Paralysis is a life-altering condition that can have a devastating impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life. When an accident or act of negligence leads to paralysis, the injured person can sue the negligent parties for compensation.
These cases can be complicated, and working with an experienced catastrophic injury attorney is important. Phillips Law Group has been advocating for injured people in Flagstaff and the local area for over 30 years. We have the knowledge and skills to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your losses.
Understanding the Impact of Paralytic Injuries
Paralysis is an inability to move a part of the body. Sometimes, the person experiencing paralysis also loses sensation in the affected area.
Depending on the body part affected and the severity of the condition, paralysis can lead to secondary health impacts. For example, muscles in the paralyzed area can atrophy, and overuse of other muscles to compensate can cause pain and injury. When paralysis is caused by a spinal cord injury or other condition that prevents using the legs, the injured person might experience:
- Bedsores
- Pain and spasticity
- Sexual dysfunction
- No control over bladder and bowels
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Respiratory ailments
The secondary health effects of paralysis can shorten a person’s lifespan and greatly diminish their quality of life.
The psychological impact of paralysis can also be very severe. Paralyzed people might experience depression and anxiety. When paralysis results from an accident, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common. A compassionate Flagstaff attorney would ensure that a settlement or award amount addresses the mental injuries as well as the physical injuries in a paralysis injury claim.
Ways Negligence Can Cause Paralysis
According to an article published in the American Journal of Public Health, car, truck, motorcycle, bus, pedestrian, and other motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of paralysis. Violence and sports injuries are also common causes of paralysis in children and young adults. Among older adults, strokes and falls are the leading causes.
Negligence is behind many of the causes of paralysis. Medical errors, careless driving, and failure to maintain safe property conditions can lead to paralyzing incidents. Failing to appropriately supervise a children’s sports league or monitor a patient in a nursing home can also lead to injuries that cause paralysis.
Sometimes, an injured person bears some responsibility for the accident. Arizona Revised Statutes §12-2505 allows a negligent accident victim to collect partial damages from other negligent parties. Their damages will be reduced by a percentage, reflecting their degree of responsibility for the incident. A Flagstaff paralysis injury attorney will advocate to ensure that an injured person does not bear an outsized portion of the responsibility.
Seek Legal Counsel Immediately
An injury that causes paralysis is a catastrophic injury. Insurance companies for potentially responsible parties often try proactively settling with the injured person to avoid lawsuits and large jury verdicts.
It is critical for a paralyzed person to engage legal counsel as quickly as possible after their injury. A Flagstaff paralysis attorney can manage communication with the insurance company. Doing so spares the injured person and their family the stress of negotiations and helps ensure the responsible parties negotiate in good faith. Our team is not afraid to take matters to court to fight for what an injured person really needs.
Working with an attorney from the beginning also preserves all the injured person’s rights. For example, if a government agency has potential liability, an injured person must file a notice of claim soon after the incident or lose the right to sue. A legal professional can ensure all deadlines are met to preserve all possible sources of compensation.
Consult a Flagstaff Attorney After a Paralysis Injury
An accident that causes paralysis can shake a family to its core. Adjusting to life after a paralyzing event is challenging physically, emotionally, and financially.
Allow a Flagstaff paralysis injury lawyer to help. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group have decades of experience helping people in the community overcome catastrophic injuries like paralysis.
Reach out today to set up a free consultation with a member of our team. We are eager to help and will ensure you get the dedicated care you need and deserve.
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