After you have been left paralyzed after an accident, you could be seeking answers about what to do next. If you believe your injury was the result of someone else’s misdeeds, you should talk to an Olive Branch paralysis injury lawyer.
Personal injury attorney David E. Gordon practices in this area of the law and can help you receive the proper recovery amount by identifying the parties responsible for your situation and vigorously representing your interests in negotiations or, if necessary, court proceedings.
Understanding Paralysis Injuries
A person experiences some degree of paralysis when messages from the brain are interrupted or blocked and cannot reach other parts of the body. Unlike paralysis from a chronic disease, paralysis from a catastrophic incident often occurs suddenly and without warning, such as a truck accident.
Individuals can experience generalized or localized paralysis, meaning that the loss of function could affect a broad area of the body or a discrete area, respectively. An example of generalized paralysis is paraplegia, where a patient can no longer feel or move their lower torso and legs. When a person loses the ability to use their hand, for example, they suffer localized paralysis.
Paralysis can also be partial or complete. When an injured party loses all sensation or function of a body part or region, the paralysis is complete. If they continue to have sensations or mobility, even if minor, the paralysis is only considered to be partial. Whatever the technical terms attached to an injured person’s situation, the outcome remains the same – changes to their and their families’ lives, loss of wages, and costly medical bills.
Damages Beyond Immobility and Loss of Sensation
In addition to losing the ability to move a body part, those suffering paralytic injuries endure many on-going difficulties, including:
- Chronic illnesses necessitating hospitalization
- Respiratory complications
- Chronic pain
- Spasms
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
- Sexual disfunction
- Inability to feed, keep up with basic hygiene, and complete everyday tasks
- Depression and other emotional challenges
To cope with many of these struggles, paralysis injury patients may need the support of caregivers, either professional or a family member, specialized therapies, modifications to living spaces, and medical devices such as prosthetics or wheelchairs.
This care is expensive and can add up quickly, and the financial obligations often exceed what a family can afford. Hiring a local professional versed in this area could enable a paralysis injury victim to recover past costs, anticipated expenses, and lead the best life possible with their condition.
Moving Forward After a Motor Function Injury
The costs of facing life paralyzed can be overwhelming to a family. The growing medical bills are compounded with the inability to return to gainful employment. Furthermore, family members often give up their incomes to take on the role of caregiver. Securing restitution for these injuries can go a long way in easing these burdens.
Types of and Limits on Recovery in Olive Branch
Mississippi paralysis injury plaintiffs may seek compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages. They may also request punitive damages, within certain limits set by Mississippi Code Annotated § 11-1-65, for especially egregious conduct.
Mississippi does not set limits on awards, nor does the law preclude recovery if a paralyzed party’s actions contribute to their situation. However, the state does apply pure comparative fault theory, so the plaintiff’s participation in the incident will directly impact the amount they recover (Miss. Code Ann. §11-7-15). To protect their interests and avoid a deficient recovery, people living with paralysis injuries must accurately and persuasively convey their role, if any, in the incident. A local legal representative strives to minimize the fault of the plaintiff so he/she will receive as much compensation as they deserve.
An Olive Branch Paralysis Injury Attorney has a Plan of Attack
Living with a paralysis injury will profoundly change your lifestyle and your finances. Collecting damages from those responsible for this tragedy should be a critical part of your recovery plan and can be made possible with the help of David E. Gordon.
Olive Branch paralysis injury lawyers have experience in this area and will tenaciously represent you wherever you need them, in both settlement negotiations and at trial. Get started on your case by contacting us today.
