Fully recovering from traumatic injuries often requires time, patience, and proper medical care. Unfortunately, certain parts of the body—most notably the brain and the spinal cord—do not have the capacity to completely heal on their own. This means accidents that cause serious trauma to these areas often have devastating and irreversible consequences.
Being permanently paralyzed to any degree is invariably life-altering. When you are hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a civil suit with the help of a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney. From the initial consultation to the resolution of your legal proceedings, an experienced Metairie paralysis injury lawyer could provide the custom-tailored guidance you need to achieve the best possible outcome for your unique situation.
How Negligence Can Cause Permanent Paralysis
The central nervous system connects the brain to every other part of the body through an intricate network of nerves, all connecting back to a central “cord” within the vertebrae of the spine. A traumatic injury to any part of this system—whether it be the brain, the spinal cord, or specific nerve clusters or endings—can result in parts of the body being cut off from the brain.
A serious injury stemming from a car wreck, slip and fall, or medical malpractice can potentially cause a partial or total loss of sensory and motor function in the impacted area(s). Various types of paralysis can occur depending on the location and severity of the injury, including:
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower limbs and torso, usually caused by damage to the lower half of the spinal cord.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia is caused by damage to the upper half of the spinal cord and refers to the paralysis of the entire torso and all four limbs.
Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is the paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body, usually caused by severe brain damage.
Monoplegia
Monoplegia is usually caused by localized nerve damage in the shoulder or hip and refers to the paralysis of just one limb.
A knowledgeable Metairie paralysis accident attorney could provide proactive legal support, helping the injured seek justice and the compensation needed to rebuild their lives.
Getting Around Obstacles to Effective Civil Recovery
In Metairie, a legal professional could help ensure that individuals who have been paralyzed due to the misconduct of others are not hindered by any restrictions placed by Louisiana state law concerning personal injury claims and the injured people filing them. For instance, even if someone suffers permanent and debilitating harm in an accident, Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 only gives the injured party one year to file suit after the initial incident, with virtually no exceptions made.
Furthermore, any accusation made by the “defendant” that the injured person was partly to blame for their own injury could result in a court assigning the victim a percentage of “comparative fault” for their damages. In accordance with LA Civ. Code § 2323, this could lead to the court reducing the total compensation available to that injured party or even barring them from financial restitution altogether.
Seek Help from a Metairie Paralysis Injury Attorney Today
When you have suffered a paralyzing injury in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are likely struggling with the profound impact it has had on your life. While financial recovery cannot erase the physical trauma inflicted on you, it can do a lot to mitigate the financial and personal losses you are facing because of this injury, both now and in the future.
Whether you were hurt in a car crash, an unexpected fall, through the negligence of a doctor or surgeon, or by any other means, you have help available. A seasoned Metairie paralysis injury lawyer could help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call today for a confidential consultation.
