Paralysis results from the spinal cord losing functionality due to either disease or injury. Spinal cord damage causes a blockage of the signals sent and received between nerves and the brain. Bruising, stretching, crushing, or severing the spinal cord can result in some form of paralysis.
These injuries can severely affect a person’s life and ability to complete daily tasks. If you or a loved one suffered a paralyzing accident caused by another person’s reckless behavior, there may be legal options for recovering the compensation you need to move forward with your life. A Winder paralysis injury lawyer could assess your case and advocate for your interests. At Smith Hulsey, our dedicated attorneys understand the devastating impact of paralysis injuries and are here to provide representation on behalf of victims.
There are several types of paralysis injuries, differing in severity and body part impacted. Incomplete paralysis occurs when the communication ability of the spinal column nerves is impacted in the area surrounding the injury. However, the injured person still maintains sensation below the site of the injury. Complete paralysis is a state where both movement and sensation are entirely gone.
When paralysis affects the movement and feeling of the legs and torso, it is known as paraplegia. Paraplegia can range from minor immobility or the total and irreversible loss of sensation and movement from the feet and legs to the waist. Quadriplegia affects more of the body, paralyzing a person from the shoulders down.
Paralysis can result from various situations. Our local paralysis attorneys commonly handle cases involving the following scenarios:
If a paralyzing accident is caused by another person, the injured victim may be able to hold them liable for their losses. However, the victim and their attorney must first prove negligence by the at-fault party to recover damages. Negligence, as defined under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) §51-1-2, is a person’s failure to exhibit reasonable care to prevent injuring another person. To prove negligence, an injured plaintiff must demonstrate the following elements:
A paralyzed person and their family should work with a skilled attorney at our Winder office for help establishing these legal elements of negligence.
In addition to having significant physical and emotional ramifications, paralysis injuries can also be financially burdensome. Certain costs are obvious, such as medical expenses and loss of wages while the paralyzed person is unable to work. However, the value of a person’s lost earning potential, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering can be more difficult to calculate. A paralyzed person should work with a seasoned lawyer to accurately determine the impact of their injury on the rest of their life.
Importantly, a person’s compensation could be impacted by Georgia’s comparative negligence rule. This states that the damages award in a civil case can be reduced based on the injured person’s partial responsibility in causing the accident. If the person is found more than 50 percent responsible, they will be barred from collecting any compensation at all.
Additionally, Winder residents must be aware of Georgia’s statute of limitations when pursuing compensation for a paralyzing accident. A person has only two years from the date of their injury to file a claim. As such, it is crucial for paralysis victims to reach out to legal counsel as soon as possible to retain their right to seek appropriate compensation.
When recovering from a paralyzing injury and adjusting to their new life, a person may face many physical, emotional, and financial difficulties. A civil claim for compensation may be key in getting the resources necessary to pay for medical bills and ease the burdens of such devastating injuries.
At Smith Hulsey, a Winder paralysis injury lawyer could be an important legal advocate for injured victims and their families. If you are suffering from this type of injury, do not hesitate to reach out and get the legal help you need. Call today for a free consultation about your situation.
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