Whether a car wreck, workplace accident, medical mistake, or another incident caused it, a paralysis injury can dramatically alter your life. It can also lead to uncertainty and fear. Is the paralysis permanent? What will recovery look like? How will you and your family adjust to the changes in mobility, self-sufficiency, and function?
While some paralysis victims regain some movement and function, many experience lifelong changes that severely impact their ability to work, their relationships, and their quality of life. When someone else has caused the injury, they should pay for the damages—but amid the life changes that come with paralysis, even thinking about pursuing compensation can feel overwhelming. This is where a catastrophic injury attorney comes in. A Coral Gables paralysis injury lawyer from Shirazi and D’Escoubet Law Group could offer the guidance and support you need to fight for an appropriate settlement.
Paralysis refers to the loss of muscle function or sensation in one or more parts of the body. It is usually the result of damage to the nervous system, including the spinal cord. The nature and location of the injury influence the severity of the paralysis, its impact on mobility and sensation, and whether it involves a loss of organ function.
Medical professionals describe paralysis in various ways, such as using the terms “total” or “partial” paralysis to refer to the degree of sensation or mobility that the individual loses. They also use different terms to describe the location of the paralysis. Paraplegia impacts the legs and sometimes the trunk portion of the lower body. Quadriplegia—also known as tetraplegia—is also known as total or complete paralysis because it impacts all four limbs and often the torso. Hemiplegia affects one side of the body and is often linked to injuries from strokes. Monoplegia affects one limb.
With a paralysis injury, you may experience the loss of bowel or bladder control, sexual function, or even the ability to breathe on your own. Paralysis can also affect the ability to regulate your body temperature and blood pressure. You also become more susceptible to secondary injuries such as pressure sores and fluid in the lungs.
The degree and location of your paralysis are strongly related to the financial and non-economic damages you experience as a result. A knowledgeable Coral Gables lawyer could use the details of your paralysis to help estimate these damages and suitable compensation.
There are many potential causes of paralysis injuries. Whether you are in a car or truck, on a motorcycle or bicycle, or a pedestrian, a high-impact collision can damage the spinal cord or cause a traumatic brain injury, leading to paralysis. It often surprises people to learn that slip and fall accidents can also lead to paralysis and other spinal cord injuries. Falls, especially from heights, can cause severe spinal cord trauma, and if the spinal cord is completely severed, the paralysis will be permanent. Falls are one of the most common workplace accidents that lead to paralysis.
Sports and recreation accidents can also cause paralysis injuries when damage to the head, neck, or spine occurs. While not all of these injuries are a result of negligence, many are linked to coaches, gym owners, or others failing to take reasonable precautions. Similarly, medical malpractice can lead to paralysis through surgical errors, birth errors, and delayed diagnosis. When paralysis is caused by an organic condition, such as a stroke, it may seem unlikely that someone else can be held liable. In these circumstances, however, it could still be worthwhile to consult with a Coral Gables paralysis attorney, as how medical professionals diagnose and treat a stroke can have a massive impact on short- and long-term outcomes.
Paralysis injuries are frightening and overwhelming, but you do not have to face this experience alone. A Coral Gables paralysis injury lawyer from Shirazi and D’Escoubet Law Group could help you defend your rights, fight for the compensation you deserve, and feel a sense of justice. Schedule a free case evaluation to learn more.
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