Atlanta Injury Law Blog - Ken Shigley | Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer, Attorney, Law Firm

Car and truck accidents, as well as falls, can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which can be particularly severe. One area of the body that is often affected in these types of accidents is the nose. Nasal trauma can vary in severity, from minor bruises and cuts to severe fractures and permanent impairment.

The mechanism of nasal injury typically involves a sudden impact to the face, which can occur in a number of ways. For example, in a car or truck accident, the nose can be injured when the face strikes the steering wheel or dashboard, or when the airbag deploys. Similarly, in a fall, the nose can be injured when the face strikes a hard surface, such as the ground or a stair step.

Dog bites to the nose are common, especially in children. Dog bites can cause both cosmetic and functional damage as well as increase the risk of infection. In extreme cases, complete nasal reconstruction may be required.

There are several types of nose injuries that can occur in car and truck accidents and falls. These include:

1. Fractures:

Nose fractures are one of the most common types of nasal injuries. Depending on the severity of the fracture, surgery may be required to realign the bones.

A common internal result of a nasal bone fracture is a deviated septum. The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone in your nose. The septum divides the nasal cavity (inside your nose) into a right and left side. When the septum is off-center or leans to one side of the nasal cavity, it has “deviated.”The force of the impact can cause the septum to shift from its normal position, leading to a deviated septum. In some cases, a deviated septum may be present before the injury, but the injury can worsen the deviation and cause symptoms to develop. Symptoms of a deviated septum can vary in severity and may include: congestion or stuffiness in one or both nostrils;  difficulty breathing through the nose; frequent nosebleeds; recurring sinus infections or colds;  headaches; facial pain or pressure; snoring or sleep apnea; and decreased sense of smell.

Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are two different surgical procedures that can be performed after a  nose fracture injury, and they are often performed together. While both procedures can improve the function and appearance of the nose, they serve different purposes.

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is designed to reshape the nose’s external appearance. This procedure can be used to correct deformities resulting from a nose injury, such as a crooked or misshapen nose. Rhinoplasty can also be used to address breathing problems caused by structural issues in the nose, such as a deviated septum.

Septoplasty, on the other hand, is a functional procedure that is designed to correct issues with the internal structure of the nose. This procedure is typically performed to correct a deviated septum, which can cause breathing difficulties and other issues. During a septoplasty, the surgeon will reposition or remove parts of the septum to improve airflow through the nose.

While rhinoplasty and septoplasty are different procedures, they are often performed in combination to address both functional and aesthetic concerns resulting from a nose injury. This is called a septorhinoplasty. During a septorhinoplasty, the surgeon will address any structural issues with the septum while also reshaping the external appearance of the nose.

• Olfactory nerve injuries:

Olfactory injuries are those that affect the sense of smell. They can occur when the delicate tissues inside the nose are damaged due to a sudden impact. In some cases, olfactory injuries can be permanent.

The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell, and injuries to this nerve can occur in car and truck accidents and falls. The nerve fibers that make up the olfactory nerve are fragile and can be easily damaged by a sudden impact to the head or face. Injuries to the olfactory nerve can result in a partial or complete loss of the sense of smell, which can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.

Symptoms of olfactory nerve injuries may include:  loss of sense of smell; reduced ability to taste; changes in the perception of flavor; difficulty identifying odors;  phantom smells (i.e., smelling odors that are not present).                                      

The severity of olfactory nerve injuries can vary, depending on the extent of the damage. In some cases, the nerve fibers may be partially damaged, resulting in a temporary loss of smell. In other cases, the nerve fibers may be completely severed, resulting in a permanent loss of smell.

Treatment for olfactory nerve injuries may depend on the extent of the damage and the severity of symptoms. In mild cases, the sense of smell may return on its own over time. In more severe cases, treatment may include medications or surgery to repair or regenerate the damaged nerve fibers.

Unfortunately, in many cases, olfactory nerve injuries are permanent and may result in a permanent loss of the sense of smell. This can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, as the sense of smell plays an important role in many daily activities, such as cooking, eating, and socializing.

