Paralysis resulting from a sudden event like an accident is life-changing. Any party whose negligence contributed to your injuries could be liable to pay for your damages. In most circumstances, you have only a short time to bring a lawsuit, so swift action is essential.
When you are dealing with preventable paralysis, contact a local catastrophic injury attorney immediately. Damages from a personal injury claim could ensure you receive the care you need and that you have the resources to live a full life despite your injury. Please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with a Phoenix, AZ paralysis injury lawyer from Phillips Law Group to begin reviewing the details of your situation.
Causes of Paralyzing Injuries
Paralysis can occur in many ways, with accidents resulting in head and spinal cord injuries being a top contributing factor. Electrocution, smoke inhalation, and some medical emergencies can also lead to an injured person having permanent difficulty moving or controlling their limbs.
Common scenarios that could lead to paralysis include:
Regardless of the cause of paralysis, our Phoenix, Arizona attorneys can review the incident, determine whether another party’s negligence was a factor, and gather the evidence needed to prove their liability.
Damages Can Help a Person Adapt After a Paralysis Injury
Adapting to paralysis is a process that often requires ongoing and expensive medical intervention and support. Health insurance policies often have a lifetime benefits cap, and the cost of treatment for a paralyzing injury could reach this limit quickly.
Damages from the negligent parties could ensure a paralyzed person gets the care they need and can live comfortably despite their injury. This compensation covers out-of-pocket expenses and provides funds to make up for the injured person’s diminished earning capacity. Damages also include monetary awards to acknowledge the injury’s negative effects on the person’s quality of life.
In certain circumstances, when a Phoenix attorney can prove an Arizona resident someone acted intentionally — or recklessly disregarded the likelihood of injury — an injured person might receive punitive damages, which are intended to punish the responsible party and deter others from similar behavior. For example, a court might award punitive damages if an impaired driver with a record of DUIs caused an accident that led to paralysis.
Understanding the Role of Comparative Negligence
The injured person’s conduct is often an issue when they seek damages after an accident. If their behavior was a factor in causing the incident or their conduct aggravated their injury, they cannot collect 100 percent of their damages.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505 applies “comparative negligence” to accident claims, which means that an injured person can hold others responsible for their actions even when the injured person is partially at fault. The court will allocate responsibility for an incident among all involved parties on a percentage basis. If the court finds a person claiming damages is partially to blame, they are responsible for that percentage of their damages and cannot collect it from other parties. For example, a person who is 20 percent responsible for a diving accident that left them paralyzed could collect only 80 percent of their damages.
Our trusted Phoenix, AZ attorneys can explain how comparative negligence might affect a specific paralysis injury claim during a private consultation with a member of our team.
Work With a Phoenix, AZ Paralysis Injury Attorney for Compassionate Guidance
Adapting to a paralyzing injury requires patience, fortitude, and hard work. It is wise to direct your energy toward healing while a legal professional manages your claim for damages.
A Phoenix, AZ paralysis injury lawyer from our firm could provide the skilled representation you need to get the compensation you deserve. As trusted local advocates for over 30 years, the team at Phillips Law Group is prepared to take action for you. Call today to get started.