Being paralyzed in the aftermath of an accident can be a devastating and life-altering event. According to a study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, approximately 5.4 million Americans are living with paralysis.
If you suffered a paralysis injury because someone else engaged in negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct, you might be entitled to compensation under California law. Consider contacting a Beverly Hills paralysis injury lawyer who has the necessary knowledge and experience to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love suffered a catastrophic injury that resulted in quadriplegia, paraplegia, or another type of paralysis, our attorneys at Titan Law Firm can help. We are prepared to do what it takes to help you achieve justice and hold the liable parties accountable for your damages and losses.
With an office in Beverly Hills, our lawyers serve clients throughout California, including the greater Los Angeles area.
What Is Paralysis Injury?
Paralysis refers to the loss of sensation, movement, or muscle function in a particular part of the body. A person suffers a paralysis injury when the nerves that connect and pass signals from the brain to the rest of the body are damaged.
According to the above-mentioned study by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the leading cause of paralysis is stroke, followed by spinal cord injury.
Paralysis can occur on one or both sides of the body. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, a person can be paralyzed temporarily or permanently. As its name implies, temporary paralysis often goes away after the injured person recovers from the initial injury. In some cases, the victim might need occupational or physical therapy to recover from paralysis.
Types of Paralysis Injury
A paralysis injury occurs when a victim is unable to make voluntary muscle movements as a result of an accident, spinal cord injury, stroke, or another cause. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, there can be different types of paralysis:
- Monoplegia (only one limb is paralyzed)
- Diplegia (the brain does not send signals to both sides of the body)
- Hemiplegia (the entire side of the body is affected)
- Paraplegia (both legs and the body are paralyzed)
- Quadriplegia (all four limbs are affected)
The completeness of the spinal cord injury is determined based on the extent to which the victim lost the ability to move or feel the affected body parts:
- Complete paralysis is when the victim cannot move or control the paralyzed muscles at all.
- Incomplete paralysis is when the victim retains some degree of motor function or sensory ability below the injury site.
Paralysis can devastate the victim and their family in an instant. Often, paralyzed victims need help from a caregiver to perform daily tasks, such as bathing, using a toilet, dressing, and others.
Causes of Paralysis
A large percentage of paralysis injuries are caused by the following traumatic events:
| Car accidents | Motorcycle accidents |
| Truck accidents | Sports injuries |
| Violence | Construction accidents |
| Surgical errors and other types of medical malpractice | Workplace accidents |
Regardless of the cause of paralysis, a paralyzed person may be entitled to financial compensation if their accident was the result of negligence, recklessness, carelessness, wrongful conduct, or intentional conduct of another.
What Compensation Is Available in Paralysis Injury Cases?
Depending on the severity of the victim’s paralysis injury, the victim may be able to seek compensation for the following types of losses and damages:
- Medical bills. Compensation for medical bills includes reimbursement for the victim’s past and future expenses related to medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and others.
- In-home care costs. Most people who suffer paralysis injuries must rely on the services of caregivers to perform daily tasks, including bathing, using the toilet, and others. In-home care costs are compensable.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity. When a paralysis injury prevents the victim from working, the victim can obtain compensation for the past and future lost income as well as lost earning capacity or disability.
- Modifications to the home. Many victims who suffer paralysis injuries require modifications to the home, such as adding ramps or elevators, widening doors and hallways for a wheelchair, and making other modifications.
- Transportation arrangements. A victim diagnosed with paralysis may not be able to operate a motor vehicle or even use public transportation, which is why they may obtain compensation for the cost of transportation arrangements.
- Emotional distress. A person who suffered a paralysis injury can obtain compensation for their physical pain, emotional suffering, diminished quality of life, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and other non-economic damages.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the person or entity whose negligence caused your injury.
Do You Need a Paralysis Injury Lawyer?
A victim who suffered a paralysis injury can hire a lawyer to handle the legal aspects of their claim while they focus on their treatment and recovery. Your lawyer will take care of all your legal matters to help you pursue the financial compensation you need to relieve some of your financial burdens associated with a paralysis injury.
A paralysis injury lawyer will:
- Investigate your accident
- Determine fault and identify all liable parties
- Collect evidence
- Prepare and file the necessary paperwork
- Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf
- File a lawsuit if no settlement is reached
Consider contacting a knowledgeable attorney to help you navigate the complex legal process and advocate for your rights and best interests in and out of court.
Speak with a Beverly Hills Paralysis Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been paralyzed because of negligence, omission, or wrongful conduct of another, contact a paralysis injury attorney to discuss your compensation options. At Titan Law Firm, our results-driven and experienced lawyers are committed to working hard to obtain maximum compensation for every client.
Our Beverly Hills paralysis injury lawyer will review the details of your case to determine whether the accident warrants a legal claim. With an office in Beverly Hills, our lawyers also represent clients in the greater Los Angeles area and throughout California.
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