Manhattan Paraplegia Injury

Paraplegia is a type of paralysis where there is a complete or incomplete loss of function in the lower part of the body or legs due to a spinal injury. It can include not only loss of sensation, but also pain or stinging, loss of bowel control, muscle spasms and a shorter lifespan. Paraplegia can result from an accident involving the negligence of another including a car accident, slip and fall or motorcycle accident. However this type of injury can also be due to a slip and fall, fall from a ladder or a construction site accident. If you have been paralyzed in an accident due to the negligence of another person, it is important that you immediately contact a Manhattan paraplegia lawyer as you may have a right to receive compensation for your injuries which can include reimbursement for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering.

Common causes of paraplegia

Paraplegia is typically caused by a traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Such trauma is usually caused in one of the following types of accidents:

• Car and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of injuries that result in paralysis because during such accidents occupants of the vehicles are receive traumatic body blows when the two vehicles collide or one vehicle collides with a stationery object. Common injuries are to the head, neck and back.
• Falls are also a leading cause of paraplegia, particularly when the victim falls from a height in a construction accident, landing on his or her head or neck.
• Violence, such as an assault with a gun or knife can result in the victim suffering trauma to the spinal cord, leaving the victim with permanent paralysis.
• Sports and recreation accidents can lead to damage to the spinal cord. For example, a fall while horseback riding or diving into shallow water can lead to a head, back or neck injury resulting in paralysis.

Pursuing a claim for a paraplegia injury

If you were injured in a car accident, recreational sport accident, or as a result of being attacked with a gun or knife, and as a result you are now a paraplegic, you have the right to demand that the person whose negligent or intentional act caused your injury compensate you for the losses you suffered. In the case of an injury that leaves you paralyzed from the waist down compensable losses are your past medical bills, future estimated medical bills, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

• Medical expenses: All past and future expenses related to treating the injury that led to your paralysis. It is important to demand compensation past medical expenses as well as for estimated future medical expenses as paraplegia means a lifetime of medical bills that will easily reach close to $1,000,000.
• Lost wages: An injury that is so severe that it leaves you with the inability to walk certainly means that you will not be able to work for an extended period. You may not ever be able to return to the job you had before your injury. Your employment prospects may be limited. You can demand compensation for all of the income and benefits your lost as a result of your injuries as well as the loss of future income capacity.
• Pain and suffering. The physical and psychological trauma related to suffering an injury that results in paraplegia is significant. Paraplegics often suffer from depression and have thoughts of suicide. Thus, you can demand payment for your permanent paralysis and the mental trauma that accompanies it.

If the injury that caused your paralysis occurred in a workplace accident, you may be entitled benefits through workers' compensation. Benefits include payment of your medical care as long as you are treated by approved providers and follow reporting and filing rules. You will also be entitled to wage replacement. Because paraplegia is generally a permanent condition and you will not be able to work for at least 12 months, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you were injured in an accident that resulted in paraplegia that you believe was caused by another person's negligence, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the complex 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.