A paralyzing injury is one of the few events that could literally change a life in a heartbeat. Losing the function of one or more limbs requires the injured person and his or her family to adapt to a whole new way of life.
Coping with paralysis is physically, mentally, and financially draining. If the accident that led to the paralysis was the result of another party’s negligence, a family could seek monetary compensation from the responsible party. Although money cannot cure paralysis, it could ensure the injured person gets excellent care and help a family regroup and move forward after the injury. If you or a loved one have recently suffered a paralyzing injury due to another person’s carelessness, you do not have to move forward alone. Reach out to a compassionate catastrophic injury attorney today to take the first step and begin your claim. A Cambria County paralysis injury lawyer could fight to get you the monetary damages you are owed.
According to the National Institutes of Health, stroke and spinal cord injuries are the two leading causes of paralysis in the United States. Both of these causes might have negligent behavior at their root. A seasoned Cambria County paralysis injury lawyer could review the circumstances that caused the paralysis and determine whether a family may pursue a negligence claim against another party.
Health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease could increase the risk of stroke. If a healthcare provider did not manage these conditions appropriately and a stroke resulted in paralysis, the patient might seek a medical malpractice claim against the healthcare provider.
Most spinal cord injuries happen in falls, motor vehicle accidents, workplace mishaps, and sports injuries. Such accidents are often the result of someone’s failure to use appropriate care. Depending on the circumstances, property owners, other drivers, product manufacturers, or additional parties might have contributed to an accident that leaves an individual paralyzed. The responsible individuals could be liable to pay damages.
Monetary damages in paralysis cases could make a tremendous difference in the injured person’s quality of life. Damages could pay for an electric wheelchair, an adapted vehicle, home renovations, and other items that make a paralyzed person’s day-to-day life easier. Compensation also could cover home health care, personal care aides, and other support that relieves the family of some caregiving responsibilities.
When an outrageously irresponsible or reckless act led to a paralytic injury, a judge could award punitive damages to a victim. For example, if a driver who is drunk or texting causes someone else a paralytic injury, it might be appropriate for a victim to seek punitive damages.
If the injured person’s lack of caution contributed to the accident, he or she could collect reduced damages in many circumstances. 42 P.S. § 7102 allows a plaintiff who is less than 51 percent responsible for an accident to claim damages from another negligent party.
Families who are attempting to adjust to the effects of paralysis have a lot on their plate, and they might delay considering legal action. However, an injured person has only two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit seeking damages. If he or she misses that deadline, he could lose the right to sue.
Sometimes a paralyzed person might have a claim against a government entity. For example, if a school bus was involved in an accident that led to the injury, the victim could have a case against the school district. Similarly, a fall on public property could lead to a claim against the government agency that owns the property.
When bringing a case against a unit of government, strict procedural rules apply. An injured person must file a notice explaining the claim within six months of the accident or lose the right to sue. An experienced Cambria County paralysis attorney could ensure that an injured client does not miss any critical deadlines.
Adjusting to a paralytic injury requires time, effort, and willpower. Worrying about the impact on your family’s finances is natural, but diverting focus away from your recovery is unwise.
Working with a knowledgeable Cambria County paralysis injury lawyer allows you to concentrate on your healing and adjustment while a professional works on getting you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free case review with a caring attorney at Marcus & Mack as soon as possible after your accident.
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