Being paralyzed in an accident is life-altering. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens can be overwhelming. When a paralysis injury is caused by the negligence of another party, victims have a right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. If you or a loved one has sustained a paralysis injury, the attorneys at J&Y Law will fight for your rights.
As a premier personal injury practice serving clients throughout Northern and Southern California, the attorneys of J&Y Law have a well-earned reputation for being dedicated advocates of the injured. We know that a paralysis injury will have lasting repercussions: adapting to a new lifestyle, receiving medical treatment, relying on caregivers, and being unable to work. When you become our client, we will offer you compassionate advice and help you obtain just compensation.
Common Causes of Paralysis
Paralysis is typically caused by a sudden blow to the spinal cord. In particular, paralysis injuries often result from motor vehicle accidents in which the victim’s body absorbs the impact of the collision; motorcycle accidents, bicycling accidents, and pedestrian accidents can also result in paralysis. At J&Y Law, we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for the physical harm and emotional trauma they cause.
Through our many years of practice, we have also handled cases involving workplace accidents. Construction workers, for example, frequently sustain paralysis injuries in falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs and other heights. While injured workers may be covered under California’s workers’ compensation program, paralysis injuries caused by safety violations or third-party negligence are grounds for a civil lawsuit. Finally, medical malpractice, defective products, and premises liability can also result in paralysis injuries.
Regardless of the circumstances, our legal team will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and to provide you with powerful representation when you need it most.
Types of Paralysis Injuries
Paralysis injuries are classified by the degree to which the victim’s ability to control the limbs is affected. The loss of all feeling and ability to control the body below the injury is referred to as a complete injury; when some motor or sensory function remains, the injury is referred to as “incomplete.”
Generally, there are two types of paralysis — paraplegia and quadriplegia:
- Paraplegia involves losing the use of limbs and extremities below the waist, affecting parts of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs. In addition paraplegia is often accompanied by nerve damage in the injured area. Paraplegia injuries typically require surgery, physical therapy, and, in some cases, lifelong medical care. Ultimately, paraplegics may be unable to function independently and must rely on caregivers for assistance with daily tasks.
- Quadriplegia involves losing the use of limbs and extremities below the neck, affecting the arms, hands, trunk, and pelvic organs. Quadriplegia injuries are life-threatening, typically requiring surgery and ongoing medical treatment. Quadriplegics typically lack the ability to care for themselves and may also lose the ability to breathe independently.
Paralysis injuries are irreversible, however, medical advances and experimental treatments have the potential to allow victims to function more independently. In the meantime, the life-altering consequences of paralysis injuries make it crucial for victims to have aggressive legal representation.
Complications of Paralysis Injuries
Lack of mobility, difficulty breathing, muscle atrophy, depression and other potential complications of paralysis injuries (e.g. sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease) make it even more important for you consult a highly skilled personal injury attorney. At J&Y Law, we are well-aware of the long-term consequences of a paralysis injury and will help you to recover damages to cover all potential future expenses. We have decades of experience handling such cases and will leverage our negotiating and trial skills to help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
Recoverable Damages
In a successful paralysis injury claim, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages will compensate you for lost wages, past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, as well as the cost of assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, ventilators), and needed modifications to your residence. Non-economic damages are intended to cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, and loss of enjoyment of life. Although money is by no means a cure-all for paralysis, a successful claim will provide you with needed resources for all your future medical and financial needs.
Contact Our Los Angeles Paralysis Injury Attorney
At J&Y Law, our practice is devoted to helping the injured find justice. When you work with our winning legal team, we will provide you with a supportive environment in which you can make informed decisions about your future. Knowing that being paralysed will permanently change your life, we will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and your well-being. We handle all injury claims on a contingency basis, which means you pay us nothing until we recover for you. Please contact our office today for a free consultation.