If you’ve suffered any form of paralysis, adjusting to your new way of life can be challenging. You are probably faced with a financial burden involving the costs of long-term medical care, adaptive products, and therapeutic services, along with loss of income and other damages. You also might be dealing with the traumatizing effects of a serious accident and permanent injury. Paralysis affects 5.4 million people in the United States.
It is important to know that, if you become paralyzed because of another person’s negligence, you may be able to take legal action and seek compensation from the parties responsible for your accident and current condition. At Goza & Honnold, our dedicated Kansas City paralysis lawyers can review your case, protect your rights, and seek the compensation you deserve for the traumatic and irreversible damage you endured.
Leading Causes of Paralysis in Kansas City
Paralysis can sometimes be the result of an accident or traumatic event. These are frequently preventable accidents where drivers, business owners, property owners, or other liable parties have not acted reasonably. The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and falls
- Acts of violence
- Sports injuries
- Medical malpractice
If you were involved in a severe accident that resulted in paralysis, you will likely need intensive medical care, treatment, and equipment. Seeking compensation through legal action, and contacting one of our paralysis accident attorneys can be crucial to your future health and independence.
Understanding the Different Types of Paralysis
Paralysis is life-changing, and it may look different for each person affected. There are different types of paralysis based on the area where spinal damage occurred.
Different types of paralysis include:
- Diplegia: Paralysis affects the same area on both sides of the body.
- Hemiplegia: One side of the body (arm and leg) is affected.
- Monoplegia: Inability to move one limb (either arm or leg).
- Paraplegia: Both legs are affected and sometimes the torso.
- Quadriplegia: Also known as tetraplegia, quadriplegia affects all limbs, and there is little or no movement from the neck down.
Just as the types of paralysis vary, the symptoms and long-term effects of this condition may result in different experiences for each person. Generalized paralysis affects larger areas of the body, while localized paralysis affects one area of the body.
Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of Paralysis
Paralysis causes an inability to move and function normally, whether partially or entirely for the injured person. Depending on where the injury occurred in the spinal column, the severity and impact on the individual’s daily life will vary. For many people, living with paralysis can mean inability to control bladder, bowels, body temperature, or sexual function. Paralysis also often leads to serious changes to emotional and mental health. A paralyzed person might experience the following:
- Complete immobility of affected areas
- Skin breakdowns
- Increased risk of infections
- Decreased cardiovascular functions
- Decreased respiratory function
- Diminished mental and emotional health
As the years progress after the initial trauma, an injured person may go through many physical, mental, social, and emotional life changes. Many paralyzed individuals adapt to using wheelchairs, scooters, canes, driving assistive devices, and voice-activated technology to help them progress through their rehabilitation and new way of life. The medical costs of paralysis can add up quickly and often exceed the scope of health insurance. If you were paralyzed because of another party’s wrongdoing and negligence, a skilled Kansas City paralysis lawyer can help you understand your options for seeking just compensation.
Understanding the Components of Liability in a Personal Injury Negligence Case
Proving liability may seem difficult, especially if you are recovering from your injuries and adjusting to life with paralysis. If your loved one has suffered a traumatic accident, or if you have become paralyzed due to another person’s fault in a car accident, slip and fall, or other circumstance, our legal team may be able to help.
Components of liability in a personal injury negligence case include:
- Duty of care: The obligation for people to not cause harm to one another
- Breach of duty: There was a breach in the at-fault party’s duty of care.
- Causation: The breach in duty of care directly affected and caused your accident.
- Damage: The accident resulted in your losses, medical expenses, and other damage.
Types of compensation recovery in a paralysis case can include:
- Medical expenses, including current and future medical necessities
- Other economic losses, such as lost wages
- Non-economic damage, such as pain and suffering
Regardless of the kind of accident you endured, if there is a negligent party behind the cause of your accident, a skilled paralysis accident attorney in Kansas City can help you obtain the necessary proof, documentation, and research needed to pursue legal action. At Goza & Honnold, our Kansas City paralysis attorneys can evaluate your case and determine the best legal action needed to support you and your family. Don’t delay contacting a skilled legal professional when you have suffered from a serious accident.
Contact an Experienced Kansas Paralysis Lawyer at Goza & Honnold Today
At Goza & Honnold, our skilled paralysis attorneys in Kansas City have helped many clients after they’ve suffered traumatic accidents by thoroughly investigating their personal injury case and using our decades of experience to pursue any and all necessary legal action on their behalf. Contact us today to have an attorney begin reviewing your potential claim. You can schedule a free initial consultation by filling out a contact form or by calling (913) 451-3433.