A paralysis injury can take what was once routine, like walking across the room or hugging a loved one, and make it difficult, or even impossible. In addition to these physical limitations, paralysis often brings lifelong emotional trauma, ongoing medical needs, and overwhelming financial pressure on the entire family.
When a spinal cord injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, the injured party can pursue compensation for their losses under state law. But these cases are medically complex, heavily defended, and often have difficult liability hurdles, making experienced legal guidance from a catastrophic injury attorney essential. A Fresno paralysis injury lawyer can make a significant difference throughout this process.
Paralysis occurs when an injury (typically to the spinal cord) severs communication between the brain and body. This damage is often based on the location of the injury and can affect things such as movement or sensation.
Doctors categorize paralysis as either paraplegia, quadriplegia, or partial paralysis. With paraplegia, the injured person has lost movement or feeling in the lower half of their body. Quadriplegia applies when there is a loss of function in both arms and legs, as opposed to partial paralysis, which refers to limited mobility or sensation that may improve over time.
These injuries can be life-changing events that bring with them challenges beyond the physical. Treatment and rehabilitation can last years, adding financial stress on top of everything else. A Fresno lawyer can help you clearly document your losses to strengthen your injury claim.
Every situation is unique, but many paralysis injuries are a result of someone failing to act with reasonable care. Some of the more common causes include:
Just because someone was negligent does not mean they intended to cause harm to anyone. Many times, it is the result of poor maintenance or lack of proper safety procedures, but when that carelessness causes lasting harm, including paralysis, the law provides ways to hold the responsible party accountable. Rather than try to recover compensation on your own, trust the paralysis injury lawyers at Dunnion Law in Fresno, who have more than 300 years of combined legal experience.
Paralysis injuries can completely change the course of a person’s life. California recognizes this and allows the injured party to recover for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
Unlike many other states, California does not place a cap on damages in most personal injury cases. This allows the compensation to reflect the full scope of what was lost because of the injury.
This state also follows pure comparative negligence, meaning that damages are reduced if the injured party is found partially responsible for their accident. The reduction is proportional to the amount of responsibility, and there is no cap on this doctrine. This means that even if the person injured is 92 percent responsible, they can still recover 8 percent of their damages. Our paralysis injury attorneys in Fresno can review the specific facts of your case, determine who is liable for your injuries, and work to reduce your liability if the insurance company tries to shift blame.
It takes strength, patience, and constant support to adjust to life after a paralysis injury. Though the legal system cannot undo what happened, it does provide resources to hold the responsible parties accountable. Still, this process is not always easy or simple, and it should not be faced alone.
If you or someone you care about has suffered a paralysis injury because of someone else’s negligence, consider contacting a Fresno paralysis injury lawyer at Dunnion Law today. You deserve to focus on treatment and recovery, not tracking down evidence and negotiating with insurance companies. We can explain your rights and options, and guide you through each and every step. With over 50 years of experience, we have the skills and resources you need to build the strongest claim possible and receive fair compensation.
