Paralysis is one of the most severe, permanent conditions that could result from a catastrophic injury. These injuries can have a significant impact on every aspect of your life. In addition to the physical challenges you might face, there are also financial and emotional factors to consider. If these injuries occur due to the careless or reckless acts of another person, financial compensation might be possible.
Given what is at stake with paralysis, you could benefit from discussing your situation with a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney. A Charlottesville paralysis injury lawyer could work tirelessly to investigate your claim and pursue compensation on your behalf.
When it comes to paralysis, these injuries are generally categorized by the parts of the body they impact. Paralysis causes a partial or complete loss of motor control and physical sensation, but this occurs in different parts of the body. Understanding the nature of an injury can come from a discussion with an attorney who has experience handling paralysis injury cases in Charlottesville.
The first type of paralysis is known as monoplegia, and it is very uncommon. It impacts a single part of the body, typically an arm or a leg. These injuries occur following nerve impingement or injury.
Hemiplegia is another rare type of paralysis, and its causes are similar to those of monoplegia. Hemiplegia involves the paralysis of the arm and leg on the same side of the body. While this can occur due to nerve injuries, the condition is primarily associated with cerebral palsy.
Paraplegia is a form of paralysis that impacts the body below the waist. It typically limits a person’s ability to use his or her legs and is often caused by neck or back injuries. In most cases, paraplegia is permanent.
Quadriplegia represents the most severe type of paralysis injury. Typically resulting from a head or neck injury, quadriplegia is the loss of use of the body from below the neck.
To recover monetary compensation after a paralysis injury accident in Charlottesville, an experienced attorney must demonstrate that the victim has suffered compensable damages. These damages could come in many forms.
In general, the damages in a paralysis injury lawsuit come in two broad categories. These categories include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the quantifiable losses that come with an injury. Any cost that could be measured by a bill or an invoice is a form of economic damages. Examples of these losses include lost wages, hospital bills, or home renovations to accommodate a wheelchair.
Non-economic damages cover the damages from a paralysis injury that are subjective in nature. These losses do not have a firm value that could be reflected in a bill or invoice. The most common example is pain and suffering compensation.
There are specific requirements individuals must meet for a Virginia civil court to award him or her damages in an injury claim. The injured party and his or her local attorney must successfully prove four elements of negligence to show the responsible party was at fault.
Every person owes a certain duty of care to act in a reasonable and responsible manner. In your claim, you must establish that a legal duty of care existed before moving to the second element of negligence.
Once you establish duty in a civil trial, you must prove that the defendant breached his or her duty to you. The type of negligence case the defendant decides to file will establish whether you must prove the breach passes an objective or subjective test in court.
Another element you and your legal representation must prove is that the breach caused your injuries. In other words, you must prove causation.
The last step your team must prove to collect damages and compensation in a civil case is your injuries. You must have evidence to demonstrate to the court that you sustained injuries or loss directly because of the accident. This loss can be physical, economic, or both. An attorney could prepare your paralysis injury case and help you prove the four elements needed for a successful claim in Charlottesville.
Code of Virginia § 8.01-243 provides two years after an injury for individuals to come forward. If an injured party misses the deadline to file for damages, he or she may not have the opportunity to collect the compensation they would otherwise be entitled to.
A lawyer in Charlottesville could help you file the paralysis lawsuit within the court’s required time limits as long as you seek representation as soon as possible after sustaining the injury.
When negligence results in a paralysis injury, the result could be a significant financial settlement. In many cases, the injured party might recover money to pay for their hospital bills and compensate them for their suffering.
You could pursue a similar recovery with the help of a Charlottesville paralysis injury lawyer. To discuss your options in person, set up an initial consultation at the Warren Firm right away.