 3. Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries to the nose can include bruises, cuts, and abrasions. These types of injuries can be painful and can result in scarring. Plastic surgery including rhinoplasty may be required to repair cosmetic and functional nose injuries.

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious nose injury, submit our inquiry form or call us at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949. The founders of the firm were also among the founders of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Current partners include former presidents of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.

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Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School, and completed certification courses in trial practice, negotiation and mediation at Harvard Law School.

“Eyes are the window to the soul” is a common expression. More practically, eyes provide our windows to the world around us. The eye is a delicate and complex organ that is responsible for gathering visual information and sending it to the brain for processing. Eyes allow us to connect with our surroundings, relate to other people, stay safe, and help maintain the sharpness of our connections with the world.

Thus, traumatic eye injuries can have a significant impact on an individual’s life, both physically and emotionally. Such eye injuries can range from minor scratches to severe damage that can result in permanent vision loss or even blindness. Eye injuries can cause complex and life-altering medical complications, impacting education and careers, impede social relationships, cause permanent impairment, and hold profound marriage and family ramifications.

Some common causes of eye injuries include:

Car and Truck Accidents – Eye injuries, usually initially addressed in an emergency department, can occur in car or truck accidents in several ways.

• Penetrating trauma by protruding objects or debris.

During a car or truck accident, the eye may come in contact with a protruding object in the vehicle or debris such as broken glass, metal fragments, or other sharp objects may fly around and penetrate a person’s eyes. When a sharp object penetrates the eye, it can cause physical damage to the structures of the eye, such as the cornea, iris, lens, and retina, as well as the surrounding tissue.

The severity of the damage depends on several factors, including the size, shape, and velocity of the object, as well as the location of the injury. A small object, such as a metal fragment or a small piece of glass, can cause a corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the surface of the cornea. While this type of injury can be painful and may cause temporary vision problems, it usually heals within a few days to a week with proper treatment.

However, if the object is larger or travels at a higher velocity, it can penetrate deeper into the eye and cause more serious damage, such as a ruptured eyeball or a detached retina. These injuries can cause permanent vision loss and may require surgical intervention to repair.

In addition to the physical damage, a penetrating eye injury can also increase the risk of infection, as bacteria and other microorganisms can enter the eye through the wound. This can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as endophthalmitis, which is an infection of the interior of the eye.

• Blunt impact between an eye and any object in a car or truck crash can cause:

Retinal detachment, a serious condition in which the retina separates from underlying tissue, can cause permanent vision loss

Orbital fracture, a break in bones surrounding the eye.

Traumatic iritis, and inflammation of the iris.

Hyphema, in which blood collects in the front chamber of the eye.

Corneal abrasions, resulting in eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Airbag deployment: Airbags are designed to protect people in accidents, but they can also cause injuries, especially if they hit a person’s face or eyes. Eye injuries from airbags can range from minor irritation to serious damage such as retinal detachment.

•         Chemical exposure: In some accidents, chemicals such as gasoline or battery acid may leak or spill, and if they come into contact with a person’s eyes, they can cause serious injuries such as chemical burns or blindness.-

• Work Accidents – Workplace accidents, such as those that occur in chemical exposures, construction or manufacturing settings, can also result in eye injuries.

•  Sports and Recreational Activities – Sports and recreational activities such as baseball, basketball, and swimming can all lead to eye injuries.

Medical Complications

Eye injuries can lead to a range of medical complications, including:

•  Infection – Eye injuries can make the eye more susceptible to infection.

• Vision Loss – Eye injuries can cause temporary or permanent vision loss, depending on the severity of the injury.

• Scarring – Scarring can occur as a result of an eye injury, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

Social and Psychological Aspects

Eye injuries can also have social and psychological impacts on an individual’s life. Some of these impacts include:

• Social Isolation – Eye injuries can make individuals self-conscious about their appearance, leading to social isolation.

