Staten Island Quadriplegia Injury

Quadriplegia is a type of paralysis that involves loss of movement from the shoulders down. It usually results from a catastrophic injury to portions of the spinal cord that are in the neck, corresponding to cervical vertebrae C1 through C8. Such injuries occur in a variety of types of accidents such as car accidents, a bad falls, or from mistakes by a medical professional. When a victim is suddenly paralyzed from the shoulders down, most aspects of the victim's life are forever changed, including the ability to work, the ability to perform activities of everyday living, and the ability to interact with friends and family members. Most accidents that lead to quadriplegia could have been avoided as they were caused by negligence, recklessness, or an intentional act of violence. If you or a family member are a victim of an accident that has left you a quadriplegic, immediately contact an experienced Staten Island quadriplegia injury lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation that will cover your medical expenses and replace your lost wages.

Common causes of quadriplegia

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries that lead to quadriplegia and other types of paralysis. In particularly, SUV rollover accidents put occupants at risk of a neck injury leading to paralysis. This is due to the fact that during rollover accidents the roofs of SUVs have a propensity to collapse, causing trauma to the occupants' heads, backs and necks. Other leading causes include:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Gunshot wounds
• Falls
• Diving
• Medical errors (medical malpractice)

Pursuing a claim for a quadriplegia injury

A quadriplegia injury attorney in Staten Island will explain that if you were injured in a SUV accident, construction accident, or other type of accident that left you a quadriplegic, you have the right to demand that the person whose negligent, reckless or intentional actions caused your condition to compensate you for your out-of-pocket expenses as well as your non-economic losses.

• Medical expenses: The medical expenses for treating quadriplegia will exceed $100,000 in the first year and will likely exceed $1,000,000 over the course of a quadriplegic's life. It is only fair that the person responsible for the victim's condition pay compensation for both your past and future medical bills.
• Lost wages: An injury that is so severe that it leaves you with the inability to move from the shoulders down will undoubtedly mean that you will not be able to return to your job for an extended period. In fact, most quadriplegics are not able to work at all. This means that your income will decrease resulting in financial struggles. Through a personal injury lawsuit against the reckless person who caused your injury you can demand compensation for your lost wages, lost compensation and loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering. The physical and psychological trauma related to suffering an injury that results in quadriplegia is significant. In cases where the victim suffers a permanent disability of this magnitude, the victim has a good chance of being awarded substantial compensation for pain and suffering.

Falls from scaffolding and other types of construction site accidents is a leading cause of serious injuries. If your injury occurred in a construction accident or in some other type of workplace accident, then under New York's workers' compensation rules you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. In addition, because quadriplegia is generally a permanent condition, you may also 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 resulted in a catastrophic injury such as quadriplegia, immediately contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the complex medical issues associated with quadriplegia. The quadriplegia injury attorneys serving victims in Staten Island at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in successfully representing clients seriously injured in 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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