Paralysis is the inability to voluntarily move a body part such as a leg, arm, foot, hand or finger. 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. Accidents that result in paralysis include a car accident, slip and fall accident, or a workplace accident such as a construction accident. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you are suffering from a paralysis injury it is critical that you contact an experienced Queens personal injury 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.
Types of paralysisWhile many people think of paralysis as meaning that you cannot move from the waist down or from the neck down, there are a variety of types of paralysis that can affect a small percentage of the body or almost the entire body. For example, in some cases the victim suffers paralysis in a single finger. In other cases one side of the victim's face is paralyzed. In other cases the victim may suffer from paraplegia, meaning that he is unable to move his legs, while in still other cases the victim may suffer from hemiplegia meaning that she is not able to move one side of her body. The most severe type of paralysis is quadriplegia where the spinal cord damage is severe that the victim suffers paralysis form the neck down. Common to all paralysis is nerve damage.
Common causes of paralysisParalysis is always caused by nerve damage. One of the most common causes of paralysis is an auto accident where the victim suffers a back injury with damage to the spinal cord. In other cases a severe blow to the head or a fall can lead to a spinal cord injury and paralysis. Football players, horseback rides and other athletes have suffered permanent paralysis after a head injury from being thrown to the ground.
In other instances the spinal cord injury and paralysis occurred because of negligence after an accident. For example, if an injured victim's neck is not properly mobilized before the victim is moved injury could be exacerbated leading to permanent paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice where the patient is not properly positioned during surgery or where a chiropractor negligently treats a patient.
Personal injury claimVictims who suffer catastrophic injuries such as traumatic paralysis will require extensive treatment. Immediately after the accident the victim will likely be transported to the hospital in the ambulance, be treated in the emergency room, and will then be admitted to the hospital. The victim may require surgery. The victim will undoubtedly have lab tests, MRIs, and may have to take other diagnostic tests. Victims who are permanently paralyzed will face rehabilitation and therapy for years. All of these necessities will cost quite a bit annually and may cause you to fall into deep debt.
By filing a claim against the person whose negligence caused the accident which left you paralyzed, you may be awarded a substantial amount of damages to help you pay for your medical expenses and help support your family. You can demand compensation for your medical expenses—both past and future, lost earnings, loss of future ability to earn a living, and pain and suffering.
If the injury that resulted in your paralysis was work-related, there is a possibility that you may be barred from pursuing a personal injury claim, but you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Benefits from workers' compensation include medical expenses and income replacement.
It is important to understand that just because your accident is covered by workers' compensation does not always mean that you are barred from pursuing a personal injury claim. It is important to discuss your case with an experience attorney who will ensure that you receive the benefits and compensation to which you are entitled.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in paralysis 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.