• Anxiety and Depression – Eye injuries can lead to anxiety and depression, especially if the injury results in permanent vision loss.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Individuals who have experienced a severe eye injury may develop PTSD, which can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms.

Permanent Impairment

In some cases, eye injuries can result in permanent impairment, such as partial or complete vision loss. This can have significant impacts on an individual’s life, including their ability to work and perform daily activities. In these cases, it may be necessary to seek compensation for the permanent impairment through a personal injury lawsuit.

Educational and Career Impacts

Eye injuries can also have significant impacts on an individual’s education and career. A serious eye injury to a child can affect the entire trajectory of education and life. Depending on the severity of the injury, an individual may need to take time off from school or work to recover or may be unable to return to their previous goals and job due to vision loss or other impairments. In these cases, it may be necessary to seek compensation for lost wages and future earning potential.

Marriage and Family Ramifications

Eye injuries can also have impacts on an individual’s personal relationships, including their marriage and family. In some cases, an individual may require additional support from their spouse or family members during the recovery process. Additionally, the emotional and psychological impacts of an eye injury can also impact these relationships.

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious eye injury, submit our inquiry form or call us at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949. The founders of the firm were also among the founders of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Current partners include former presidents of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.

Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School, and completed certification courses in negotiation and mediation at Harvard Law School.

Ear injuries are a common type of personal injury that can occur in a variety of situations, including automobile accidents, workplace accidents, and sports injuries. Ear injuries can range from minor to severe, and can have long-lasting, permanent effects on the victim’s quality of life.

Types of Ear Injuries

There are several different types of ear injuries that can occur in a personal injury situation. Some of the most common types include:

1. Tympanic membrane (eardrum) rupture: This occurs when the membrane that separates the outer and middle ear is torn or ruptured. This can be caused by a sudden change in pressure, such as an explosion, or by a direct blow to the ear.

2. Hearing loss: Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent and can be caused by a variety of factors, including loud noise exposure, head trauma, and certain medications. One of the partners in our firm has a daughter who became suddenly deaf at 18, so we have deep personal familiarity with the many effects of late onset of deafness.

3. Vestibular injuries: The vestibular system is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. Vestibular injuries can result in dizziness, vertigo, and loss of balance.

4. Ossicular chain injuries: The ossicular chain is a group of three small bones in the middle ear that transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. Injuries to the ossicular chain can result in conductive hearing loss.

5. Barotrauma: Barotrauma is a condition that occurs when there is a sudden change in pressure, such as during a flight or scuba diving. Barotrauma can cause damage to the eardrum and middle ear.

Causes of Ear Injuries

Ear injuries can occur in a variety of situations, including:

1. Automobile accidents: The sudden impact of a car accident can cause a variety of ear injuries, including ruptured eardrums and hearing loss.

2. Workplace accidents: Workers who are exposed to loud noises or who work in environments with sudden changes in pressure, such as construction workers, can be at risk for ear injuries.

3. Sports injuries: Athletes who participate in contact sports or who are exposed to loud noises, such as football players and boxers, are at risk for ear injuries.

4. Explosions: Military personnel, firefighters, and other individuals who are exposed to explosions can suffer from a variety of ear injuries, including ruptured eardrums and hearing loss.

Permanent Impairments

Some ear injuries can have long-lasting, permanent effects on the victim’s quality of life. Some of the potential permanent impairments that can result from ear injuries include:

1. Permanent hearing loss: Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Permanent hearing loss can significantly impact a person’s ability to communicate and can require the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices. It is axiomatic that deafness is in some ways worse than blindness. Deafness separates one from other people while blindness separates one from mere things.

2. Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears. Tinnitus can be temporary or permanent and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

3. Vertigo: Vertigo is a condition that causes dizziness and loss of balance. Vertigo can be temporary or permanent and can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities.

4. Facial paralysis: Facial nerves run alongside the auditory nerve in the ear area, and can be affected by ear injuries.  Injuries to the facial nerve can cause facial paralysis, impacting a person’s ability to communicate and perform daily activities.

