Being the victim of an accident can lead to several types of injuries with far-reaching adverse consequences. However, few outcomes are as life-altering and traumatizing as paralysis. Individuals who are paralyzed in accidents may face unimaginable challenges in every aspect of their lives. These types of injuries typically incur many thousands of dollars or more in medical bills.
While life after a paralysis injury can feel nearly impossible, it is crucial to remember that you may be eligible for significant compensation for your losses. Our experienced personal injury attorney at the Davis Law Center can give you the support and advocacy you need while we work to hold the at-fault party accountable. We’ll pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
Understanding Paralysis
Paralysis is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle function in a specific area of the body. It occurs when there is a disruption in the communication between the brain and the muscles, typically due to damage to the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord. Depending on the extent and location of the injury, paralysis can be classified into several categories:
- Monoplegia – Paralysis affecting one limb or region of the body
- Hemiplegia – Paralysis affecting one side of the body, including one arm and one leg
- Paraplegia – Paralysis affecting both legs and the lower body.
- Quadriplegia (or Tetraplegia) – Paralysis affecting all four limbs and the torso
The severity of paralysis can vary from partial weakness to complete loss of movement and sensation. In some cases, individuals may also experience complications such as difficulty breathing, loss of bladder and bowel control, and chronic pain.
Accidents That Can Cause Paralysis
Various types of accidents can lead to paralysis, with some of the most common being:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis. These accidents can occur due to factors such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or poor road conditions.
- Falls – Slip and fall accidents, particularly from significant heights, can cause severe damage to the spinal cord. This includes falls from ladders, roofs, or scaffolding at construction sites, as well as falls in nursing homes or other care facilities.
- Medical malpractice – In some cases, paralysis can result from surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or improper treatment by healthcare professionals. This may include mistakes during spinal surgery or the failure to diagnose and treat a spinal cord injury promptly.
- Workplace accidents – Individuals working in high-risk industries, such as construction, manufacturing, or logging, are at a higher risk of accidents leading to paralysis. This may involve falls from heights, being struck by heavy objects, or getting caught in machinery.
- Violence – Assaults, gunshot wounds, and stabbings can cause direct damage to the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis.
Compensation Available in Paralysis Cases
Considering the far-reaching implications of paralysis for every area of your life, a successful personal injury claim can allow you to recover significant compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses – Paralysis injury victims often face six- or seven-figure medical bills. You have a right to claim compensation for emergency treatment, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, assistive devices, at-home care, and physical therapy.
- Lost income – Many people who suffer paralyzing injuries are unable to return to work for an extended period of time, if at all. Your claim can allow you to recover the income you would have made if you had not had to miss work due to the accident.
- Reduced earning capacity – If you cannot return to your previous job or go back to work at all, your injury claim can recover the future income you would have made if you had never been paralyzed.
- Pain and suffering – While it is impossible to put a price tag on the physical pain and emotional suffering paralysis victims experience, courts recognize that plaintiffs’ lives will never be the same again. As Michigan does not place a cap on pain and suffering damages except in medical malpractice cases, many paralyzed individuals receive significant sums for these non-economic losses.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – After paralysis, people are often unable to return to the hobbies and activities they used to enjoy. As a result, courts often award substantial compensation in this category.
While the amount of compensation you receive in a personal injury case can never be guaranteed, a knowledgeable paralysis lawyer can offer you a reasonable estimate of how much your case is worth.
Deadline for Paralysis Lawsuits in Michigan
Michigan’s personal injury statute of limitations stipulates that you have a maximum of three years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party for paralysis-related losses. As such, it is essential that you do not feel rushed into accepting the first offer an insurance company makes after your accident before consulting with a seasoned personal injury attorney. However, it is essential that you speak to a lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin collecting evidence to build a solid case right away. Your attorney can determine the full extent of your losses and negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement.
Contact Our Farmington Hills Paralysis Attorney for a FREE Consultation
The experienced paralysis attorneys at the Davis Law Center understand how overwhelming and disorienting it can feel to become paralyzed in an accident. We also understand how to fight for the compensation you deserve. For over 30 years, we have successfully worked to recover compensation for injury victims throughout Michigan. Let us put our experience and skills to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for personal injury accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macon County, Wayne County, Oakland County, and all of Michigan.