so can proper treatments for spinal injuries. According to Mayo Clinic, SCI treatments fall into these categories:

  • Emergency care – Emergency medical attention for an SCI usually involves immobilizing the spine. Emergency responders may act quickly to use neck collars to prevent spinal cord damage from worsening in emergency scenarios.
  • Ongoing care – Ongoing treatment for an SCI typically requires addressing the various medical conditions that one might experience due to an SCI. Someone with an SCI may remain in the hospital for some time until medical professionals feel they’re ready to begin rehabilitation.
  • Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation for an SCI may involve working with various specialists. For example, physical and occupational therapists can help a person address the physical limitations an SCI can cause. Social workers and psychologists can treat the mental health issues that may arise from an SCI.

Save copies of all medical bills, test results, and other documentation of your medical care, as it can be useful as you seek compensation.

Building Your Injury Claim After a Spinal Injury

Saving documentation of your medical treatment and expenses is one of many steps you can take to protect your legal options for pursuing compensation. Other things you should do to build your injury claim include:

  • Save documentation of lost wages.
  • Keep a journal in which you describe your symptoms and the impact the SCI has on your quality of life.
  • Gather the names and contact information of witnesses who saw the accident that injured you.
  • Stay off social media, as anything you post could potentially hurt your case.

Do not speak to an insurance adjuster. Instead, allow your attorney to do that for you. Insurers often look for reasons to deny or minimize claims. Your lawyer can speak to the insurance company for you with the objective of standing up for your rights and best interests.

Potential Compensation in a Successful Greeneville SCI Case

You may be eligible for various compensation through a successful personal injury claim:

  • Medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, mobility equipment, and medications
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation 
  • In-home care and assistance
  • Vehicle and home modifications to accommodate paralysis
  • Lost wages if you cannot work due to your injuries
  • Loss of future earning capacity and benefits if your injuries prevent you from being gainfully employed
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
  • Loss of enjoyment of life 

Why You Need Our Greeneville Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

The Terry Law Firm is a family-run firm that has served the Greeneville area since 1960. We’ve remained in business for over half a century because we never stop fighting for our clients. Our firm has earned numerous accolades from local legal organizations, major publications like U.S. News & World Report, and our satisfied clients.

That’s the type of reputation to seek when choosing spine injury attorneys. We’re a small-town firm with big-city know-how. That means we provide personalized service and aggressive advocacy to pursue the compensation our clients deserve for a catastrophic injury like an SCI.

Talk to Our Experienced Greeneville Spine Injury Lawyers Today

At The Terry Law Firm, our Greeneville spinal cord injury attorneys understand how an SCI can dramatically change a person’s life. We are prepared to tirelessly seek the financial relief and justice you deserve. Learn more about how our experienced Greeneville spine injury lawyers can help you by contacting us online or calling us for your free legal consultation.

Personal Injury

What is the Statute of Limitations in Tennessee for Personal Injury Claims?

Tennessee is very unique in that the statute of limitations in Tennessee is much shorter than in other states. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Tennessee is generally one (1) year. There are exceptions to the one (1) year statute of limitations. 

In Tennessee, one exception to the statute of limitations is the discovery rule. The statute of limitations in Tennessee does not start to run until a person knows or should have known about an injury. 

There is currently a provision in the Tennessee Code regarding extending the statute of limitations where persons have criminal charges brought against them and they caused or contributed to an injury. In these cases, it is possible that the statute of limitations may be extended to two (2) years. At this stage, there has been no ruling from the Tennessee Supreme Court on exactly how this statute should be interpreted; therefore, we recommend filing cases within one (1) year.

The statute of limitations in property damage cases in Tennessee is three (3) years and the statute of limitations for a breach of contract in Tennessee is six (6) years. It is important to note that breach of implied warranty of merchantability, which are theories that are often used in product liability cases, carries a six (6) statute of limitations.

What is a Contingency Fee?

At The Terry Law Firm, clients are welcome to come to our Morristown office, our Sevierville office, or our Greeneville office for a free consultation. This is true for virtually any type of case. 

In personal injury cases, in particular, The Terry Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis which means that The Terry Law Firm does not receive any compensation, nor are you required to pay anything, unless we are successful on your behalf. 

Our general fee in personal injury cases (like most firms) is one-third (1/3). The Terry Law Firm advances all costs and expenses in the case until the matter is resolved. If we are not successful for a client in a personal injury case, then they are not required to pay anything. 

Can The Terry Law Firm Help If I Was in an Accident in Another State?

The Terry Law Firm regularly handles cases for clients who have been involved in out-of-state accidents. We have handled cases as far west as West Texas and South Dakota. We have had cases in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. It is a regular part of The Terry Law Firm’s business to handle cases outside of Tennessee.

Handling a case outside of Tennessee does not cost the client any more than it would if we were handling a case in Tennessee. In fact, the client will likely notice very little difference in a case handled outside of the state versus one handled in the State of Tennessee.