Columbus GA Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Fighting for Life-Changing Compensation
A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant. Whether caused by a car accident, a fall, or some other unfortunate event, these catastrophic injuries can result in permanent disability and loss of income. Victims could require a lifetime of assisted living care.
At Butler Prather LLP, we know first-hand how high the stakes can be in spinal cord injury cases. In fact, our personal injury attorneys have secured record-setting verdicts and settlements for our clients. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to negligence in Columbus, GA, our legal team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Are You in Need of a Trusted Columbus Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
Spinal cord injuries are among the costliest injuries a person can endure. Medical bills can stretch into millions of dollars over a lifetime. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens put a huge strain on victims and their families.
In these cases, the insurance companies will try to deny claims and downplay the true cost of your injuries just to save money. That’s why you need a law firm with the resources and trial experience to go up against powerful companies and win.
Why Choose Us Over Other Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Columbus GA?
When your future is on the line, it’s important to remember that not all law firms are same. Butler Prather LLP stands ahead of the back.
- Free consultation
- Ten verdicts over $100 million for clients
- You don’t pay if we don’t win
- Recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2019
- Over 35 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases
- Proven results in courts across 30+ states nationwide
- Partner James Butler featured in the Atlanta Bar Association’s Legends of the Bar Series
Don’t Let an Insurance Company Decide Your Future
If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury in Columbus, Georgia, don’t wait to get help! Call Butler Prather LLP at (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Impact
The spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When it gets damaged, the effects can be devastating.
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are typically classified into two categories:
- Complete injuries: No function remains below the point of injury. Victims may experience paralysis in all or part of the body.
- Incomplete injuries: Some functions remain, though victims may face significant impairment.
SCIs can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, breathing difficulties, and long-term reliance on medical treatment and personal care.
Compensation Available in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
Because spinal cord injuries often require lifelong care, compensation in these cases must reflect the true costs victims face.
Medical Bills, Lost Income, and Rehabilitation
- Hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs and lifts
- Lost wages and diminished future earning potential
Long-Term Care Costs and Pain & Suffering
- Home modifications
- In-home nursing care
- Long-term physical therapy and specialized treatment
- Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and reduced quality of life
At Butler Prather LLP, we work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full scope of your losses and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Spinal Injury in Georgia?
Drivers, Employers, Property Owners, and Product Manufacturers
Liability in a serious injury case depends on how the accident happened and who played a role in creating unsafe conditions. In many situations, more than one party may share liability. For example, you may have been struck by a speeding semi-truck driver and sustained catastrophic injuries. In this instance, the trucking company would most likely be liable, but their employee could also bear liability if they were negligent.
- Drivers are among the most common at-fault parties. Negligent motorists who speed, drive distracted, operate under the influence, or ignore traffic signals can cause devastating car, truck, or motorcycle crashes. When their actions directly lead to another person’s injuries, they can be held accountable for the harm they cause.
- Employers may also bear responsibility, particularly when an injury occurs in the workplace or involves a company vehicle. Businesses that fail to provide safe equipment, ignore safety regulations, or neglect proper employee screening and training can create hazardous conditions.
- Property owners can be liable when unsafe premises cause an accident. Landlords, store owners, businesses and managers of public spaces have a duty to maintain their property in reasonably safe condition. Refusal to repair hazards such as broken steps or failure to warn visitors about slippery floors can lead to devastating falls.
- Product manufacturers may be held responsible when defective vehicles, machinery, or safety gear cause injuries. A design flaw, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning labels can make a product unreasonably dangerous, and companies that release unsafe products into the market could be liable under product liability laws.
Proving Negligence in Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Negligence is a legal concept that refers to the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would use under the same circumstances. When someone’s careless actions or failure to act causes harm to another person, that conduct may be considered negligent.
To prove negligence in a legal claim, four elements generally must be established:
- Duty of Care – The defendant had a legal responsibility to act with reasonable care toward the plaintiff.
Example: A driver has a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle safely. - Breach of Duty – The defendant failed to meet that duty through action or inaction.
Example: A driver texting while driving breaches their duty of care. - Causation – The breach of duty directly led to the plaintiff’s injury.
Example: Because the driver was texting, they ran a red light and hit another car. - Damages – The plaintiff suffered actual harm or losses as a result.
Example: The injured person incurred medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t Wait: Georgia Statute of Limitations for Spinal Injuries
In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to compensation.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to negligence, you’ll want to contact an attorney as soon as possible. That way, they can begin investigating the accident and take steps to preserve important evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.
Aggressive Advocacy for Accident Victims
Don’t risk your future by waiting too long. Call (706) 322-1990 so we can start building your case today.
Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Columbus, Georgia
Motor Vehicle Accidents and Falls
Car crashes, truck collisions, and motorcycle accidents are leading causes of SCIs. Falls from ladders and stairs and slip and fall accidents resulting from unsafe premises also result in spinal cord injuries.
