Spinal cord injuries are life-altering events with consequences that extend far beyond physical limitations. While much of the focus is often on the physical challenges and medical needs, the psychological toll of these injuries can be just as significant, impacting nearly every aspect of a person’s life.
For spinal cord injury survivors in Georgia, understanding the emotional and psychological effects of their injury is essential—not only for their recovery but also when seeking fair compensation.
Here, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry explore the hidden psychological impacts of spinal cord injuries and how they factor into compensation claims.
Understanding the Psychological Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury disrupts nearly every aspect of daily life, creating both visible and invisible scars.
Survivors often experience a range of psychological challenges, including:
- Depression: Adjusting to a new way of life, particularly if mobility is severely limited, can lead to feelings of hopelessness, loss, and sadness. Depression is common among spinal cord injury survivors and can significantly impact their quality of life.
- Anxiety: Many survivors worry about their future, health complications, financial stability, and the impact of their injury on their relationships. This anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms and affect their overall well-being.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Those who experience traumatic accidents that result in spinal injuries often develop PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety are just a few of the symptoms that can interfere with everyday life.
- Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness: Spinal cord injuries can restrict social interactions and physical activities that once provided joy and a sense of community. Survivors may feel isolated from friends and family, leading to loneliness and a diminished sense of purpose.
These psychological effects are not just temporary hurdles; they often require long-term support, therapy, and sometimes medication to manage. Compensation claims for spinal cord injuries must take these effects into account to cover the full scope of a survivor’s needs.
Why the Psychological Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries Matters in Compensation Claims
When filing a personal injury claim after a spinal cord injury, it’s crucial to consider both economic and non-economic damages. The psychological impact of an injury is classified as non-economic damage, which compensates for intangible losses.
Here’s why the psychological toll matters in a compensation claim:
- Quality of Life: Spinal cord injury survivors often face a drastically reduced quality of life. They may lose the ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed or engage fully in relationships, hobbies, and work. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges these losses.
- Need for Mental Health Support: Addressing the psychological impact of a spinal cord injury often requires therapy, counseling, or even psychiatric care, which can be costly. Compensation should cover the costs of ongoing mental health support, including treatment, medication, and any other needed resources.
- Impact on Employment: Emotional distress can affect a survivor’s ability to work or maintain productivity. Anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms may make it difficult for survivors to maintain focus, causing them to miss work or seek less demanding jobs, which can reduce earning capacity.
- Impact on Relationships: The emotional toll of a spinal cord injury often affects relationships with family, friends, and partners. Survivors may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or dependency, which can strain even the closest relationships. Compensation for the loss of consortium addresses the strain on personal relationships, acknowledging the emotional toll on the family unit.
By including these psychological effects in a compensation claim, survivors can seek a more comprehensive settlement that covers both their physical and emotional recovery needs.
Types of Compensation Available for Psychological Damages Associated with Spinal Cord Injuries
Compensation for spinal cord injury survivors includes both economic and non-economic damages, ensuring the survivor’s total needs are addressed.
For psychological damages, compensation may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall psychological impact of the injury.
- Mental Health Treatment Costs: Financial support for ongoing therapy, counseling, medications, and any mental health services needed due to the injury.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the diminished quality of life and inability to enjoy activities or experiences the survivor once valued.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact of the injury on the survivor’s relationships, acknowledging the strain on familial and personal connections.
These damages can be challenging to quantify, but our skilled Atlanta personal injury attorneys can work with medical and mental health experts to ensure that the claim accounts for all aspects of the survivor’s life.
How Our Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry Can Help
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, we recognize that the impact of a spinal cord injury extends far beyond physical damage. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Atlanta are dedicated to helping spinal cord injury survivors pursue total compensation that reflects the true extent of their loss and trauma. We work with mental health experts, gather compelling evidence, and advocate for a settlement that covers your physical and emotional needs.
If you or a loved one is dealing with the psychological toll of a spinal cord injury, we’re here to support you. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us help you build a strong case that addresses the full impact of your injury. You deserve compensation that acknowledges every aspect of your recovery journey, and we’re here to ensure you get it.