Ohio Paralysis Injury Attorney

Paralyzed After an Accident

Paralysis is the loss of body function due to an injury. These injuries consist of damage to your body’s central nervous system which is meant to transmit signals between your body parts including organs and the muscles that control your limbs.

The spinal column that starts at the base of your skull and runs down your back houses the most concentrated part of your nervous system outside of your brain. This consists of the spinal cord that is protected by bones called vertebrae which are held together by numerous muscles and cushioned by soft discs. Damage to your spinal column can not only result in broken bones and inflamed discs, but also tears to your spinal cord.

If you suffered a serious injury due to another’s negligence that left you paralyzed, you should speak with the Ohio injury lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick. You deserve to have an experienced attorney who can seek the maximum compensation possible. Call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Paralysis

While a neck, back, or head injury can result in terrible pain and suffering, if it is severe enough damage to the spine can also significantly impact your overall mobility. These injuries are extremely sensitive and often never fully heal. Some common accidents and incidents where paralysis is frequently seen include:

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Commercial Truck Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Slip and Falls
• Negligent Property Maintenance
• Negligent Security
• Medical Malpractice
• Bike Accidents
• Work Accidents

Paralysis Injuries

Depending on the severity of damage done to your spine, you may suffer from reduced or complete loss of control over your limbs or organs below the point of your injury. Unlike most other tissue, nerves do not heal well over time.

Damage to your spinal column can result in permanent injuries to your spinal cord that will impact you for life moving forward. Victims of paralysis can have complete or partial loss of sensation and movement ability to organs or limbs. These types of injuries are often described as the following:

Paraplegia

This is paralysis that affects your body from the waist down. You may have reduced or completely lost nervous control of your legs or pelvic organs.

Quadriplegia or Tetraplegia

Paralysis that affects the arms as well as legs and internal organs. This damage can partially or completely affect the body below the neck and will generally require the use of a wheelchair.

Paralysis Injuries from Car Accidents

There are virtually an infinite number of ways that you can be injured in a car accident. Damage to your skull, neck, or back can result in paralysis due to the damage sustained to nerve tissue.

Many people sustain nervous system damage even in accidents at low speeds, and in many cases where they are hit by cars as they travel on bikes or by foot. While every case is different, some of the most common causes of car accident paralysis injuries are:

• Lacerations to nerves – If your injury involves a puncture or laceration wound, you may have a partially or completely severed spinal cord.
• Crushing injury – A crushing impact to your spinal column can break your vertebrae and cause a rupture or laceration to your spinal cord.
• Deceleration impact – Often described as whiplash, a sudden deceleration or change of direction can cause painful damage to your spinal discs or even a tear on your spinal cord.

Legal Options for Paralysis Victims

It’s very common for victims to be uncertain about what they should do in the aftermath of a terrible car wreck or other accident. The most important thing you can do is make sure that you and your loved ones get the medical attention you need.

Ohio law allows you to seek damages from the negligent party, and for this reason, it is important to call a lawyer immediately. Do not accept a financial settlement without consulting a knowledgeable lawyer. An attorney will be your best resource in building a strong case and filing a claim for the compensation you’ll need.

Filing a Claim or Lawsuit for Paralysis

While you or your loved one’s paralysis injuries may be obvious, demonstrating that another party’s negligence as the cause can be challenging. Preexisting health issues, symptoms, medications, and medical treatments all play a role in pursuing a successful claim. Likewise, your case may require expert testimony from doctors and other medical professionals.

Holding Someone Liable for Paralysis

To establish liability, prove negligence, and ultimately have a successful paralysis claim you must meet the following elements:

• The other party had a duty of care toward you
• This duty was breached by a failure to act reasonably under similar circumstances
• The breach of this duty caused your paralysis
• You suffered harm that you can be compensated for

For instance, if you were paralyzed after a car accident, you and your lawyer will need to show that the other driver had a duty to follow the traffic laws, they breached this duty by driving recklessly, and you became paralyzed because of the collision. Finally, you’ll have to demonstrate that you suffered financial and other harm in connection to your injuries. This could be your extensive medical bills, inability to work, or otherwise live as you did prior to being paralyzed.

Compensation for Paralysis

Depending on the severity and other factors involved, you may be able to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages associated with being paralyzed. Whether your paralysis is from a car crash, a construction site accident, or some other traumatic event, you may be entitled to your:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium

KNR Can Help File Your Claim

Kisling, Nestico, & Redick has considerable experience successfully representing clients and family members suffering from paralysis caused by negligence.

At KNR our attorneys will:

• Answer your questions and concerns
• Keep you updated during all stages of the process
• Obtain medical records about the extent of your paralysis
• Identify the responsible party
• Determine the fair and full value of your damages
• Negotiate for maximum compensation
• Fight for everything you deserve in court if necessary

Consider the Long-Term Cost of Paralysis

Suffering from a head or neck injury can be incredibly painful and requires immediate medical attention. Your doctors may have to perform invasive surgery in the hours or days after your accident. While your medical bills can quickly get out of control, they might not be the only expenses that you face.

Many injured people will need medical attention for years after a wreck, and your mobility might forever be reduced. Your injuries can require changes to your everyday life. Having a skilled lawyer can make sure that you recover all the compensation that you will need as a result of your car accident.

The insurance companies involved in your case will want to pay you as little as possible for your damages, and they will want to end your catastrophic injury case quickly. However, our lawyers have decades of negotiating and trial experience and are ready to take your case to court if you are not offered the financial help you need.

Paralysis Injury Claims Have Time Limits

Ohio’s statute of limitations law can prevent you from filing a lawsuit for damages caused by an accident if more than two years have gone by. Your lawyer will have to investigate every detail of your case to identify who was responsible and to determine the complete scope of your damages. For this reason, it’s very important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after suffering from a catastrophic injury.

Contact a Paralysis Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one are suffering from paralysis because of an accident that was not your fault, contact the Ohio injury lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick today. Call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free, no-obligation consultation.