Paralysis is obviously a catastrophic injury. When one becomes paralyzed, that person loses the ability to move a part of their body. The condition of paraplegia or quadriplegia results from injuries to the spinal cord (SCI), which transmits vital signals from the brain to the nerve systems in our bodies. Paralysis is highly debilitating, requires extensive medical care, and can complicate one’s participation in vital daily activities such as eating, walking, working, speaking, and much more.

There are several categories of paralysis, depending on the locus of the injury. These categories include paraplegia, which involves paralysis of both legs, quadriplegia, when both arms and both legs are paralyzed, facial paralysis, which can limit facial expression and make it difficult to speak and/or swallow, and partial paralysis, when a part of the body has limited mobility. Paralysis can happen at any stage in a person’s life and for a multitude of reasons, from birth injuries to vehicular accidents to nursing home abuse. Sadly, paralysis can be the result of negligence on the part of a driver, a defective product, a healthcare provider, or another party whose actions directly or indirectly led to the nerve or spinal cord injury.

Statistically motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injury, followed by acts of violence and falls (especially after the age of 45). There are, however, several situations in which negligent doctor care or healthcare provider care can cause a patient to become paralyzed. We have resolved cases where nurses have rolled patients with spinal cord injuries causing permanent paralysis. We have seen cases in which a patient in a hospital or nursing home falls out of bed due to inattention from the staff causing spinal cord injury and paralysis. If a tumor, infection, hematoma (collection of blood outside the blood vessels) or abscess near the spinal cord is not properly diagnosed and promptly treated, it could put pressure on the spinal cord, causing permanent damage. Improper administration of spinal anesthesia or a spinal block can also lead to SCI. These are only a few possible ways in which paralysis occurs. The Law Office of Scott Righthand has successfully resolved many cases resulting in paralysis, and we have extensive knowledge of the nuances of causation as well as the medical care for spinal cord injuries.

The costs of care for a paralyzed patient/client are extraordinary. Continuous physical, occupational and at times speech therapy will be necessary as well as a specialized medical care and equipment. Houses may require remodeling to allow for independent living to the extent possible. Specialized transportation needs are important. Attendant care is always a big issue in these cases and our experts insure that our clients injuries and damages are carefully assessed and evaluated so that full value is received for our cases. Additionally wheelchairs, nursing, medications and repeated surgeries may be required, and these can result in astronomical medical bills. Adult victims of paralysis may be forced to leave their jobs, and it may be impossible for them to resume working. All of these issues and many more are addressed in our cases.

If you have been the victim of an accident resulting in paralysis of any kind, a consultation with the Righthand Law Office will help you to determine whether or not another party may have been responsible for your injuries. We will do everything in our power to secure compensation for the damages you have experienced. You should not have to suffer financial burden on top of your physical injuries, and we will do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen.