Spinal cord injuries can happen to anyone, but when a child suffers this devastating injury, it brings a whole new set of challenges for the child, their family, and their medical team. Georgia families coping with pediatric spinal cord injury accidents face hurdles that many adults do not. This article will examine some of the unique needs of children with spinal cord injuries in Georgia and how families can get the help they require during this difficult time.
Causes and Statistics of Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries in Georgia
Spinal cord injuries in children most often occur due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports and recreation activities. According to the Georgia Statewide Trauma System, motor vehicle crashes account for over 50% of pediatric spinal cord injuries in the state. Falls make up around 20% of cases, while sports, recreation activities, violence, and other causes account for the remaining spinal cord injuries.
Nationwide, there are approximately 1,250 new spinal cord injury cases among children under 15 each year. Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to suffer spinal cord injuries. The average age of pediatric spinal cord injury is about 10 years old.
Understanding the common causes of spinal cord injuries in children can help Georgia families take steps to prevent these devastating accidents. Proper use of car seats and seat belts, childproofing homes to prevent dangerous falls, and using proper safety gear during sports and recreation can help reduce the risk. Parents should be especially diligent about safety protocols for high-risk activities like football, cheerleading, and diving.
Unique Medical Needs for Kids with Spinal Cord Injuries
When a child suffers a spinal cord injury, their still-developing body can react differently than an adult’s. The spinal cord does not fully mature until about age 18-21. As a result, children face unique short- and long-term medical complications from their injuries.
Some of the unique medical challenges kids with spinal cord injuries may encounter include:
- Impaired growth and skeletal development
- Higher risk of scoliosis and orthopedic deformities
- Difficulty thermoregulating body temperature
- Higher risk of respiratory issues like pneumonia
- Greater risk of pressure injuries and urinary tract infections
- More urinary tract infections
- Delayed sexual development during puberty
- Higher lifetime medical costs
- The potential need for multiple surgeries
Doctors caring for pediatric spinal cord injury patients must have specialized training to manage these complex and evolving medical issues over the child’s development. Georgia families should look for pediatric rehabilitation facilities with experience caring for young patients.
The Emotional Toll on Children and Families
A spinal cord injury turns a child’s world upside down. They must adjust to new physical limitations, medical routines, and often undergo multiple surgeries and extended hospital stays. These changes can take a major emotional toll on the injured child as well as their family members.
Common emotional effects of pediatric spinal cord injury include:
- Depression, anxiety, PTSD
- Struggles with independence, self-image, and identity
- Isolation from peers
- Role changes within the family
- Financial stressors
- Disruption to schooling and social development
Getting appropriate mental health support is critical but not always easy. There are fewer counseling professionals trained to help pediatric spinal cord injury patients compared to adults. Support groups can help kids adjust and feel less alone. But finding one nearby can be difficult in Georgia. Seeking out mental health services should be a priority for families coping with pediatric spinal cord injuries.
The Need for Specialized Long-Term Care
Lifelong help is necessary for most children with spinal cord injuries. But Georgia lacks enough facilities focused on their specialized long-term care needs.
Pediatric patients benefit from services like:
- Accessible housing adapted for wheelchairs
- In-home nursing care
- Specialized therapies and rehab
- Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
- Transition programs as they age out of pediatric care
The shortage of specialized services forces many families to pay high costs out-of-pocket or travel long distances to access appropriate care. Advocacy is needed to improve options within Georgia such as long-term assisted living facilities tailored to younger spinal cord injury patients.
Financial Hardships for Families
All of the medical, equipment, housing, therapy, and care costs add up quickly. Lifetime costs for a pediatric spinal cord injury can exceed $5 million. Many families are overwhelmed financially, even with health insurance.
There are some options that may help with costs:
- Applying for Social Security and Medicaid
- Reaching out to nonprofit organizations and community fundraising
- Setting up online fundraisers or crowdsourcing campaigns
- Looking into settlement options if there is a liable party
Getting knowledgeable legal guidance can be essential to stabilize finances. An experienced personal injury attorney understands these unique cases and the full scope of current and future costs. They can pursue available options for coverage and compensation.
Finding the Right Legal Help in Georgia
Recovering compensation after a spinal cord injury accident requires proving negligence of another party like a driver, coach, or property owner. An attorney can build a strong case by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation
- Gathering evidence like medical records and accident reports
- Consulting with rehabilitation experts
- Investigating insurance policies that may be applicable
- Negotiating with insurance companies
Look for a lawyer with specific experience with pediatric spinal cord injury cases. They will understand the full scope of damages when a child is permanently injured. An attorney familiar with local courts and laws will also know how to maximize results under Georgia’s legal system.
The personal injury attorneys at Monge & Associates have over three decades of expertise with catastrophic injury claims in Georgia and beyond. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Georgia, South Carolina, and Nebraska, we have the resources to handle complex pediatric spinal cord injury cases while still providing personal, compassionate guidance. Our team understands the physical, emotional and financial devastation these accidents cause Georgia families.
Contact us today for a free consultation at (888) 477-0597. We are dedicated to helping your family move forward and secure the long-term care and compensation needed during this challenging time. You don’t have to go through this alone.