Manhattan Paralysis Injury

Physical therapy assistant Natalie Barnhard became one of the thousands of people in the U.S. who suffer an injury that leaves them paralyzed when she broke her neck after a 600 pound piece of exercise equipment fell on her, breaking her neck. Often these injuries are the result of an accident at work, an auto accident, motorcycle accident or construction accident. Paralysis is the inability to voluntarily move a body part. Paralysis is a devastating condition as it affects a person physically and emotionally. You may experience difficulty in carrying on your life, and your relationships with friends and family will be affected. Physical therapy will be required, as well as assistive devices and various medical services to help. If you are suffering from a paralysis injury it is critical that you contact an experienced Manhattan paralysis lawyer as soon as possible. You have a right to be compensated for your injuries including compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.

Common causes of paralysis

While some people lose the ability to move a party of their body after suffering a stroke or due to some other illness, paralysis is commonly caused by a catastrophic injury to the spinal cord from an accident. Examples of accidents that result in such trauma to the spinal cord include:

• Car accidents, truck, and SUV accidents, particularly when a rollover is involved
• Construction accidents, particularly when the victim falls from a high elevation
• Diving accidents, when the victim dives into shallow water.
• Sports injuries, including gymnastics and horseback riding accidents where the victim falls on his or her neck or head
• Motorcycle and bicycle accidents, where the victim falls on his or her neck or head after colliding with a car
• Chiropractic malpractice, involving a negligent manipulation of the spine

Depending on the location of the injury to the spinal cord, the victim may suffer quadriplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, or monoplegia.

Pursuing a claim for a paralysis injury

If you suffered an injury that left you with paraplegia, quadriplegia or some other type of paralysis, you have to right to demand the person responsible for your injury to pay you for all of the losses you suffered, including your medical costs, your lost wages and benefits, and your physical pain and emotional suffering.

• Medical expenses: All past and future expenses related to treating your paralysis. In addition to the substantial expenses related to treating the spinal cord injury that lead to your paralysis, you may have medical bills related to treating complications common to paralysis such as pressure sores, infections and muscle spasms.
• Lost wages: An injury that leaves you paralysis will almost definitely limit your ability to work. Depending on what part of your body is paralyzed, you may end up missing a few weeks of work or a few months of work. In the most extreme cases, such as when the injury results in quadriplegia, you may not ever be able to return to work. This means that your income will significantly decrease. You can demand payment for your lost income and loss of future earning capacity from the person whose negligence caused your injuries.
• Pain and suffering. New York law recognizes that when victims suffer catastrophic injuries that leave permanent damage, the victims often suffer psychologically as well. T address this type of suffering, victims may be award compensation for such pain and suffering.

If your paralysis was caused by an injury at work, such as during a construction project, the accident may be covered by workers' compensation. Benefits include medical care, cash payments and vocational counseling. If you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, you may not also be entitled to file a personal injury claim.

If your paralysis is permanent and prevents you from being able to work, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that caused you to suffer paraplegia, quadriplegia or any other type of paralyzing condition, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with spinal injuries. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death 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.