Paralysis is the full or partial loss of muscle function resulting from nerve damage caused by injuries to the brain or spinal cord. Various negligence-based accidents can result in injuries that lead to paralysis.
If you or a loved one has been paralyzed because of someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions, an Orlando paralysis injury lawyer could help you pursue fair compensation for your losses. Our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright could investigate the circumstances of your accident and collect all available evidence to build a strong legal claim on your behalf.
Types of Paralysis Injuries and Common Causes
Paralysis is categorized by the affected body region and the extent of the damage to the central or peripheral nervous system. The primary causes include spinal cord and brain injuries. Categories of paralysis include:
- Monoplegia: Paralysis of one limb
- Diplegia: Paralysis of two limbs on the same side of the body
- Hemiplegia: Paralysis affecting only one side of the body (typically an arm and a leg on the same side)
- Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting only the lower body, including the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs
- Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): Paralysis affecting all four limbs, usually resulting from a cervical spinal cord injury.
Accidents, such as car crashes, medical malpractice, workplace incidents, and other negligence-based events, can result in catastrophic injuries that lead to paralysis. Individuals and entities that cause such accidents due to negligence or intentional violent acts can be held liable for the resulting damages. Examples include:
- Hospitals, health-care facilities, doctors, and nurses can be held responsible if their negligence directly caused or contributed to your injuries
- Employers can be held liable for on-the-job paralysis injuries caused by their negligence, such as failure to provide a safe working environment or to train employees properly
- Property owners can be responsible for injuries resulting in paralysis due to their failure to address unsafe conditions or hazards on their property
- Manufacturers can be held liable for paralysis caused by defective products, such as faulty equipment or vehicles
If you or a loved one has sustained loss of muscle function from nerve damage due to someone else’s wrongdoing, our Orlando attorneys could work to identify the party or parties who may be responsible for your losses and for providing compensation.
Recoverable Damages After a Paralysis Injury
If you suffer paralysis due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you could recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses. These include all costs associated with treating the paralysis, including surgeries, hospital stays, therapy, and medications. Compensation for present and future earnings lost due to the injury may also be recoverable under your economic damages.
Our lawyers could also help you seek damages for rehabilitative expenses, such as physical and occupational therapy, necessary for regaining function. We could factor costs associated with alterations to your home—such as ramps, widened doorways, or specialized bathrooms—to accommodate your disability into the final value of your claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. This can include reparations for your physical pain and discomfort, as well as the emotional distress, anxiety, and depression resulting from the paralysis. These damages can also include the value of a diminished quality of life due to the limitations caused by the paralysis, as well as compensation for any loss of relationships and social interactions.
The time limit for filing a personal injury claim, including for paralysis, is two years from the date of the incident. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation, so it is crucial to act promptly. Consulting a paralysis injury attorney in Orlando as soon as possible could ensure you know the specific timeline for your case and file within the appropriate time frame.
Call an Orlando Paralysis Injury Attorney for Help With Your Claim
Paralysis injuries can be temporary or permanent, and the severity and location of the damage will determine the extent of the disability. An Orlando paralysis injury lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright could consult with experts in various fields, such as medical professionals, engineers, or accident reconstructionists, to build a strong case for your damages.
We could negotiate with the insurance companies to secure a settlement that reflects the full value of your past and future injuries from the accident. Our firm has recovered numerous favorable verdicts for paralysis injury victims throughout the years, including a $12.5 million award for a client injured at work and a $1 million award for a client who sustained partial paralysis caused by medical malpractice.
Paralysis injuries can be traumatic. Our lawyers could provide you and your family with emotional support and guidance during this challenging time. Contact us today to request your free case review.