New York Paralysis Injury

Every year in the U.S. thousands of people experience paralysis, most commonly as a result of a spinal cord injury. Often these injuries are the result of an accident at work, an auto accident, motorcycle accident or construction accident. Paralysis is the inability to voluntarily move a body part. Paralysis is a devastating condition as it affects a person physically and emotionally. You may experience difficulty in carrying on your life, and your relationships with friends and family will be affected. Physical therapy will be required, as well as assistive devices and various medical services to help. If you are suffering from a paralysis injury it is critical that you contact an experienced New York Paralysis Lawyer as soon as possible. You have a right to be compensated for your injuries including compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.

While paralysis can occur suddenly following a traumatic injury to the spinal cord, in some cases paralysis may not occur until days or even weeks following the injury. Signs that you may have damage to your spinal cord that may lead to paralysis include:

• Acute back pain
• Pressure in the back, head or neck
• Weakness in any part of your body
• Lack of coordination
• Tingling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Numbness or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Incontinence
• Difficulty walking
• Impaired breathing
• Twisted neck or back
• Muscle spasms

All paralysis injuries occur due to some trauma to the spine. The spinal column consists of large bundles of nerves that run through the spine to the brain. These nerves are responsible for the functioning of the body and make up part of the body’s central nervous system. These structures are delicate, and where the injury occurs will determine where the paralysis occurs.

There are various types of paralysis:

• Quadriplegia: paralysis of all four extremities
• Paraplegia: paralysis of the legs
• Hemiplegia: paralysis of a single side of the body
• Monoplegia: paralysis of a single limb
• Diplegia: paralysis of the same body part on both sides (both legs, or both arms)

While most injuries occur due to an accident caused by the negligence of another, in other cases paralysis is caused by medical malpractice. Some types of malpractice commonly seen in relation to these injuries include:

• Incorrect positioning of the patient during surgery
• Failure to immobilize the spine after an accident
• Failure to monitor spine during surgery
• Chiropractic malpractice
• Intubation errors

These injuries can also occur due to the construction accident. These accidents can occur from something as simple as falling from scaffolding or a ladder, or other construction related injury. If you have suffered a paralysis injury due to a construction accident, it is important to speak with our legal team for advice. You may be entitled to compensation over and above what is available via workers compensation.

Suffering an injury that results in paralysis is not only physically devastating, it can also have catastrophic effects on your financial well-being. Treatment of a spinal injury is costly. If your paralysis is permanent, you may also need physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, counseling, and assistive technology. In addition, you may need to modify your home to make it accessible. All of these necessities area costly and will contribute to your financial distress.

A personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident will not only hold that person accountable for his or her negligence, but will provide you with needed financial relief. Through a personal injury action you can seek compensation to cover the past and future medical expenses related to you injury. You can also seek compensation for your lost earnings and loss of future earning capacity. Furthermore, the physical and psychological pain and suffering you endured from your injury are compensable losses as well.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in paralysis contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with spinal injuries. Stephen Bilkis and Associates is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.