Catastrophic injuries from a motor vehicle crash or another type of accident may change your life forever. In the case of paralysis, it might be impossible for you to complete even the basic tasks necessary for self-care. If the negligent actions of others caused your injuries, contacting an Alexandria paralysis injury lawyer could be useful.
While you may not wish to be focused on finances and legal matters after suffering a catastrophic injury such as paralysis, it may be wise to consult a well-versed catastrophic injury attorney when planning for your future.
Understanding Paralysis
Paralysis could occur when an injury causes a loss of feeling or sensation in certain areas of the body. This may lead to a loss of function in a muscle or groups of muscles. Spinal cord injuries may lead to paralysis in all limbs and most of the body or may result in paralysis from the waist down. Paralysis could result in permanent incapacitation and make individuals completely unable to care for themselves.
The degree of paralysis arising out of a spinal cord injury often depends on the location of the damage to the spinal cord. Nerves in the upper spinal column control the upper part of the body, whereas nerves in the lower spinal column control the lower part of the body. The location of the damaged nerves typically determines which parts of the body and how much of the body is paralyzed.
Traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries and paralysis in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis also may result from a fall, a workplace accident, or recreational activities.
Whatever the case may be, persons who were injured due to the negligence of others may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. An Alexandria paralysis victim lawyer could help determine what compensation may be appropriate for paralysis injuries.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientProving Liability in Alexandria, LA Claims
Paralysis injury claims typically arise from negligence. This legal standard requires that claimants provide sufficient evidence to prove that their injuries directly and proximately resulted from the carelessness or negligence of others. If the potentially liable parties failed to live up to the standard of reasonable care required by this situation, they may be responsible for the costs of any resulting injuries.
Proving liability in a negligence case could be crucial for an injured person to get the compensation they need to offset lost income and support their ongoing medical needs. Hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, surgical expenses, and the costs of long-term care or home health care could result in thousands or even millions of dollars over time.
As many injured people are left unable to work in their previous professions, they may lack the income necessary to support themselves or pay their steadily rising medical bills. A plaintiff could seek legal advice from an Alexandria paralysis injury lawyer, following the accident.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientA Rapides Parish Paralysis Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Following your injury, you may decide to work with a paralysis attorney. When you work with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our team will:
- Handle any negotiations for you
- Gather evidence to prove your claims of negligence
- Communicate with insurers
- Update you on the details of your case
- Answer any questions you might have
- Help you reach a fair settlement that compensates you for your damages
We understand you are likely under a lot of stress after a paralysis injury. Our Alexandria, LA lawyers will support you throughout your case so you can focus on getting better.
Working With Our Paralysis Attorney is Affordable
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we know you probably have piling medical bills after suffering from a major injury like paralysis. Working with our team is affordable because we work on a contingency-fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay our firm any money upfront or out of pocket.
Your attorney will only get paid once your case has reached a fair settlement and you have been compensated. The fee your lawyer gets will be a percentage of your compensation. This can ease some of the financial worries you might have when it comes to seeking legal help.
We also offer free initial case evaluations. If you would like to ask any questions or speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Alexandria, you can do so for free.
Filing a Timely Lawsuit in Rapides Parish
Every state in the nation imposes time limits, called the statute of limitations, for filing different types of lawsuits. Louisiana requires personal injury plaintiffs to file a legal action within one year from the date of injury, under CC Art. 3492. Filing the case within the year is imperative. Otherwise, a defendant will almost certainly object, and the court will likely dismiss the case.
Our Alexandria, LA paralysis injury lawyer can help you file your lawsuit on time.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientTypes of Paralysis and Related Health Issues
In most cases of paralysis, head or spinal cord injuries interrupt the signals being sent to and from the brain, which prevents a victim from being able to move and/or feel parts of the body. Paralysis can either be partial –where the victim retains some movement or feeling in the affected area – or complete.
While paralysis can impact just one limb or one side of the body, paraplegia and quadriplegia are the most common. Paraplegia affects both legs and, for some victims, the torso. Quadriplegia impacts a victim’s arms and legs, as well as the trunk.
Some paralysis victims may experience problems with their heart, lungs, bladder, and bowels, as well as blood clots and pressure sores. Many victims also suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. A Rapides Parish paralysis injury attorney could help victims pursue compensation for such physical and mental suffering.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientPotential Compensation Available to Victims of Paralysis Injuries
Where a person either fails to exercise reasonable care or blatantly disregards known risks and causes another’s paralysis, victims in Rapides County may be entitled to compensatory – and in more limited cases, punitive – damages.
Compensatory Damages
This category of recovery includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages might include medical expenses, rehabilitation, present and future lost earnings, and damaged property. Non-economic damages typically include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, such as motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol, punitive damages may also be awarded in Rapides Parish paralysis injury lawsuits. Unlike compensatory damages which are meant to compensate victims for their losses, punitive damages are intended to punish defendants for wrongdoing.
Consulting an Alexandria Paralysis Injury Attorney
The aftermath of an accident that results in paralysis or other catastrophic injuries could be dire. You may be facing limitations that you never even considered before. The opportunity to obtain compensation for your losses with the assistance of an Alexandria paralysis injury lawyer may be invaluable.
An experienced lawyer can examine every detail of the circumstances that led to your paralysis and determine whether you are eligible for any form of relief. Call today for help determining your next steps.
