Atlanta Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Atlanta Paralysis Injury Attorney

No one expects a devastating accident that will leave them paralyzed. Victims are suddenly robbed of their mobility, independence, and financial security. Paralysis can be caused by car accidents, workplace injuries, or medical malpractice, and the costs to the victim are tremendous. If you or someone you care about has been injured, it is important to contact an experienced Atlanta paralysis injury lawyer to fight for justice and maximum compensation.

Understanding Paralysis

Paralysis is a medical condition characterized by the loss of muscle function in part of the body. Damage to the spinal cord, brain, or nerves leads to paralysis, which may be either temporary or permanent. Paralysis can affect one or more limbs or large parts of the body. The level of paralysis depends on the area of the body affected and can range from mild to complete. Paralysis can impact a person’s ability to move, maintain independence, and their quality of life.

To prove liability in paralysis injury cases, it must be proven that the responsible party owed you a duty of care. They must have owed you a legal duty to act responsibly, such as driving safely, performing proper medical care, or maintaining safe conditions. Next, it must be proven that the negligent party breached that duty.

This breach must have directly caused your paralysis. Finally, it must be proven that you suffered damages that can be measured as a result, such as medical bills or lost income.

Paralysis injuries can be so life-altering that victims may suffer from them for the rest of their lives. As such, paralysis cases tend to result in a higher compensation amount than less serious personal injury cases. The state of Georgia also has a two-year statute of limitations for most paralysis injury cases. That means you have two years from the date of the injury to file your claim, or else you may be unable to recover compensation.

Types of Paralysis Injury Cases

Paralysis injuries can take on many forms. They can affect the neck, back, or brain. They can also be caused by a number of reasons. Some of these include:

• Motor accidents. This includes car, pedestrian, motorcycle, or truck accidents. These types of accidents often result in spinal cord injuries.
• Workplace accidents. Some industries are more hazardous than others, such as construction. In these industries, there is a risk of injuries from slipping and falling, falling from heights, and machinery accidents.
• Medical malpractice. Sometimes, medical professionals make errors in performing medical tasks, such as leaving instruments inside a patient during surgery, delayed diagnosis, and erroneous treatments.
• Acts of violence. Violent acts, such as assaults or shootings, can cause spinal cord damage and paralysis.
• Sports injuries. Some contact sports, such as football and boxing, as well as other high-risk sports, can cause paralysis caused by unsafe conditions or defective equipment.

Each type of case involves different evidence and legal standards. An Atlanta paralysis injury attorney understands these distinctions and tailors the approach accordingly.

Types of Paralysis

Paralysis is a serious occurrence that has a drastic effect on a person’s body, mobility, and functionality. However, there are a number of different kinds of paralysis. These include:

• Paraplegia. This type of paralysis affects the lower half of the body, most commonly the legs and/or torso.
• Quadriplegia. This paralysis affects all limbs.
• Hemiplegia. This is paralysis on one side of the body. This is common in traumatic brain injuries or cases of stroke.
• Monoplegia. This is paralysis in one limb. An example cause of this would be nerve damage.

There are other kinds of paralysis that a person may experience. For example, high tetraplegia accounts for one of the most costly types of paralysis. The type and extent of the paralysis determine the type of medical care needed, which has a huge effect on your claim amount.

Proving Liability in Paralysis Injury Cases

Proving who is legally responsible, or liable, for a paralysis injury can be challenging. Since most of these injuries are catastrophic, the defendant and their insurance company are likely to fight liability.

The process often begins with collecting key evidence. Investigators collect police documentation, medical paperwork, and eyewitness statements to determine how the incident unfolded.

In motor vehicle accidents, video footage might show evidence of reckless or distracted driving. On-the-job injuries may include employment records and OSHA violations. In cases of premises liability, maintenance records and inspection reports can prove a property owner’s neglect.

Attorneys may call on professionals, such as medical and reconstruction professionals, who can establish how the defendant’s negligent actions led to paralysis. When you hire a paralysis injury lawyer, they can bring this evidence together and build a solid case for you.

The Impact of Paralysis

The estimated annual incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is 54 cases per one million population, or approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injury (SCI) cases per year in the United States. Currently, around 302,000 people have SCI in the United States, with numbers ranging between 255,000 and 383,000 individuals.

With many injuries that occur after an accident, the injured person may have the ability to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, with a permanent catastrophic injury like paralysis, injuries are typically lifelong. Even with extensive medical care, a person may never regain their full functional abilities. While they may experience physical limitations, they may also face:

• Medical requirements. This can mean ongoing surgeries, physical therapy, and medications.
• Home modifications. This can include wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, and expanded doorways.
• Limitations with employment. In many cases, individuals are not able to return to work. In some cases, this is a permanent change where an injured party is unable to return to work, at least not to the degree that they used to.
• Emotional challenges. Paralysis can cause feelings of depression, anger, and anxiety. If paralysis happened from a traumatic experience, such as through a serious car accident, it can also be the cause of PTSD.
• Family impact. This is especially true when the injured person was the primary caregiver for a family, which can cause emotional strain on the family members.

Courts and juries have shown that they understand the heavy burden of paralysis on victims and families. These cases can involve significant compensation.

Compensation in Paralysis Injury Cases

Due to the many different effects that can happen, there are a number of damages that a person can recover, including:

• Medical bills, such as the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, and prescriptions
• Lost wages, including any loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering, including both the physical pain and emotional and psychological suffering
• Property damage, such as a totaled vehicle in an accident
• Punitive damages are awarded in cases of extreme negligence to punish the perpetrator for their wrongdoing

About Stephen T. LaBriola

Stephen T. LaBriola represents complex personal injury and paralysis injury cases for victims.

He has received an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, been named a Georgia Trend magazine “Legal Elite” yearly since 2006, and was awarded “Lawyer of the Year” for Securities Litigation by Best Lawyers®. Mr. LaBriola held the position of president at The Cooper Inn of Court and led the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association.

Our law firm handles many cases in Fulton County, DeKalb County, and the surrounding areas. We regularly try cases in the Fulton County Courthouse located in downtown Atlanta, which allows us to understand how judges and juries in this local community handle catastrophic injury claims.

FAQs

How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle in Georgia?

The timeline for settling a personal injury case in Georgia can vary widely. The time it takes to settle a personal injury case depends on different factors, including how complicated the case is and how severe the injuries are. While simpler cases generally settle within months, complex cases with severe injuries such as paralysis can require a lengthy period of time to resolve. The timeline of personal injury cases depends on negotiation, investigation processes, and court scheduling.

Is Paralysis a Permanent Disability?

Paralysis is a permanent disability in most cases, as it is usually the result of a major spinal cord or brain injury. Only a minority of persons with paralysis manage to recover some function through medical intervention, while permanent disability remains the common outcome for most patients. As a permanent disability, paralysis usually qualifies its victims for long-term medical care and financial and legal support.

Hire a Paralysis Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered paralysis due to the negligence of someone else, hire a paralysis lawyer to assist you in recovering damages. Stephen T. LaBriola can help. Contact us today to get started.