An accident could change an individual’s life in an instant. When an individual becomes paralyzed due to the negligent actions of another, it could be difficult to perform daily activities. It may be difficult to walk, move, and eat without the assistance of another.
If you or a loved one were catastrophically injured due to the negligent actions of another, you might benefit from legal assistance. An experienced Rolla paralysis injury lawyer could help you seek compensation from the party who caused your harm. A knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorney at the A.W. Smith Law Firm could review your case and advocate on your behalf.
There are various types of paralysis injuries which affect different parts of the body. Depending on the severity of the injury, injured claimants may be eligible to recover compensation for present and future medical care.
One of the degrees that paralysis is measured by is whether the victim is incompletely or entirely paralyzed. Partial or incomplete paralysis occurs when a victim still has some measure of feeling or control over the paralyzed muscles. The brain is still able to send a message to the spinal cord and muscle regions, even if the movement is faint.
Complete paralysis is the total loss of control or sensation in the paralyzed muscles. The brain has lost the functional ability to communicate and send signals to and from the area of injury.
When spastic paralysis occurs, someone’s muscles between to tighten and spasm uncontrollably, in some cases causing extreme pain. The lack of control over the muscle twitching is the key indicator for spastic paralysis. The brain is unable to stop the muscles from hardening and twitching. Flaccid paralysis is a type of paralysis that causes the muscles to weaken and lose muscle tone. Flaccid paralysis is caused by a disease or trauma that damages the nerves responsible for controlling and maintaining healthy muscles.
Local and generalized paralysis relate to the location and range in which the paralysis affects the victim’s body. Local paralysis affects a single body part, such as the face or foot. Bell’s palsy is an example of local paralysis, temporarily paralyzing part of or the entirety of a victim’s face.
Generalized paralysis affects more than one body part. Quadriplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, diplegia, and monoplegia are all forms of paralysis that affect one or both of the arms and legs.
Many incidents and conditions could cause a paralyzing injury. Depending on the cause, intentional or negligent, the plaintiff may be able to seek personal injury damages. Missouri Revised Statutes §516.120 gives personal injury plaintiffs five years from the injury-causing accident to file their case. Failure to file on time would likely result in losing the right to sue in court.
Paralysis plaintiffs in Rolla may seek property, economic, non-economic, and punitive damages that result from the accident. Economic damages might include out-of-pocket expenses or lost wages, while non-economic damages could cover nonmonetary losses such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. Punitive damages would only be appropriate if the defendant’s conduct that caused the injury rose above ordinary negligence, and the court felt that it was necessary to punish the defendant for their actions to deter them from committing their harmful acts.
When you are suffering from a challenging condition such as paralysis, the last thing you want to worry about is how you are going to get relief. The filing process, deadlines, negotiations, and all of the other processes that go into filing a personal injury case could be more manageable with a legal professional in your corner.
You could rest assured knowing a dedicated Rolla paralysis injury lawyer is fighting for you and your recovery. Our dedicated legal team at the A.W. Smith Law Firm are ready to take on your case. Schedule a consultation today.
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