5. Cognitive impairment: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur due to head trauma and can cause a variety of cognitive impairments, including difficulty with memory, concentration, and decision-making.

6. Emotional and psychological trauma: Ear injuries can also cause emotional and psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and may require ongoing treatment.

Medical Treatment for Ear Injuries

treatment for ear injuries will depend on the type and severity of the injury. In some cases, ear injuries may heal on their own without medical intervention. In other cases, medical treatment may be necessary, including:

1. Medications: Medications may be used to treat ear infections or to manage symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or vertigo.

2. Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to repair a ruptured eardrum or to treat other injuries to the ear. It may include implantation of a cochler implant if structures of the middle or inner ear are damaged, or an auditory brainstem implant if the auditory nerve is damaged.

3. Hearing aids: Hearing aids may be necessary to manage hearing loss.

4. Vestibular rehabilitation: Vestibular rehabilitation may be used to treat balance and coordination problems.

5. Counseling: Counseling may be necessary to address emotional and psychological trauma resulting from the ear injury.

If you or a loved one have suffered an ear injury, call us at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949. The founders of the firm were also among the founders of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Current partners include former presidents of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.

Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School.

Insurance company representatives often seize upon the term “minor brain injury” to devalue what is too often a life-altering event. They are eager to ignore post-concussion syndrome until vigorous representation forces them to deal with it.

While many people do seem to fully recover from an isolated occasion of “getting their bell rung” with a concussion in sports or accidents, many others never fully recover. The combination of “minor” with “brain injury” is thus often an oxymoron (a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction). No brain injury that has a continuing effect on- you or a loved one is truly minor.

A standard medical definition says that a patient with mild traumatic brain injury is a person who has had a traumatically induced physiological disruption of brain function, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. any period of loss of consciousness;

2. any loss of memory for events immedi­ately before or after the accident;

3. any alteration in mental state at the time of the accident (eg, feeling dazed, disori­ented, or confused); and

4. focal neurological deficit(s) that may or may not be transient;

but where the severity of the injury does not exceed the following:

• loss of consciousness of approximately 30 minutes or less;

• after 30 minutes, an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13-15; and

• posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) not greater than 24 hours.

This definition includes: 1) the head being struck, 2) the head striking an object, and 3)behavioral change(s) and/or alterations in degree of emotional responsivity (eg, irritability, quickness to anger, disinhibi­tion, or emotional lability) that cannot be accounted for by a psychological re­ action to physical or emotional stress or other causes.

It is also well-known that sudden deceleration, causing the brain to bounce around inside the skull, can cause brain damage even without a direct external impact to the head. However, insurance company representatives still argue that brain injuries are not credible without an external injury to the head and documented loss of consciousness. It takes vigorous, knowledgeable representation to drive this home.

A consensus statement of rehabilitation physicians recognizes that patients may not become aware of, or admit, the extent of their symptoms until they attempt to return to normal functioning. In such cases, the evidence for mild traumatic brain injury must be reconstructed. We have seen that many times. 

Mild traumatic brain injury may also be overlooked in the face of more dramatic physical injury (e.g., orthopedic or spinal cord injury).

“Minor” brain injury often has disinhibition effects, leading to impulsive, aggressive, or risk-taking behavior, particularly regarding driving, alcohol and drug use, and sexual conduct. All of that is destructive and can further contribute to a downward spiral of life.

Those behavioral changes are far from minor. They can ruin marriages, families and careers. They can plunge a person into a downward spiral of depression, hopeless despair, alcohol and drug abuse, and early death.

In recent years, we have all become more aware of the devastating cascade of destructive consequences of concussions in war veterans, football players, and ordinary people.

We have seen, both in law practice and among friends and loved ones, how “mild” brain injuries were initially overlooked or minimized but turned out to have immensely destructive effects.

