A paralysis injury can occur after suffering a blow to the spinal cord or surrounding area that causes a disruption in nerve signals to muscles throughout the body. The extent of damage will depend on whether the cord sustains a partial or complete tear and where the injury occurs. Though, an injury to the spinal cord often leads to the temporary or permanent loss of muscle control throughout the body.
If you suffered this type of harm because of someone else’s negligence, call a Bellaire paralysis injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. A compassionate catastrophic injury attorney at Gutierrez Law Firm is prepared to help you seek comprehensive compensation for your losses.
Types and Symptoms of Paralysis Injuries
There are four primary types of paralysis, and those include the following:
Monoplegia
Monoplegia causes loss of function in one limb and can occur suddenly after a spinal cord injury. The condition may be permanent or temporary, depending on the severity of the trauma.
Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia causes complete or partial loss of sensation and function ability to the limbs on one half of the body. Hemiplegia is typically a result of a brain injury, and damage on the right side affects limbs and the right side, while damage on the left side affects limbs on the left side.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia often occurs after a spinal cord injury, affecting the body’s lower half. People with the condition often require a wheelchair, but quality medical care could help reduce the symptoms.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia is paralysis of all four limbs and can occur after a brain or spinal cord injury. The severity and location of the trauma will determine the function ability a person maintains.
Common Symptoms of Paralysis
Some of the most common symptoms of paralysis include the following:
- Inability to walk
- Loss of muscle function
- Numbness and chronic pain
- The loss of sensation in arms and legs
- Reduced or total loss of motor function
- Stiffness, twitching, and muscle spasms
A proactive Bellaire paralysis injury attorney could help gather the evidence necessary to prove the extent of damages a person suffered and demand a fair settlement amount.
The Shared Fault Rule
Paralysis injuries are costly, and the defendant or their insurance company will often assert the plaintiff is responsible for the accident or shares fault to minimize the settlement. Per the direction of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, the state follows the modified comparative negligence rule. Thus, if the civil court determines that the petitioner shares liability, they will calculate the award using the shared fault rule.
Under the statute, the claimant can collect damages from the defendant even if they share part of the fault as long as they are not 50 percent or more responsible. For example, if the judge and jury find that the plaintiff is 20 percent at fault, they can collect 80 percent of the total cost of damages. A knowledgeable paralysis injury lawyer in Bellaire could help calculate damages under the modified comparative negligence rule.
Call a Bellaire Paralysis Injury Attorney
A spinal cord injury can have a catastrophic effect on your life. They lead to severe physical, emotional, and financial damage and can restrict you from doing what you love the most. They are costly injuries that frequently lead to long-term or permanent disabilities.
When you suffer a severe injury because of another person’s negligence, you must hold them financially accountable. Call a hard-working Bellaire paralysis injury lawyer at Gutierrez Law Firm to schedule a free consultation to review your legal case.
