An Atlanta spinal cord injury attorney helps you recover the cost of lifelong care after someone else’s carelessness. At Jamie Ballard Law, attorney Jamie Ballard has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 2013. You pay no fee unless we win. A spinal cord injury can change how you move, work and live. Not every injury leads to a lawsuit, and some claims settle without one. Here is what Georgia law allows and how we help you build your claim.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Georgia?
A spinal cord injury claim asks the person or company at fault to pay for the harm they caused. Most claims are based on negligence. That means someone failed to act with reasonable care, such as a driver who ran a red light.
Georgia gives you two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Claims against a city, county or state agency have much shorter notice deadlines. Our guide to the ante litem notice explains those rules.
Fault can also be shared. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, your award drops by your share of fault. If you are 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover.
How an Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Builds Your Claim
Spinal cord cases turn on medical proof and long-term cost. This is the process we follow.
| Step | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Medical records | We gather ER, MRI and CT results, plus your ASIA Impairment Scale exam. | Shows the level and severity of the injury. |
| 2. Investigation | We collect the police report, video, witness statements and vehicle black box data. | Proves who caused the injury. |
| 3. Life care plan | Doctors and care planners estimate your future treatment, equipment and home needs. | Puts a real number on lifetime care. |
| 4. Demand and negotiation | We send a written demand to the insurance company and negotiate. | Many claims resolve at this stage. |
| 5. Lawsuit if needed | We file in State or Superior Court before the two-year deadline. | Protects your right to recover in full. |
Common Causes of Spinal Cord and Paralysis Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, about 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries happen in the U.S. each year. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause, at 37.5 percent since 2015. We handle spinal cord claims that come from:
• Car accidents on I-75, I-85 and I-285
• Truck and 18-wheeler crashes
• Motorcycle and pedestrian accidents
• Falls caused by unsafe property
• Workplace accidents involving a third party
• Assaults caused by poor security
An injury can be complete, with no function below the injury, or incomplete, with some function left. Injuries high in the neck can cause tetraplegia. Lower injuries can cause paraplegia.
What a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement Can Cover
The costs are often staggering. The same report puts first-year costs at about $667,569 for paraplegia. For high tetraplegia, it is about $1.37 million, in 2023 dollars. A fair claim should account for both today’s bills and the years ahead.
• Emergency care, surgery and hospital stays
• Rehabilitation, therapy and future medical care
• Wheelchairs, home changes and vehicle changes
• Lost wages and lost ability to earn
• Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium for a spouse
Georgia’s Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund also offers limited grants for post-acute care. It does not replace a claim against the person at fault.
Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Serving Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb Counties
We represent clients across metro Atlanta, from Buckhead and Midtown to Decatur, Marietta and Smyrna. Serious spinal injuries here are often treated at Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma center. Many patients then rehab at Shepherd Center. Cases filed in Atlanta often go to the State Court or Superior Court of Fulton County.
Spinal cord injuries rarely happen alone. We also handle related catastrophic injury, back injury and brain injury claims. If you were hurt in Cobb County, see our Smyrna spinal cord injury lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring an Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Do I need a spinal cord injury lawyer near me if the insurance company already made an offer?
Yes, in most cases you should talk to a lawyer first. Early offers rarely include future care, equipment or lost earning ability. Once you sign a release, you usually cannot ask for more.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in Georgia?
Usually two years from the date of injury. Claims against a government body can require notice within six months to one year. Read more about the statute of limitations in Georgia.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes, as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault. Your award is reduced by your share of the blame. For example, 20 percent fault lowers the award by 20 percent.
Talk to an Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Attorney About Your Recovery
A spinal cord injury affects your whole family. The insurance company will move fast to limit what it pays. As your Atlanta spinal cord injury attorney, Jamie can review your medical records, explain your options and tell you what your claim may be worth. Learn more about Jamie Ballard, then reach out for a free consultation.
Call 404-885-8544 or contact us online. Our office is at 3715 Northside Pkwy NW, Building 100, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30327.
