Paraplegia and quadriplegia lawyers

Paraplegia or quadriplegia injuries can be among the worst possible outcomes of an accident. These serious injuries are often permanent, and victims will typically require life-long intensive medical care. These cases can be exceedingly complex and require the assistance of a paraplegia or quadriplegia lawyer.

Spinal injuries can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia. These include injuries to the vertebrae, spinal cord, or surrounding ligaments. The spinal cord is vital to the functioning of the entire body, as it links the brain to the rest of the body’s central nervous system.

Thus, if you suffer a spinal cord injury, you may lose sensation, the ability to move, and control of critical bodily functions. These functions may include bowel movements, sexual function, and breathing.

If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s vital to seek legal counsel to recover damages that can help you move on after your injury. At The Smith Law Center, a quadriplegia lawyer can help put you back on track toward a better quality of life. Contact us at (757) 244-7000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

What is the Difference Between Paraplegia and Quadriplegia?

Both paraplegia and quadriplegia are severe, life-changing conditions. There are several differences between the two, which are discussed in detail below.

Paraplegia
Paraplegia affects the lower extremities of a victim. It happens when a spinal cord injury occurs at the thoracic level or below. Such injuries may either be complete or incomplete.

A complete spinal cord injury is permanent and irreversible. In comparison, incomplete spinal cord injuries may cause temporary paralysis that can improve in time. However, even victims who suffer an incomplete spinal cord injury may never again regain normal use of their legs.

Paraplegia due to spinal cord injury also affects abdominal muscles. Patients diagnosed with paraplegia often lose the ability to move and stretch their torso. Car accident victims who lose control of their abdominal muscles may also suffer from incontinence and lose sexual function. Spinal cord paraplegia may cause chronic pain and low blood pressure.

Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia is also known as tetraplegia, a type of paralysis that affects a victim’s arms and legs. Severe injuries to the spinal cord can result in quadriplegia or tetraplegia.

Quadriplegia is more serious than paraplegia because the victim has no control over their limbs or torso. Injuries that occur higher in the neck may be deadly and can require a wrongful death lawsuit.

Victims can lose control over their breathing and may need to be on a ventilator for the rest of their lives. Patients with quadriplegia often need full-time care for 24 hours a day. This may also be the case for patients who have paraplegia.

Paraplegia and quadriplegia are distinct and are associated with different needs. They are both life-altering injuries that typically require the assistance of a lawyer to obtain the appropriate damages award to cover long-term costs.

What Types of Damages Can a Quadriplegia Lawyer Help Obtain?

Lawsuits involving paraplegia or quadriplegia can result in a substantial damages award that can compensate the victim for their losses. Each case outcome varies, but such compensation can cover:

• Hospital bills
• Costs of surgery and rehabilitation
• Medical expenses not normally covered by insurance, such as additional therapy or alternative treatments
• Home and vehicle accommodations, such as wheelchair ramps
• Lost wages, since the patient will likely miss extended periods of work while recovering
• Loss of an ability to generate income in the future, especially if the person can no longer perform their previous duties
• Pain and suffering

One of the most challenging aspects of a spinal cord injury case is predicting the cost of future medical needs your loved one will require. An injury lawyer will make those calculations based on known formulas, which often involve lifetime treatment costs.

Contact a qualified quadriplegia lawyer at The Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000. We have the experience needed to handle complex injury cases.

Why Spinal Cord Injury Claims Are Complicated?

If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to another person’s fault, it may be a difficult fight for justice. Often, you may need a highly specialized medical team to diagnose and treat your injuries. From the outset, your medical bills start piling up.

Victims of spinal cord injuries face critical medical needs. They can remain for months in the hospital while evidence from the crash scene disappears and recollections fade. People who suffer paralysis face many months in a costly rehabilitation center.

Even after being released from the hospital, the ordeal is not over. People affected by a spinal cord injury may require adaptive equipment and home renovations to be able to live away from a hospital. They may lose their ability to perform essential functions like walking, which can drastically affect other areas of life, especially work.