Paralysis can affect all areas on an individual’s daily life. A paralysis injury could lead to significant physical, financial, and mental trauma. By working with an Alpharetta paralysis injury lawyer, you might be able to obtain compensation for these challenges.
If your paralysis is a result of another person’s negligence, an experienced catastrophic injury attorney could assist you with pursuing legal action against them. Reach out to a skilled lawyer to learn about the type of damages you may be eligible to recover.
Understanding Paralysis Injuries
Paralysis is a term that describes symptoms of an injury to the neck or head. In general, two conditions make up a paralysis injury. The first is the loss of the ability to control the affected body part. Known as the loss of motor control, this aspect of paralysis renders and injured person unable to use, lift, or move that limb or body part. The second aspect of paralysis is the loss of sensation in the affected body part.
The parts of the affected by paralysis general depend on the location of the injury. Injuries to lower back or spine could lead to paralysis from the waist down. Damage to the head or neck could lead to full-body paralysis. Nerve damage in an arm or leg could render that limb paralyzed while the rest of the body functions normally. The manner in which the injury occurs will play a major role in its severity. Some common causes of paralysis include:
- Car accidents
- Criminal assault
- Sports injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Surgical errors
Establishing Fault in a Paralysis Injury Case
A person that suffers from paralysis due to an accident could pursue a legal claim against the responsible party. Most of the time, prevailing in these claims requires a showing that the person responsible for the accident was negligent. A negligent act could include anything from driving carelessly to intentionally assaulting someone. Ultimately, any careless, reckless, or intentional act that leads to the paralysis of another person could be considered negligence.
There are four elements a plaintiff must meet to prove negligence. First, the plaintiff’s attorney must show the defendant owed them a duty of care. This duty could vary depending on the circumstances. If a duty exists, the next step is for the plaintiff to show the defendant violated that duty. Third, the attorney must show this violation caused their paralysis. The final step involves establishing that the injury caused compensable damages like medical bills or pain and suffering.
An experienced Alpharetta attorney could assist a paralysis injury victim with identifying the person responsible and filing a lawsuit against them. If that lawsuit is successful, it could lead to compensation for the injured person’s medical bills, long-term care, and lost wages.
Shared Responsibility
The courts in Alpharetta will still allow an injured person to seek compensation with a paralysis lawsuit, even when they are partially responsible. The state has adopted a legal principle known as modified comparative negligence.
Under this rule, a jury could reduce the amount of compensation an Alpharetta paralysis injury attorney could recover for their client. The jury will reduce the compensation award to a plaintiff by their degree of their negligence. For example, a plaintiff would only recover 70 percent of their damages if the jury finds they are 30 percent at fault. In cases where the plaintiff is found to be more than 50 percent at fault, the court could bar them from recovering anything.
What are the Long-Term Consequences of Paralysis?
Paralysis injuries typically have severe, life-altering consequences. Many individuals who sustain spinal cord injuries can no longer work, or have limited job options. Depending on the type of injury, they could require care for the rest of their lives, including help with dressing, bathing, and eating. Such individuals might need physical or occupational therapy for months or years, and deal with other ongoing medical costs, such as prescription medication.
What Damages Do Paralysis Cases Usually Involve?
Legal professionals representing plaintiffs with spinal cord damage often ask for a wide variety of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have specific money amounts attached to them, and include emergency medical care, ongoing medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and disability. Non-economic damages refer to mental and emotional repercussions from catastrophic accidents, and can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of life quality, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment. Damages do not make up for the injury, but allow paralyzed individuals to cover the costs of their ongoing care. It also makes up for money they will no longer earn.
Call an Alpharetta Paralysis Injury Attorney Today
An Alpharetta paralysis injury lawyer could walk you through the litigation process as you seek compensation for your injuries. They could serve as your advocate, both in court and while negotiating a potential settlement with the other party.
If you are living with a paralysis injury that was the fault of another person, you have the right to see monetary compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation with an Alpharetta paralysis injury lawyer immediately to get your case started.