Workplace Accidents and Acts of Violence
Construction and industrial accidents often cause serious spinal trauma. Intentional acts of violence are another frequent source of SCIs in Georgia.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Long-Term Effects
Complete vs. Incomplete SCIs
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a total loss of function below the level of the injury. In these cases, the brain is no longer able to send or receive signals to the parts of the body below the damaged area.
Victims with complete SCIs may experience paraplegia, which affects the lower half of the body, or quadriplegia, which impacts both the arms and legs. This loss of mobility and sensation often requires the use of a wheelchair, around-the-clock caregiving, and significant lifestyle modifications.
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some function or sensation remains below the site of injury. Victims may retain partial movement, feeling, or reflexes, though often in a limited or unpredictable way. For example, one side of the body may have greater strength or sensation than the other.
While incomplete SCIs typically allow for more independence than complete injuries, they can still result in substantial limitations in mobility, coordination, and daily functioning. Many people with incomplete SCIs require intensive rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and long-term therapy to maximize their abilities.
Chronic Pain and Daily Challenges
In addition to paralysis, many survivors struggle with chronic nerve pain, muscle weakness, or uncontrollable spasms. These symptoms can be relentless and severely reduce quality of life, making even basic activities such as sleeping, sitting, or moving uncomfortable. Managing chronic pain often requires ongoing treatment, including medication, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention.
The emotional toll of living with a spinal cord injury is also significant. Feelings of frustration, isolation, depression, and anxiety are common as victims adjust to new physical limitations and the reality of long-term medical needs. Emotional health is often intertwined with physical recovery, and access to counseling or psychological support is essential for many.
Daily living becomes more difficult. Tasks that once seemed simple such as cooking, bathing, dressing, or commuting can require extensive assistance. These adjustments not only carry financial costs but also affect family dynamics and relationships.
Why Choose Our Injury Law Firm in Columbus?
When facing a catastrophic spinal cord injury, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a legal team with the experience and resources to stand up to powerful defendants. Butler Prather LLP has a proven history of winning landmark verdicts for injury victims.
Call (706) 322-1990 for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for you and your family.
What Clients Are Saying About Us
“Very Professional” - Anonymous (5-Star FindLaw Review)
Mr. Butler represented my wife and me in a very professional (and successful) manner. Even after the successful settlement, his firm stayed with us to ensure that we were properly advised on the best use of our assets. His experience, professionalism, and honesty were much appreciated. We recommend him highly.
“Incredibly knowledgeable, strategic, and tireless in their pursuit of justice” -Remy Thomason (5-Star Google Review)
I cannot say enough good things about Butler Prather LLP. From the moment I contacted them, I was treated with professionalism, compassion, and respect. Their team of attorneys is incredibly knowledgeable, strategic, and tireless in their pursuit of justice. If you’re looking for a law firm that will fight for you with integrity and excellence, look no further than Butler Prather LLP. They are simply the best.
Other Serious Injury Cases We Handle in Columbus, GA
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Trucking Accidents
- Wrongful Death
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my spinal cord injury case worth?
It depends on the severity of your injury, medical expenses, lost income, and long-term care needs.
Do I need a lawyer for a spinal cord injury claim?
Due to the complexity of these injuries and astronomical expense that victims face, you have a much greater chance of securing fair compensation when you enlist the services of an experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer.
What damages can I recover in Georgia?
When Butler Prather LLP files a personal injury claim or lawsuit for a spinal cord accident victim, it includes damages such as medical bills, rehabilitation, lost income, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and long-term care costs.
What if a defective product caused my injury?
Product manufacturers can be held liable for unsafe equipment, vehicles, or safety devices. Butler Prather LLP has won some of the largest defective automobile verdicts in history against major automakers.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Generally, you have two years in Georgia, but acting sooner will strengthen your case.
Will my case go to trial?
Many cases are settled through negotiations, but we are always prepared to take your case to trial if the other side denies your claim or refuses to make a serious offer.
How much does it cost to hire Butler Prather LLP?
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call Butler Prather LLP Today
A spinal cord injury can change every part of your life. It’s time to choose a law firm that will fight tirelessly for your future. With decades of trial experience and a record of landmark victories, we are ready to stand with you every step of the way.
Call (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.
About Our Attorneys
James E. Butler Jr.
State Bar of Georgia License: 099625
James E. “Jim” Butler Jr. is the founding partner of Butler Prather LLP, a nationally recognized trial law firm based in Georgia. With more than four decades of courtroom experience, Jim has built a reputation as one of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers. He has secured some of the largest verdicts in U.S. history, including ten jury verdicts over $100 million, and has successfully represented clients in more than 30 states.
Ramsey B. Prather
State Bar of Georgia License: 588880
Ramsey B. Prather is a skilled trial attorney and partner at Butler Prather LLP, where he represents clients in high-stakes personal injury, wrongful death, and complex civil litigation. Known for his meticulous preparation and persuasive courtroom advocacy, Ramsey has played a key role in securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for individuals and families harmed by negligence and corporate misconduct. His practice includes product liability, trucking accidents, and catastrophic injury cases.
Columbus Office:
105 13th Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2766
Columbus, GA 31902