If a traumatic accident recently left you paralyzed in any part of your body, the civil litigation you pursue over that incident should not just account for the short-term forms of harm your injury has already caused you. With few exceptions, paralysis is a lifelong and life-altering condition. A person who caused you severe harm through their own negligence should pay not just for your immediate losses, but also for the various damages you will incur in the decades to come.
Given the scope and scale of cases like this, having a skilled catastrophic injury attorney on your side is necessary to mount a full claim for damages. Throughout the duration of your case, your Pensacola paralysis injury lawyer could provide personal support as they work with you to hold the negligent party accountable.
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move and feel in a specific part of the body. It stems from a severed connection between the brain and the part of the nervous system responsible for controlling the paralyzed area of the body. This kind of damage most commonly comes out of trauma to the spinal cord, which can result in all sensation and motor function being lost below the waist or even below the neck. This is known as paraplegia and quadriplegia, respectively.
Monoplegia refers to loss of sensation in one limb and hemiplegia describes either the entire right side or entire left side being unresponsive. These forms of paralysis may come from localized nerve damage caused by a severe burn, deep laceration, certain forms of traumatic brain damage, or an improperly treated medical condition like a tumor or stroke. A Pensacola paralysis accident attorney could pursue fair compensation for the effects of these, or any other, forms of paralysis caused by someone else’s misconduct.
Any accident that occurred directly from another person’s negligent, reckless, careless, or illegal actions could be the basis for a civil claim if it is the main cause of a paralyzing injury. These incidents include auto accidents and even failure by a medical professional to meet an expected standard of care with a patient. Through a successful claim, it may be possible to hold negligent individuals or entities liable to pay for all past and future consequences of the injury, including:
Importantly, these sorts of claims are subject to the same rules as claims built around less severe personal injuries, including the four-year filing deadline set under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3). It is vital to contact a lawyer quickly after a paralysis injury in Pensacola so that an injured person can begin gathering evidence for their claim. A person who is dealing with paralysis should not have to handle the legal challenge by themselves.
Being paralyzed under any circumstances is a life-changing experience, and being paralyzed solely because of someone else’s actions can dredge up many negative emotions. As much as possible, it is important to stay calm and be proactive about enforcing your legal rights in this scenario. With the right legal counsel by your side, you may be able to minimize the long-term impact that your accident ends up having on your life.
A Pensacola paralysis injury lawyer could provide irreplaceable assistance every step of the way through your high-stakes claim. Call today to schedule a free consultation with the team at Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon.