Nerve Damage

Nerves serve an especially important function in the body, allowing you to do everything from riding a bike to conversing with friends. However, when nerves become damaged, these once-normal functions and sensations may be affected.

If you’ve suffered nerve damage from an accident, consult an experienced personal injury attorney for assistance.

Table of Contents

Understanding Nerves and Their Role in the Body

Every human has nerves. In common depictions of the nervous system, the nerves look like thin, branching cables running through the entire length of the body.

There are two main types of nerves: motor nerves, which help you move, and sensory nerves, which affect your senses, including touch, smell, and taste. There are also autonomic nerves, which regulate activities you don’t consciously control, such as digestion.

Additionally, there are two primary groups of nerves that stem from the brain and spinal cord:

Cranial Nerves: Nerves that extend from the brain out into the head, neck, and face and have both motor and sensory functions
Spinal Nerves: Nerves that originate from the spinal cord and have both motor and sensory functions

Nerves send electrical impulses produced in the brain to other parts of the body. These messages tell your body what to do and how to react to external stimuli. Nerves assist with some of the most important bodily functions that keep you alive, like breathing and regulating heart rate.

Nerve cells are also called neurons. These cells are present throughout the body but are most concentrated in the brain and spinal cord, which serve as the central components of the nervous system.

There are two main parts to the nervous system:

Central Nervous System: Made up of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System: The network of nerves that carry signals from different parts of the body to the spinal cord

As mentioned, nerves are found in all parts of the body, including the:

Face
Arms
Chest
Abdomen
Pelvis
Legs

Because nerves are vital for normal bodily function, it can greatly affect your quality of life when they suffer damage.

How Can Nerves Become Damaged?

When any of the nerves in your body suffer injury and become damaged, you may begin to feel a difference in your body or have difficulty functioning. Nerve damage can affect your overall health and ability to live a normal life.

Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage

The symptoms of nerve damage often depend on the cause of the damage and the types of nerves that suffered harm.

Common signs of motor nerve damage include:

Muscle weakness
Muscle atrophy
Cramps
Twitching
Coordination issues
Paralysis

Symptoms of sensory nerve damage can include:

Tingling sensations
Numbness
Burning or throbbing pain
Coordination issues
Lack of sensation in certain areas
Difficulty walking

Finally, signs of autonomic nerve damage may include:

Changes in blood pressure
Dizziness
Fainting
Rapid heart rate

If you develop new symptoms and are unsure what’s behind them, it’s best to see a medical professional right away. A physician can perform a thorough physical examination and order diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend medical treatment.

What Potential Treatment Is Available for Nerve Damage?

It’s possible to treat nerve damage depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Potential treatment could include:

Medication
Physical therapy
Surgery

If your nerve damage affects certain parts of your body, like your muscles, you may need additional treatment, like braces or splints, to give the muscles time to recover and improve.

Unfortunately, when nerve damage is severe enough, there may not be any viable treatment options.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Damaged Nerves?

In certain cases, nerve damage can affect your life in the long term.

Some of the life-altering effects of nerve damage can include:

Chronic pain
Permanent loss of sensation
Difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels
Sexual dysfunction
Respiratory issues

When the damage is particularly severe, amputations may be necessary.

Aside from your physical health, the long-lasting effects of nerve damage can negatively affect your mental and emotional health.

Taking Legal Action for Nerve Damage Caused By Negligence

Nerves may suffer damage for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, certain things like nutritional or vitamin imbalance can cause medical conditions like neuropathy, which results from damaged nerves. However, in certain cases, nerve damage may not arise naturally but as a result of someone else’s doing.

Nerve damage is a common injury resulting from accidents and incidents caused by negligent individuals. A party is negligent when they fail to act in the same manner a reasonable, similarly situated individual would act.

Victims of the following types of accidents are at risk of sustaining nerve damage:

If you suffer nerve damage as a result of another party’s actions, you may have the opportunity to take legal action against them.

Filing a personal injury claim against the individual responsible can hold them accountable for their wrongdoing while allowing you to pursue financial restitution for your resulting injuries and losses.

A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can guide you through the process and assist you with seeking the justice and compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Is Available in a Nerve Damage Case?

Damages may be available to help you recover from the injuries and losses stemming from an accident, such as nerve damage.

Some of the damages you may be eligible to receive include:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering or emotional distress
Loss of the ability to enjoy life
Loss of consortium

A personal injury attorney can review the details of your situation and determine how much your case is worth. Knowing the true value of your case can help guarantee that you receive full and fair compensation.

If You’ve Suffered Nerve Damage, You’re Not Alone – Schedule a Free Consultation With a Griffin Personal Injury Lawyer

Nerve damage can affect your life and finances. Having an attorney fighting aggressively for financial recovery can make all the difference.

If you’ve sustained nerve damage due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to consult a Griffin personal injury lawyer, call (404) 567-4546 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Griffin personal injury attorney at The King Firm as soon as possible.