Nerve damage involves more than simply an uncomfortable inconvenience. It can impact every part of your life, from your ability to work to your enjoyment of your favorite hobbies. After an injury, damage to the nerves might show up immediately or after time has passed. Either way, the fallout can change your life for the long term.
Your nerves are your body’s communication system. They send signals to and from your brain, spinal cord, and other areas. When they’re damaged, those signals get interrupted. This can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and even complete loss of function in the affected area.
Here’s what you need to know about nerve damage and what you can do if you suffer it as a result of an accident in Georgia.
Causes and Symptoms to Watch for
Nerve damage can happen in just about any type of accident.
Some of the most typical scenarios include:
- Car Accidents: A sudden impact or jolt can damage the nerves in the back, limbs, and neck
- Slip and Falls: Landing on a hard surface can cause trauma that compresses the nerves
- Workplace Injuries: Heavy lifting and repetitive motions can strain your nerves, especially when you’re doing them on a daily basis at work
- Medical Mistakes: Some surgical errors or improper medical treatment can hurt the nerves
The nervous system is complicated, so injuries look different for everyone. Sometimes, the damage is subtle, but other people deal with symptoms that are impossible to ignore.
Nerve damage might look like:
- Numbness or tingling, like pins and needles
- Sharp stabbing pain
- Persistent dull aching
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Sensitivity to touch
If you notice any of these symptoms after an injury, it’s best to be checked out by a doctor. An early diagnosis can make a big difference in treating and managing the condition.
Types of Nerve Damage
There’s more than one type of nerve damage, and the classification largely dictates how it’s treated.
Each one affects the body differently, including:
- Peripheral: Affects the nerves outside the brain and spine and is common in falls and car accidents
- Autonomic: Impacts involuntary functions like digestion and heart rate
- Motor: Affects the muscles and can cause paralysis or weakness
- Sensory: Causes tingling, numbness, and pain
The severity of the damage will also determine the best course of treatment, as well as how much it’ll affect your daily life.
Potential Long-Term Effects
A lot of people heal completely from nerve damage, but just as many have to deal with it for the rest of their lives. Permanent cases require ongoing management, and it often means coping with chronic pain or disability.
You might need physical therapy, medication, or even surgery. Some people have to change jobs and daily routines because the pain and loss of function make it difficult or impossible to do their regular activities.
The aftermath isn’t just physical, either. Chronic pain can take a toll on your mental health, and you might face depression or anxiety. That’s why it’s important to address both the physical and emotional impacts that come from your nerve damage.
Financial Burden and Compensation
Regardless of the type of injury, medical bills can pile up fast—especially when treatment includes surgery and long-term care. Rehab costs, medications, and mobility aids are often expensive and add to the financial strain.
On top of that, if the nerve damage makes it so you can’t work, those lost paychecks can make your situation even more stressful. But if someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial fallout. For this reason, the law enables victims to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
It might be tempting to try to handle your case on your own, but it’s best to talk to a lawyer first because the process can get complicated in a hurry. Insurance companies often look for every angle possible to reduce or even deny valid claims, and proving nerve damage isn’t always easy.
Strong legal counsel can make sure your claim is filed correctly and increase your chances of being compensated for your losses. Remember, too, that there are legal deadlines that need to be met. In Georgia, you generally have two years from the day of your accident to file a claim.
Missing that deadline can hurt your chances of recovering compensation, and evidence can get harder to find as time passes. Taking quick action ensures your injury is properly documented and you get the resources you need to move forward with your life.
Navigating Your Future After Suffering Nerve Damage
If you’ve been in an accident in Kennesaw and suffered nerve damage because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve strong legal support to seek the justice you deserve.
Starks Byron, P.C. understands the challenges you’re facing and can fight to secure the compensation you need to move forward. We are dedicated to providing personalized, exceptional representation to clients throughout Kennesaw.
Contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation now, or give us a call at (404) 795 5115.
