Paralysis is a weakening of or loss of control over the muscles in a particular part of the body. Most often, it is caused by damage somewhere along the line of nerve cells that run from the brain to the affected muscle group. The more physically debilitating types of paralysis can be categorized by how large an area is affected, and include monoplegia (one limb), hemiplegia (one side of the body), paraplegia (both legs), and quadriplegia (both arms and both legs).
If you or someone in your family has been paralyzed in an accident, consider contacting the offices of a New Port Richey paralysis injury lawyer. A dedicated catastrophic injury attorney may be able to hold the at-fault parties accountable and seek compensation on your behalf.
Causes of Paralysis
A New Port Richey paralysis injury lawyer could be called on to represent a plaintiff who became paralyzed in many different ways. The following types of accidents caused by someone’s negligence can lead to paralysis.
Auto Accidents
It is estimated that auto accidents account for about 40 percent of all major paralysis injuries in the United States.
Medical Malpractice
A patient undergoing surgery can become paralyzed if a nerve is accidentally severed or anesthesia is improperly administered and medical malpractice has occurred. In this case, a New Port Richey paralysis injury attorney could file a claim for damages under a theory of medical malpractice.
Falls
Slipping and falling at a store or another property open to the public can potentially cause someone to become paralyzed. Depending on the circumstances, the owner or operator of the premises could be held liable under premises liability law.
Defective Product
A defective product – such as an exploding tire or an airbag that did not deploy when it should have – can be responsible for causing or contributing to a paralysis injury.
Recoverable Damages in a Paralysis Lawsuit
Someone who has been paralyzed in an accident may require a lifetime of care. With the help of a New Port Richey paralysis injury attorney, such an individual can potentially be awarded the following types of legal damages:
Medical Costs
The medical costs associated with paralysis are quite often substantial. Tetraplegia, for example, can generate medical costs in excess of $1 million in the first year alone, with subsequent annual expenses of up to $200,000, on average.
Lost Wages
Being paralyzed in an accident will almost certainly force one to take a leave of absence from work and may even make it impossible for them to earn a living again. Lost wages, as well as loss of future earning capacity, are two distinct but closely related types of damages the victim could qualify for.
Pain and Suffering
The legal concept of pain and suffering covers both the current and future physical pain of being paralyzed and the long-term mental anguish associated with having such an injury. In calculating pain and suffering, Florida law allows for the consideration of a variety of factors, such as the severity of the injury, the projected length of recovery, and the impact the injury has had on the victim’s life.
Contact a New Port Richey Paralysis Injury Attorney Today
Suffering a paralysis injury – such as one that leaves you without the use of one or more limbs – can change the course of your life as you know it practically in an instant. If you were paralyzed in an accident and have reason to believe someone else should be held responsible, then do not hesitate to contact a New Port Richey paralysis injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer may be able to pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf.
