Spinal cord injuries and certain forms of brain damage can result in a person losing control and function in their limbs and body. Quadriplegia (paralysis below the neck or chest) and paraplegia (paralysis below the waist) are particularly tragic because they fundamentally change how you are able to live your life and interact with other people. Paralysis is often the result of car crashes, pedestrian accidents, falls from height, sports-related blunt trauma, or oxygen deprivation due to drowning. Medical malpractice may also be responsible in cases of surgical errors or mistakes made during the delivery of a child leading to birth injuries.
No matter the cause, the long-term impacts of paralysis can be devastating physically, emotionally, and financially. If you or a loved one have become paralyzed and another party’s negligence may be to blame, please reach out to the dedicated team at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. Having the right New York paralysis injury lawyer on your side can mean all the difference when it comes to getting the total compensation needed for medical and rehabilitation expenses, wage replacement, and other costs both now and potentially for a lifetime. Insurance companies know how much money is at stake in these cases and their goal is to reach a compromise settlement that is far less than you deserve. Our experienced attorneys can level the playing field.
See how we can help. As part of your free consultation, we’ll discuss your legal options and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about how best to proceed.
Common Causes of Spinal Paralysis
Generally, spinal cord injury results from a severe impact to the head, neck, or spine. Circumstances that can lead to spinal cord damage include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Falls
- Workplace injuries
- Sporting injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Defective products
When paralysis occurs as the result of a negligent act, a personal injury lawsuit could be the appropriate response. It is important to find the right attorney who can help you seek justice and to hold the other party accountable, as these cases are often highly contested due to the large amount of money damages being sought. Our firm is ready to fight deep-pocketed insurers to make sure you or your loved one receives the financial means necessary to cover the astronomical care costs and other expenses associated with long-term paraplegia, quadriplegia, and/or brain damage.
Paralysis Injuries Due to Negligence
To prove negligence in your spinal cord injury case, you will need to establish four unique elements. These elements include the following:
- Duty of care. For you to recover damages from another party due to your injuries, they must have owed you a duty of care at the time the injury occurred. For example, they could be a fellow motorist that owed you a duty to drive safely.
- Breach. In addition to establishing the duty of care, you must also show that the duty of care was breached by the other party. This generally involves the failure to meet the established duty of care. Continuing the example of a motor vehicle accident, the other party could have breached their duty by driving while intoxicated.
- Causation. Third, there must be some form of causation. This causal link between your paralysis and the breach of the duty of care is a vital part of any injury lawsuit.
- Damages. The final element of negligence is damages. You must sustain compensable damages in order to qualify for a monetary award in an injury case. Given the severity of paralysis injuries, it is usually straightforward to establish the need for compensation. Determining exactly what a case is worth can be more challenging.
Why Choose Friedman Levy to Handle Your Paralysis Injury Lawsuit
Having a knowledgeable and skilled injury attorney as your advocate gives you the best chance at a positive outcome. Some of the ways our firm can assist with your case include the following:
- Investigating the cause of your injury
- Determining if an insurance policy was in effect
- Developing a strong, evidence-rich argument for negligence
- Using expert witness to strengthen your case
- Compiling documents to establish your damages
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the responsible party and their insurer
- Taking your case to trial if necessary to get the compensation you deserve
Speak With Experienced Paralysis Injury Lawyers in NYC
If you have suffered paralysis due to the actions of another person, now is the time to seek legal counsel. Reach out to Friedman Levy as soon as possible for a free consultation with a New York paralysis injury lawyer.
