Components of a DC Paralysis Claim

Paralysis is the loss of function of body parts. A paraplegic is someone who cannot use their body below their waist and quadriplegic is someone who cannot use their body below the neck. The common causes of paralysis tend to be accidents and illnesses. One of the important components of a DC paralysis claim is identifying the type of the paralysis a person has and what caused the injury. A competent paralysis lawyer could guide an individual through the claims process and help them recover the damages that they deserve.

Different Types of Paralysis

Paralysis is a catastrophic injury. A catastrophic injury case can involve a car collision, trip and fall accident, a construction accident, and medical malpractice.

Two types of paralysis are paraplegia and quadriplegia. Paraplegia is the inability to use one’s body below the waist and quadriplegia is the inability to use one’s body below the neck. The physical manifestation of paralysis is no ability to move a certain area.

Common Injuries Leading to Paralysis

When someone falls from a significant height, that can cause paralysis. When a building collapses on someone, that can cause paralysis. Paralysis can occur when someone has a major fall when a building collapses, or someone is hit by a car. 

Work-related injuries result in paralysis in a small percentage of accidents. Most of the time, a workplace injury does not result in paralysis.

If not treated properly, a disc impinging on the spinal cord can result in paralysis over time. There must be a situation that over time causes a paralysis. An example is where someone has an epidural injection in their spinal cord and their spinal cord liquid leaks out resulting in paralysis.

Coping Mechanisms for Those With Paralysis

Coping mechanisms vary depending on the person. People with paralysis may try to compensate by doing more with what they are still able to do. Others with paralysis become horribly depressed and must seek mental counseling to deal with the loss of use of the portion of the body. 

Steps to Take Following a Paralysis Injury

When a person sustains an injury that causes paralysis, they should seek medical treatment. A person seeking medical treatment for paralysis should go to a medical facility such as Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown Hospital, or George Washington that has the resources necessary to completely and thoroughly treat the conditions that are present then.

Evidence in Paralysis Cases

One of the most important components of a DC paralysis claim is the evidence, which is why a catastrophic injury lawyer begins preparing for a paralysis case by collecting information. Evidence includes:

  • Accident reports
  • Witness testimony
  • Medical records
  • Employment records
  • Vocational experts
  • Rehabilitation experts
  • Economists 

The lawyer must obtain a full picture of the way the person looked before the accident and the way they are living as result of the accident.

The lawyer obtains the bills and medical records associated with the accident and creates a comprehensive care plan including the economic ramifications of the same. They put together all the information and presents it. The role of the plaintiff in gathering or presenting the evidence is a minor one to the extent that they know of witnesses and the names of their doctors. 

Determining Liability in Paralysis Cases

Liability is determined in the same way as any other case. The lawyer establishes that the party being sued is negligent and their negligence is the approximate cause of the paralysis. When liability is placed on the injured party in DC, they are not able to recover because DC is a contributory negligence jurisdiction with certain exceptions.

Negligence can play a role in causing paralysis through medical malpractice, a car accident, or when someone fails to remedy an unsafe condition at a worksite.

Benefit of a DC Paralysis Injury Attorney

A person who is paralyzed has to make major changes to their life. They want to make sure to work with an attorney who has the experience and resources needed to maximize their recovery. The role of the catastrophic injury lawyer is to maximize their recovery and zealously advocate for the injured party.

Once the person hires a lawyer, the accident victim should focus on healing. A lawyer could obtain the information they need to start building a person’s claim. The person should keep a list of their doctors’ names, and provide their insurance information, and tax returns along with any witness information they may have. If an individual wants to know more about the different components of a DC paralysis claim, they should speak with a skilled paralysis lawyer that could answer their questions and advocate for them.