Paralyzing accidents are considered catastrophic because they change the course of your life in the instant they happen. The emotional trauma can be a lot to deal with, especially if you did not cause your accident. The at-fault individual, or their insurer, should compensate you for what you lost.
Depending on the severity of your paralysis, you will need help to pay bills, replace lost wages, train for a different position, care for your family, and deal with psychological trauma. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can explain the types of paralysis and the compensation you could recover.
When a person sustains trauma to the back or neck, the body’s nervous system is disrupted below the point of the trauma. Normally, nerves send signals from the brain along the spine, commanding muscles to move. The point of trauma is a roadblock, preventing the signals from reaching the muscles. In some cases, the damage heals, and you can start to move that area again. In other cases, paralysis is permanent. Paralysis is categorized in the following ways:
Physicians also test patients for completeness of paralysis. If a patient has no feeling or movement below the injury, the paralysis is complete. If there is some feeling or movement, paralysis is incomplete. The attorneys at Kopfler and Hermann study the types of paralysis clients may be diagnosed with and attempt to reach a settlement agreement with insurers and, if necessary, file suit for the compensation you could recover.
Although some categories of compensation apply to all injured parties, such as economic losses for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages, the amounts will change depending on the category of paralysis. The same is true for non-economic damages, which include the emotional trauma of knowing your paralysis is permanent, future wages that will not be earned, loss of the enjoyment of life, suffering, and loss of consortium and counsel.
Compensation for medical care exceeds immediate medical treatment after an accident and covers the costs of lifelong care related to paralysis, prescription medication, durable medical equipment, physical therapy, and retrofitting a home and van to accommodate wheelchairs. Some retrofitting can also address no-lip showers, lowered kitchen cabinets, widened doorways and hallways, and ramps instead of steps.
Awards and settlements are based on the negligence of the party who caused the accident. All people have a duty of care to behave reasonably. If they breach that duty by behaving carelessly or recklessly, and causing an accident, people who are injured because of it are entitled to compensation. If the types of paralysis and the compensation you could recover are due to medical malpractice, including nursing home accidents, patients can be compensated through the Patient Compensation Fund, described under Louisiana law LSA RS 40:1231.4.
Life changes dramatically the moment a catastrophic accident occurs. If it happens to you, and you are paralyzed because of it, the attorneys at Kopfler and Hermann can push for the at-fault party to pay for your economic and non-economic losses.
Our goal is for you to regain some control over your life, with enough money to carry you into the future. No matter what type of paralysis you are experiencing, we want to help you recover all the compensation you deserve.
