Westchester County Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Every year, thousands of people in the United States become paralyzed due to a traumatic spinal injury. Injuries like this often happen in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or other types of vehicle accidents. Injuries that lead to paralysis can also occur in the workplace. A spinal injury that leads to paralysis is particularly devastating because of its life-changing nature. In addition, an injury of this magnitude can put tremendous stress on a family, both emotionally and financially. Victims of paralysis may require the use of devices like wheelchairs, crutches, or walkers and may need in-home care for years to come. If you are suffering from paralysis that was caused by another person's negligence, contact an experienced Westchester County paralysis injury lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. You have the right to be compensated for injuries caused by another person’s negligence, including compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income.

Common Causes of Paralysis

While some spinal injuries occur due to an accident caused by the negligence of another, in other cases paralysis is caused by medical malpractice. For example, incorrect positioning of the patient during surgery can lead to paralysis as can chiropractic mistakes. If you believe that your paralysis is due to a medical mistake, contact an experienced Westchester County paralysis injury lawyer who has the knowledge to review medical records and fight for your interests.

Injuries leading to paralysis can also occur in a construction accident, such as from falling from scaffolding or a ladder. Employees who are injured at construction sites while on the job may be entitled to benefits from workers’ compensation. Workers compensation benefits are limited. There are circumstances where injured victims may be entitled to compensation over and above what is available via workers' compensation. For example, if the injury was caused by the willful or malicious actions of your employer or a co-worker, or if it was caused by third party. To determine discuss your legal options, contact an experienced paralysis injury attorney in Westchester County.

Signs of a Paralysis Injury

While paralysis can occur suddenly following a traumatic injury to the spinal cord, in some cases paralysis may not occur until days or even weeks following the injury. Signs that you may have damage to your spinal cord that may lead to paralysis include:

• Acute back pain
• Pressure in the back, head or neck
• Weakness in any part of your body
• Lack of coordination
• Tingling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Numbness or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Incontinence
• Difficulty walking
• Impaired breathing
• Twisted neck or back

If you develop any of these symptoms, immediately consult a medical professional.

Types of Paralysis

The spinal column is made of large bundles of nerves that run through the spine all the way to the brain. These nerves control the functioning of the body and make up part of the body's central nervous system. The location of the injury to the spine will determine the type of paralysis suffered by the victim. The types of paralysis include:

• Quadriplegia which involves the paralysis of all four extremities
• Paraplegia which involves the paralysis of the legs
• Hemiplegia which involves the paralysis of a single side of the body
• Monoplegia which involves the paralysis of a single limb
• Diplegia which involves the paralysis of the same body part on both sides (both legs, or both arms)

Pursuing a Claim

Suffering an injury that results in any type of paralysis is not only physically devastating, but can also have a devastating effect on your family's finances. Treatment of a spinal cord injury is expensive. In fact in the first year alone medical expenses can easily exceed $100,000. If your paralysis is permanent you will need lifelong medical care as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, counseling, and assistive technology. In addition, you may need to modify your home to make it accessible. Each year the fees associated with your care can exceed $50,000.

A personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident that caused your injuries will not only hold that person legally accountable for their negligence, but will provide you with needed financial relief to help you with your medical expenses and other losses.

Through a personal injury action you can seek compensation to cover the past and future medical bills related to you injury. You can also seek compensation for your lost earnings and compensation that you missed because you cannot work, as well as loss of future earning capacity. Furthermore, the physical and psychological pain and suffering you endured from your injury is referred to as pain and suffering and are compensable losses as well.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you or someone you love suffered an injury in an accident that left them paralyzed, contact an experienced paralysis attorney serving Westchester County who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with spinal injuries. Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in representing injured victims in personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from vehicle and construction accidents as well as in medical malpractice cases. Contact an experienced paralysis injury attorney serving Westchester County at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: Westchester County, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, and Suffolk County.

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