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Long Island Paraplegia Injury

Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that affects movement and sensation in the legs, trunk and pelvic organs. This type of paralysis is typically caused by a traumatic injury to the spinal cord that is the result of an accident such as a car accident, a fall, or a construction accident. As experienced Long Island paraplegia lawyers, we understand that devastating affect that such a serious injury can have on a family's emotional and financial well-being. We understand the urgent need for financial help and are here to help. Whether your condition is due to an accident such as a car accident that was due to the negligence of another driver, or is the result of a workplace accident, such as a fall from scaffold, contact our office as we will review your case and help you pursue compensation based on your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Paraplegia

Paraplegia and quadriplegia are the two major types of paralysis. Paraplegia will be the result of an injury to the spinal cord below the first thoracic spinal nerve. It causes motor or sensory function impairment of the lower have of the body. Some refer to paraplegia as partial paralysis while quadriplegia is referred to as full paralysis. Paraplegia can be complete or incomplete. With complete paraplegia there is no sensation or function in the legs. With incomplete paraplegia there is some sensory function, but no ability to move the legs.

In addition to lack of function in the lower part of the body, paraplegia is often accompanied by a number of other medical problems including impotence, pressure sores, thrombosis, impotence, bladder incompetence, bowel incompetence, and muscle spasm. Some paraplegics even experience pain.

While paraplegia is generally a permanent condition, there are therapies that can improve mobility and help paraplegic lead independent lives such as physical therapy, spinal fusion, medication, and spinal cord and muscle stimulating devices.

Common causes of paraplegia

While paralysis can occur because an illness, it is more common for it to be caused by an accident such as:

  • Car, SUV, minivan and truck accident
  • SUV rollover accidents
  • Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
  • Airplane accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bus accidents
  • Train and subway accidents
  • Recreational and sports accidents
  • Criminal assaults
  • Construction accidents
  • Falls
Filing a claim for compensation

If someone else is responsible for your paralysis it is only fair that that person should be financially responsible for your medical bills and other losses you suffered as a result of not being able to walk. Under New York law you have the legal to demand payment by filing a personal injury claim and naming the negligent person as the defendant. The defendant person may be ordered to pay for your emergency room fees and hospital bills. The defendant can also be ordered to pay the bills for surgery, outpatient treatment, rehabilitation, visits to specialists, medication, medical devices, and counseling.

In addition, the defendant may be liable for other losses you sustained such as lost wages, lost benefits and loss of earning capacity. Furthermore, a court may award you non-economic damages such as compensation for pain and suffering.

Hypothetical

Jeremy was driving on a highway heading home from work. Kara was driving in the lane next to Jeremy's vehicle. Kara's cell phone buzzed. She picked it up and started to read the text that had come through. While Kara tried to be careful and not take her eyes off the road, her car started to drift into the next lane. Jeremy honked his horn and started to speed up. It was too late. Kara hit Jeremy's car, causing Jeremy to lose control. His vehicle skidded to the shoulder and rolled down the hill off the side of the road. The roof of Jeremy's car collapsed. As a result Jeremy suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him with paraplegia. Devastated, Jeremy's wife contacted a paraplegia attorney in Long Island in order to file a claim against Kara. Jeremy will likely prevail since Kara negligently drifted into Jeremy's lane while using her phone.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in paraplegia contact an experienced paraplegia attorney in Long Island who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with paraplegia and other types of paralysis. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

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