Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Georgia & South Carolina
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is partially damaged, preserving some motor function, sensory function, or both below the level of injury. Unlike a complete spinal cord injury where all function is lost, incomplete injuries exist on a spectrum — some victims retain substantial movement and sensation, while others have only minimal preserved function. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that incomplete injuries now account for more than 67% of all spinal cord injuries, partly due to improved emergency medical care that limits secondary cord damage.
At Roden Law, our incomplete spinal cord injury lawyers represent victims throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We understand the unique challenges of incomplete SCI cases — including the evolving medical picture, the potential for partial recovery, and the need to secure compensation that accounts for both best-case and worst-case outcomes.
Types of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Incomplete SCIs are classified into several clinical syndromes based on which area of the spinal cord is damaged:
- Central cord syndrome: The most common incomplete SCI — affects the center of the spinal cord, typically causing greater weakness in the arms than the legs. Often results from hyperextension injuries in older adults with cervical spondylosis
- Brown-Sequard syndrome: Damage to one side of the spinal cord, causing motor loss on the injured side and sensory loss on the opposite side
- Anterior cord syndrome: Damage to the front of the spinal cord, affecting motor function and pain/temperature sensation while preserving proprioception (position sense) and light touch
- Posterior cord syndrome: Rare — affects the back of the cord, impairing proprioception while preserving motor function and pain sensation
- Conus medullaris syndrome: Damage to the tip of the spinal cord at the thoracolumbar junction, affecting bladder, bowel, and lower extremity function
The Challenge of Evolving Prognosis
One of the most complex aspects of incomplete SCI cases is the evolving prognosis. Unlike complete injuries where the outcome is generally known early, incomplete injuries may improve significantly over months or years of rehabilitation — or may plateau with permanent deficits. This uncertainty creates challenges in valuing the case:
- Insurance companies exploit uncertainty: Insurers may push for early settlements before the full extent of permanent impairment is known
- Maximum medical improvement (MMI): Neurological recovery from incomplete SCI can continue for 12 to 24 months or longer — settling before MMI risks undervaluing the claim
- Future medical needs: Even with partial recovery, victims may need ongoing physical therapy, pain management, adaptive equipment, and periodic medical monitoring
Our attorneys protect clients by refusing premature settlements and working with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists to project long-term outcomes before negotiating.
Common Causes and Negligence
Incomplete spinal cord injuries result from many of the same trauma mechanisms as complete injuries — car crashes, falls, motorcycle accidents, and workplace incidents. However, incomplete injuries can also result from medical negligence, such as surgical errors during spinal procedures, failure to diagnose and treat spinal instability after trauma, or delayed treatment of spinal cord compression from herniated discs or spinal fractures.
Compensation for Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4) and South Carolina law allow recovery of all actual damages, including past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and therapy costs, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Under Georgia’s comparative fault rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), you can recover if less than 50% at fault. South Carolina allows recovery if less than 51% at fault.
Filing Deadlines
Georgia’s statute of limitations is 2 years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) and South Carolina allows 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). Do not wait until you reach maximum medical improvement to contact a lawyer — filing deadlines run from the date of injury, not the date you finish treatment.