The ripple effects of “minor” brain injury can be fatal. A man I knew had an accident that caused what initially appeared to be a trivial brain injury. But this brilliant, highly successful man lost the mental sharpness that had given him a great competitive advantage in business. He no longer had a rapid recall of names, numbers, dates, and details as before. Most people around him did not notice the change as he maintained a gregarious facade. However, recognizing what he had lost, he slid into a deep depression and within a few years took his own life.

A woman who was in a violent motor vehicle crash had surprisingly little physical injury but over the next few hours began to experience headaches, confusion and low-grade seizure activity. Eventually, the progression of occasional seizures led her to be barred from driving and the loss of a side business that gave her much personal satisfaction as well as income. She will be required to take anti-seizure medications for the rest of her life.

We have successfully represented many clients with so-called “minor” brain injuries and post-concussion syndromes. If you or a loved one have suffered such a brain injury, call us at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949. The founders of the firm were also among the founders of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Current partners include former presidents of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association.

Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School.

Among the worst injuries a person may suffer is a “broken neck,” a fracture in the cervical vertebra. It may result in irreversible paralysis or death.

The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the top two of seven vertebrae in the cervical spine. Depending upon their severity, these types of spinal cord injury are categorized as complete or incomplete.  Injuries at this top level of the spine can block nerve impulses to the rest of the body below that point, often leading to death or complete paralysis.

The C1 vertebra is also called the Atlas vertebra, named after the mythical ancient Greek hero who bore the weight of the world. The C2 vertebra is also called the Axis because it provides the ability for the head to rotate. The fracture of the C2 vertebra is often called a “Hangman’s fracture.”  The combination of C1 and C2 supports the skull, protects the spinal cords, and enables the head to rotate and swivel.

Injuries at the C1-C2 level are less common than at lower levels of the cervical spine. The most frequent causes of fractures at the C1 and C2 levels are diving, motor vehicle collisions, and falls that impact the head.

Symptoms of fractures at C1-C2 include:

• Loss of ability to breathe without help from a ventilator
• Loss of ability to speak
• Loss of feeling or sensation below the level of injury
• Paralysis of arms, hands, torso, and legs
• Limited neck and head movement

That is why a , a C1-C2 fracture spinal cord injury is among the worst injuries a person can have. Fortunately, near our office is one of the top spinal cord injury rehabilitation facilities in the United States, the Shepherd Center. Over the years, families of Shepherd Center patients have often asked us to meet with them at the hospital. Prospects for the degree of recovery from such injuries include considerations of:

The outlook of a person’s recovery from a cervical vertebra injury depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Health and fitness at the time of injury.
• Speed of response in getting appropriate treatment and stabilizing the injury, initially with a hard collar and then typically with external fixation devices.
• The completeness or incompleteness of  injury.
• Prompt use of anti-inflammatory and steroid medications to relieve swelling and pressure on the spinal cord.
• Prompt access to therapies and treatments at a specialized spinal cord rehabilitation facility such as the Shepherd Center.
• Ability of the patient, family, friends, and caregivers to adhere to a consistent care plan.

Therefore, a C1-C2 fracture spinal cord injury is among the worst injuries a person can have.

Legal representation of a person with such an injury due to someone else’s negligence generally involves identification of all at-fault parties and insurance coverages,  coordination with the medical team and development of the life care plan, understanding of the many medical and rehabilitation issues, empathy is working with a family in severe crisis, and settlement planning to coordinate insurance and governmental benefits through a special need trust.

If you or a loved one has a cervical fracture and spinal cord injury caused by another’s negligence, call us at 404-253-7862.

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Johnson & Ward has been a leading personal injury and wrongful death specialty law firm in Atlanta since 1949.

Ken Shigley, senior counsel at Johnson & Ward, is a former president of the State Bar of Georgia (2011-12). He was the first Georgia lawyer to earn three board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Civil Trial Advocacy, Civil Pretrial Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law). In 2019, he received the Traditions of Excellence Award for lifetime achievement. Mr. Shigley was the lead author of eleven editions of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice (Thomson Reuters, 2010-21). He graduated from Furman University and Emory University Law School.