Spinal cord injuries can be one of the most life-altering injuries that an accident victim experiences. A spinal cord injury in Johnson City can lead to expensive medical treatments, crumbling a person’s financial stability, while causing permanent paralysis and impairments that change their quality of life and affect mental health.

Coping with significant changes to a person’s economic, professional, and personal life can be challenging, and many spinal cord injury victims do not know where to turn for help.

At The Terry Law Firm, our Johnson City spinal cord injury attorneys understand the complex challenges spinal cord injury victims face in the aftermath of a tragic accident. Our compassionate legal team stands ready to work tirelessly to support your recovery, both physically and financially, and hold careless parties accountable for their actions.

You deserve justice and fair compensation if someone else was responsible for the accident that caused your spinal cord injury. Contact our office today and arrange a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Why You Should Choose Our Johnson City Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can reshape an accident victim’s life in profound ways, some of which may not be apparent immediately after the incident. The legal team at The Terry Law Firm takes a thorough and thoughtful approach to managing your case, carefully calculating the total value of your injuries and factoring in how your injuries could impact your future.

We are a family-owned and operated law firm that has been serving clients in Johnson City and surrounding East Tennessee communities for decades. We believe in putting clients first, offering personalized legal strategies, and consistent communication. Clients choose to work with our team because we routinely deliver results and compassionate service.

As one satisfied client wrote in a testimonial:

“Everyone that I made contact with at The Terry Law Firm was professional, helpful with answering any questions, and very knowledgeable with requirements necessary for my case. I strongly would recommend The Terry Law Firm to anyone. Special thanks to Braxton and Lisa for making me feel at ease.” – P.D.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Life-Changing Impact

Spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic, completely changing the way a person interacts with the world around them. While most people point to the devastating physical effects of a spinal cord injury, such as muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and paralysis, there are significant financial and emotional setbacks that can also be life-changing for victims.

Losing the power to control limbs or specific bodily functions can take a heavy toll on an injured individual’s emotional health. Many individuals experience feelings of depression and anxiety and may exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These feelings can gradually erode personal and professional relationships, leading to feelings of isolation.

Spinal cord injuries also take a significant toll on a person’s finances. The high cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation is only part of the equation. Often, individuals find that they cannot return to work in the same capacity, or at all, further jeopardizing their long-term financial stability.

Types and Degrees of Spinal Cord Injuries and Resulting Paralysis

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibers that runs from the base of the brain down the length of the spinal column. Think of the spinal cord as a high-speed communication network that connects the brain to the rest of the body, delivering messages back and forth.

When the spinal cord is damaged, it can disrupt communication, leading to long-term impairments.

There are two main categories of spinal cord injuries:

  • Incomplete – An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, but the nerves are intact. Signals may be disrupted, limiting sensation and function, but communication can still take place.
  • Complete – A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is significantly damaged or completely severed. The injury severs all communication below the point of the injury, resulting in a permanent loss of sensation and function in conditions such as paraplegia and quadriplegia.

The degree of impairment and loss of function depends on the spinal cord injury level and the injury site. Injuries to the cervical spinal nerves in the neck are typically the most debilitating and can result in quadriplegia, or the loss of sensation and mobility in the arms, trunk, and legs. Paraplegia is the more likely result of damage to the thoracic spinal nerves, the sacral spinal nerves, or the lumbar spinal nerves.

In addition to limbs, spinal cord injuries can also impact organ function, affecting the lungs, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Johnson City

Spinal cord injuries are often the result of a sudden or violent event caused by the careless actions of another. Some of the most common causes of spinal trauma and spinal cord damage in Johnson City involve:

A Johnson City spinal cord injury attorney at The Terry Law Firm has the resources and knowledge to help victims of these types of accidents and others pursue the compensation they deserve.

Compensation Available for Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Tennessee

Spinal cord injury cases are complex because they are generally high-value cases due to the extent of a person’s injuries and their long-term impact on a victim’s life. While the value of each case varies based on the facts of the situation, in general, a victim may pursue compensation for the following losses:

  • Medical expenses, including the cost of assistive devices, physical therapy, and occupational therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering

Do not accept a settlement offer before discussing the long-term impact of your catastrophic injuries with an experienced Johnson City spinal cord injury lawyer.

The Legal Process for Johnson City Spinal Cord Injury Claims

Spinal cord injury victims need to seek legal guidance to help them navigate the process for Johnson City spinal cord injury claims. The process often begins by filing an insurance claim seeking fair compensation. However, insurers seldom have the best interests of an accident victim in mind. Instead, they focus on minimizing payouts.

A Johnson City spinal cord injury attorney can help you build an evidence-based claim and negotiate for maximum compensation for your injuries. In some instances, it may be more beneficial to file a personal injury lawsuit. Our team files all necessary paperwork, adheres to legal deadlines, calculates the value of your case, and builds a solid case on your behalf.

From serving the at-fault party to discovery and court proceedings, we manage every aspect of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

How The Terry Law Firm Can Help Maximize Your Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

At The Terry Law Firm, our Johnson City spinal cord injury lawyers are prepared to do everything it takes to pursue maximum compensation for your severe injuries. We can gather evidence, build a compelling claim, and aggressively negotiate with insurers to maximize your spinal injury settlement.

We understand the life-altering impact of a spinal cord injury and will not stop pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Contact our Johnson City office today to get started with a free consultation.