Staten Island Paralysis Injury
Paralysis is defined as the inability to move or feel sensation in a part of the body. While paraplegia and quadriplegia are types of paralysis that we often hear about, there are other types of paralysis including paralysis in a single finger to paralysis of one side of the body, to facial paralysis. While paralysis can be caused by an illness such as a stroke, many people who suffer from paralysis are injured in accidents such as car accidents including SUV rollover accidents and construction accidents. Any accident that causes an injury to the brain or spinal cord can lead to some type of temporary or permanent paralysis. Paralysis tends to cause severe financial hardship on the victim and his or her family, as serious cases can be quite expensive to treat while leaving the victim unable to work. If you are suffering from a paralysis injury that was caused by another person's negligence it is critical that you immediately contact an experienced Staten Island paralysis injury lawyer who will pursue compensation on your behalf from the person whose reckless actions caused your injuries.
Common causes of paralysisWhile paralysis can be caused by a stroke or conditions such as cerebral palsy, it is frequently caused by a traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord. Some of the top causes of spinal cord injuries include car accidents, falls, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, and recreational accidents.
Types of paralysisThe location of the injury in the spinal cord or in the brain will determine what part of the body the loss of function effects and the type of paralysis suffered by the victim.
- Quadriplegia. Quadriplegics are paralyzed from the shoulders down. Some refer to it as complete paralysis.
- Paraplegia. Paraplegics are paralyzed from the waist down.
- Hemiplegia. Hemiplegics lose feeling on one side of the body.
- Monoplegia. Monoplegics lose the ability to move a single limb
Whether you were injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, a workplace accident or some other type of accident, a paralysis injury attorney in Staten Island will explain that you have to right to demand the person responsible for your injury to pay you for all of the losses you suffered. This includes not only economic losses such as your medical expenses and lost income, but also non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
- Medical expenses: All past and future expenses related to treating the injury that resulting in your being paralyzed. In the case of an injury that left you paralyzed, you can demand compensation of the medical bills associated with treated in initial injury, but also the medical bills associated with any complication such as pressure sores, infections, incontinence and breathing problems. This includes not just your doctor's bills, but also expenses for your medication and specialized medical equipment.
- Lost wages: Whether your work for someone else, or have your own business, you can demand compensation for the income you lost as a result of your paralysis.
- Pain and suffering. This includes compensation for the physical suffering as well as the psychological toll that facing sudden paralysis will have on you. Evidence of emotional pain may include depression, feeling tired all of the time and the inability to sleep.
If your paralysis was caused by an accident while you were working, you may be eligible to receive benefits under New York's workers' compensation rules. Workers' compensation provides injured employees with medical benefits, lost wages, and vocational counseling.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was injured in an accident that caused you to suffer paraplegia, quadriplegia or any other type of paralysis contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the complex medical issues associated with spinal injuries. The paralysis injury attorneys serving clients in Staten Island at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are 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.