Paralysis
Dedicated San Francisco Personal Injury Attorneys
For decades, our San Francisco personal injury lawyers at The Matiasic Firm have represented injured clients. We are passionate about holding individuals responsible for negligence or recklessness. If you have suffered partial or complete paralysis because of someone else’s actions, our firm will use effective legal strategies to walk you through the process. We will aggressively seek justice for your case and handle any legal issue that may arise. Contact our team today to put a fierce legal advocate on your side.
Types & Causes of Paralysis
Paralysis occurs when you lose the muscle function in parts of your body. It can be partial or complete, affecting one or both sides of your body. Paraplegia refers to paralysis that affects only your lower extremities. You will still be able to move your hands and arms, but you will be unable to move or feel your feet or legs. On the other hand, quadriplegia is paralysis of your whole body. You will not be able to use either your arms or legs.
Common causes of paralysis include:
- Nerve diseases
- Spinal cord injuries
- Strokes
- A broken neck
- Other trauma to the neck or spinal cord
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of paralysis. Your spinal cord controls the nerves that send signals from your limbs to your brain. If this is damaged in a crash or by nerve disease, your ability to feel sensations and move your arms and legs may be impaired. In some cases, paralysis is temporary.
How Paralysis Could Affect Your Life
Unlike other injuries, which can be treated with surgeries, physical therapy, and medication to help the patient recover, paralysis has severe and lifelong results. It renders a person incapable of doing everyday tasks, and requires intensive 24/7 care for the rest of the patient’s life. While people who are only temporarily paralyzed could heal within a matter of weeks or months, those who are completely and permanently paralyzed will have a much harder time adjusting to a new lifestyle.
Paralysis often results in the loss of quality of life. Victims are not able to enjoy the things they once loved to do, and many patients face depression from their disability. Furthermore, patients are not able to maintain gainful employment. This could result in a difficult financial situation. Not only do medical bills pile up, but the general cost of living also increases. Making your home and vehicle wheelchair accessible, installing special equipment to make life easier to manage, and implementing other useful tools can be expensive. Thus, becoming paralyzed can decrease a person’s quality of life and cause long-term financial hardship.
Pursue Compensation from Those Responsible
Negligent drivers and healthcare professionals must be held accountable for causing your injury. Our team will use evidence, including witness statements, medical records, and other documentation, to prove the negligence of the responsible party. We will work hard to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty of care, and directly caused your injuries.
You may be able to receive a settlement for:
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages
Depending on the situation, you may also receive punitive damages. These are designed to punish the defendant for egregious or reckless behavior. For example, if you were injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to punitive damages.
The Matiasic Firm Is Here to Help
The Matiasic Firm is dedicated to providing efficient representation on behalf of injured clients. We have guided numerous clients to successful legal solutions. If you or a loved one have suffered a catastrophic injury or paralysis from someone else’s careless actions, we will use thorough preparation and tailored legal strategies for your case. Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers are passionate about helping clients seek justice.
Contact our office today to receive a free initial case evaluation.