Queens Quadriplegia Injury

Quadriplegia is one several different types of conditions relating to paralysis. Paralysis is a condition where the patient loses muscle function in a part of the body such as legs, arms, or a side of the face. Quadriplegia is as specific type of paralysis that refers to the loss of muscle and sensory function in both legs, both arms and torso. This means that a person with quadriplegia generally cannot move their legs, arms or torso and has not feeling in those areas of the body. Quadriplegia is often caused by a catastrophic accident that results in a traumatic brain injury or an injury to the spinal cord. For example, severe head injuries where there is damage to the brain are common in car accidents. Construction accidents where the victim falls from a high elevation or is hit on the head can lead to a brain injury or a spinal cord injury. Ultimately these injuries may damage the brain or spinal cord in such a manner that the victim ends up paralyzed. If you or a loved one is now a quadriplegic due to an accident that was caused by another person's negligence, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Queens personal injury attorney as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.

There are many causes of spinal injuries that lead to full paralysis. For example, a car accident construction accident, or slip and fall accident could all lead to a severe spinal cord injury that results in quadriplegia. Recent statistics indicate that nearly 45% of spinal cord injury cases that result in paraplegia or quadriplegia are due to car accidents. After car accidents other leading causes are falls and violence such as gunshot wounds. In addition, there are some cases where paralysis is caused by medical mistakes such as chiropractic malpractice, incorrect positioning of the patient during surgery, inadvertent nerve damage during a procedure, or failure to properly immobilize the spine after an accident.

While it is unfair that another person's negligence resulted in your catastrophic injury, it is also unfair that you suffer financially as well. The law allows you to recoup the losses you suffered because of the accident. The way to do this is to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. There are several types of damages that you may be awarded.

Your medical expenses will be substantial. You will have bills from the hospital, doctors and therapists. You will have expenses related to MRIs, lab tests, and medication. You will have to pay for a wheelchair. You may also have to modify your home to make it accessible. You should include all of these expenses and any other related expense in your claim.

Because an injury that leaves you paralyzed is so serious you will undoubtedly miss a lot of work. There is also a good chance that you will not be able to return to work at the same job or that you will be able to work at all. This will have a devastating impact on your family finance. It is not fair that you should have to shoulder this financial burden. As part of your personal injury claim you can demand payment for your lost wages, lost benefits, and loss of future earning capacity.

You can also demand compensation for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. Pain and suffering refers to not only physical pain, but also emotional suffering. In a case where the injury resulted in paralysis, you have a good argument for a significant pain and suffering award.

Keep in mind that depending on the circumstances of you injury, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Under New York law most employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Workers injured in the workplace are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits in the form of medical expenses and cash payments for their lost wages.

If you suffered a catastrophic injury that left you paralyzed, it is only fair that the negligent person who caused the accident be held accountable. The law allows you to demand money from that person. However, the process is complex and it is important that you are represented by someone who has experience. The attorney with the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have decades of experience successfully handling personal injury cases stemming from car, SUV, minivan, truck, motorcycle, 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.