Grambling State's 2024 quarterback injury and what it reveals about spinal cord trauma

In October 2024, Grambling State University quarterback Geremy Hickbottom suffered a spinal cord injury during a game against Southern University. He was hit during the third quarter, remained conscious, and was transported to a hospital in Monroe, Louisiana. The injury brought when ready attention to how spinal cord damage happens in football and what recovery looks like—questions that explore far beyond the field.

Spinal cord injuries in athletes often occur from blunt force trauma: a tackle, a collision, a fall from height. The mechanism matters because it determines whether the injury is complete (total loss of function below the injury site) or incomplete (some function remains). Hickbottom's injury was reported as incomplete, which generally carries a better prognosis for recovery than a complete injury, though recovery timelines and outcomes vary widely.

If you or someone you know has suffered a spinal cord injury—whether in sports or any other circumstance—understanding what happens next, what medical care looks like, and what legal or financial questions may arise is essential. This guide covers those practical realities.

Key Takeaways

  • Spinal cord injuries from trauma can be complete or incomplete; incomplete injuries generally allow for some recovery of function, though the timeline is unpredictable.
  • when ready medical imaging (MRI or CT scan) and stabilization are standard; long-term care often involves rehabilitation, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment.
  • If an injury occurred at a school, workplace, or venue, you may have grounds to pursue a premises liability or negligence claim depending on the circumstances.
  • Medical bills for spinal cord injury treatment accumulate quickly; understanding insurance coverage, workers' compensation (if applicable), and disability benefits is critical.
  • A personal injury attorney can help determine whether someone else's negligence caused the injury and whether you have a claim for damages.

How spinal cord injuries happen and what the first hours mean

A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages the nerve fibers that carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body. In football, this typically happens from a direct blow to the spine during a tackle or collision. The injury can be a bruise (contusion), a partial tear, or a complete severing of the cord.

The first hours after injury are critical. Paramedics and emergency physicians focus on preventing further damage by immobilizing the spine, maintaining blood flow, and reducing swelling. Imaging—usually an MRI or CT scan—shows the extent of damage. Doctors may administer high-dose corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) within eight hours of injury; research on whether this improves outcomes is mixed, but it remains standard protocol in many trauma centers.

Incomplete injuries, like Hickbottom's, mean some nerve pathways remain intact. This creates the possibility of recovery through rehabilitation, though the degree of recovery is unpredictable. Some people regain significant function; others plateau. Recovery can take months or years, and improvement may continue long after the initial injury.

Medical care and rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury

After the acute phase (the first few days), treatment shifts to preventing complications and beginning rehabilitation. Spinal cord injury patients face risks including blood clots, pressure sores, respiratory infections, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Managing these requires specialized nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Rehabilitation typically happens in a specialized spinal cord injury center, not a general hospital. These centers have teams trained in the specific needs of spinal cord patients. Therapy focuses on maximizing remaining function, learning adaptive techniques, and regaining independence in daily activities. For incomplete injuries, the goal is to retrain the nervous system to use remaining pathways.

The length of inpatient rehabilitation varies. Some patients spend weeks; others spend months. After discharge, outpatient therapy often continues for years. Equipment needs—wheelchairs, braces, bathroom modifications, vehicles with hand controls—add significant cost. Insurance coverage for these items varies by plan and state.

When a spinal cord injury may lead to a legal claim

Not every spinal cord injury creates a legal claim. But if the injury resulted from someone else's negligence, failure to maintain safe conditions, or violation of safety rules, you may have grounds to pursue damages.

In a school or college setting, this might include failure to enforce proper tackling technique, inadequate medical staff on the sideline, or failure to remove a player with a known neck injury. In a workplace, it might be failure to provide proper safety equipment or training. At a venue or event, it might be inadequate security or hazardous conditions.

To have a viable claim, you generally need to show: (1) the defendant owed you a duty of care, (2) they breached that duty, (3) the breach caused your injury, and (4) you suffered damages. A personal injury attorney can review the circumstances of your injury and tell you whether a claim exists. Many offer free initial consultations.

Medical bills, insurance, and disability benefits

Spinal cord injury treatment is expensive. Acute hospitalization, surgery, imaging, and rehabilitation can easily exceed $100,000 in the first year alone. Long-term care—ongoing therapy, equipment, home modifications, attendant care—adds thousands annually for decades.

If you have health insurance, your plan covers some costs, but you will likely face deductibles, copays, and limits on rehabilitation visits. If the injury occurred at work, workers' compensation may cover medical costs and lost wages, though the amount varies by state and the nature of your job.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be available if you cannot work due to the injury. These programs have strict may be able to access rules and long approval timelines. A disability attorney can help with the process process.

If you pursue a personal injury claim and win, the settlement or judgment can help cover past and future medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Some settlements are structured as annuities to provide ongoing income.

Questions to ask a personal injury attorney

If you are considering a legal claim, an initial consultation should cover: Did the defendant have a duty to protect you from this type of harm? What evidence shows they breached that duty? How does your state's law treat similar cases? What is the statute of limitations (the important date to file)? What damages might be available—medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering?

Ask about the attorney's experience with spinal cord injury cases specifically. These cases are complex and often require informed testimony from medical professionals. An attorney familiar with spinal cord injuries will know which experts to hire and how to present the medical facts to a jury or judge.

Also ask about fees. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of any settlement or judgment (typically 25 to 40 percent) and you pay nothing upfront. Confirm this arrangement in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone with a spinal cord injury ever walk again?

Recovery depends on the severity and location of the injury. Incomplete injuries offer better prospects than complete ones. Some people regain significant function through rehabilitation; others do not. Research into spinal cord regeneration is ongoing, but no cure currently exists. A neurologist can give a more specific prognosis based on imaging and early recovery patterns.

What is the difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury?

A complete injury means no nerve signals cross the injury site; there is total loss of function below that point. An incomplete injury means some signals still cross; some function remains. Incomplete injuries generally have better recovery potential, though outcomes vary widely and are hard to predict early on.

If an injury happened in college sports, can the athlete sue the school?

Possibly, but it depends on the circumstances and your state's law. Schools have a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions and proper medical care. If they failed in that duty and the failure caused the injury, you may have a claim. However, some states limit liability for schools or athletic programs. An attorney in your state can advise on what claims are available.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a spinal cord injury?

The important date—called the statute of limitations—varies by state and the type of claim. It is typically two to three years from the date of injury, but some states allow longer periods for minors or if the injury was not when ready apparent. Do not wait; contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and meet important date.

Will workers' compensation cover a spinal cord injury if it happened at work?

Yes, if the injury arose out of and in the course of employment. Workers' compensation covers medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, the benefits are typically lower than what you might recover in a personal injury lawsuit, and you generally cannot sue your employer. An attorney can explain your options in your state.