Paraplegia and Paralysis: Lawsuits for Severe Spinal Cord Injury
The Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC is a leading law firm based in Oklahoma City, helping injury victims and their loved ones in their time of legal need. This kind of skilled litigation is especially important in spinal cord injury lawsuits, particularly when the incident causes paralysis.
Catastrophic injuries and spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. We'd like to go over the basics of paraplegia and why these cases need to be taken seriously.
About Paraplegia
Paraplegia refers to a condition in which a person cannot move or feel the lower extremities. This condition is permanent, meaning that, among other things, the injury victim will be wheelchair bound for the remainder of his or her life. While science and medical technology has made many strides in improving the life and livelihood of paraplegics, the road ahead is difficult and frustrating given the many limitations imposed on people following this sort of spinal cord injury.
What Can Cause Paraplegia?
Paraplegia is most often caused by severe spinal cord injuries from the mid-back region and lower. The location of the spinal cord injury will determine where the loss of movement and sensation begins.
Paraplegia may occur as the result any of the following:
- Auto accidents
- Serious slips and falls
- Medical/surgical errors
- Physical assaults
- Injuries in contact and combat sports
- Workplace injuries
Any time the back or spine is harmed in a collision, it's important that you seek immediate medical attention to determine the severity of the incident and the impact that it may have on the rest of your life.
Changes to Your Quality of Life
Paraplegia will lead to serious changes in your overall quality of life. Being wheelchair bound means major changes in the activities your are able to engage in. Simply getting around can be more difficult and more of a hassle, posing so many challenges that weren't present prior to the spinal cord injury.
Long-Term Effects on Your Life and Career
In some cases, paraplegia means that you will have to change your career trajectory. If you were an athletes or worked in a physically demanding job, for instance, you may not be able to pursue this line of work any longer. This means reorientation of your career path and long-term plans.
Lawsuits Over Spinal Cord Injuries
When a serious spinal cord injury is the result of negligence and it result in paralysis, it's not uncommon for people to file lawsuits against the party responsible for the injury. These lawsuits typically attempt to recover damages for lost wages, changes to quality of life, emotional hardships, and other factors related to the long-term effects of the injury.
Additional damages may be sought in particularly egregious accidents, such as auto collisions caused by drunk drivers, or workplace injuries at industrial sites that could have been prevented.
How Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Can Help
The legal system can pose a number of challenges to those unfamiliar with its numerous complexities. By teaming with an attorney, you can get the legal guidance you need to ensure successful results in your lawsuit. Our team will fight diligently for you and help you and your loved ones focus on recovery and wellness.
Speak with Our Team of Personal Injury Attorneys
To find out about your legal options after seriously injured, it's of the utmost importance that you contact our team of personal injury attorneys today. The lawyers of Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC are here for you and your loved ones.