Boston Paralysis Injury Lawyer
As one of the worst injuries a person can suffer, paralysis not only affects the body, but it can also impact a person’s mind and emotions. Some damages such as medical expenses and lost wages may be easy to calculate. However, other damages that stem from paralysis injuries such as physical pain and emotional distress are harder to quantify. The effects of a paralysis injury are life-altering. It can be difficult for those who suffered a paralysis injury to know how to proceed.
Accordingly, victims who have suffered a spinal cord injury should reach out to a Boston paralysis injury lawyer for assistance. A qualified catastrophic injury attorney could help you seek compensation if your injuries were caused by the negligent or intentional acts of another party.
Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 977-6647 for a free consultation with our Boston paralysis injury lawyers about your claim.
Damages Available in a Boston Paralysis Injury Case
A lawsuit is a formal demand for an allegedly negligent party or entity to financially compensate the filing plaintiff for the damages he or she caused the plaintiff to suffer. a successful lawsuit resolves with a private settlement or a court verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Unlike some states, Massachusetts does not have limits to the amount of compensation a plaintiff can receive, unless the injuries were caused by medical malpractice, a charitable institution or a governmental entity such as a city or town, the state or state agency such as the MBTA.
A Boston paralysis injury attorney could seek compensation on behalf of the plaintiff for a variety of different damages. Economic damages can include:
- Medical costs such as emergency care, hospital admission, and surgery
- Ongoing medical costs such as prescriptions and therapy
- Lost wages
- Modifications to the plaintiff’s home to accommodate his or her new physical needs
Non-economic damages may include:
- Lost quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Qualified legal counsel could help victims take stock of their damages to ensure they are all factored into a settlement demand, as well as help them keep track of their economic damages.
Many states allow civil courts to award punitive damages in paralysis injury cases, in addition to any economic or non-economic damages the plaintiff requests. Unfortunately, no matter how negligent or intentional an act was, Massachusetts does not allow for punitive damages in almost any paralysis injury case, excepting those that stem from medical malpractice.
Types of Paralysis
Paralysis is the temporary or permanent inability to move a part of the body. Paralysis is typically caused by nerve damage, resulting in four general types of paralysis. The body’s reaction to paralysis will depend on the type of paralysis suffered. Our Boston paralysis injury lawyers can offer assistance to individuals who have suffered any of the following paralysis injuries because of an accident:
Monoplegia
Monoplegia is a paralysis of a single area in the body, usually one limb. Patients who suffer from monoplegia typically have control over the rest of their body but cannot move or feel sensations in one specific limb. The following are common causes of monoplegia:
- Tumors
- Strokes
- Brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Nerve impingement
Monoplegia can either be a temporary or permanent condition. Temporary monoplegia is particularly common while a patient is recovering from a brain injury.
Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is a form of paralysis that affects an arm and leg on the same side of a body. Degrees of paralysis associated with hemiplegia vary from person to person and can change over time. However, patients suffering from hemiplegia often experience varying degrees of functionality from day to day in their affected limbs. Hemiplegia may escalate from a “pins and needles” sensation to muscle weakness and, eventually, total paralysis.
Hemiplegia can be confused with hemiparesis. Hemiparesis is used to describe a weakness on one side of the body. Although hemiparesis may serve as a precursor to hemiplegia, they are not quite the same.
The most common cause of hemiplegia is cerebral palsy. However, other conditions, such as spinal cord injuries and brain injuries can also cause hemiplegia. Those who developed hemiplegia because of an injury may contact our Boston paralysis injury lawyers for help with their claim.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is used to refer to a form of paralysis that occurs below the waist, typically affecting both legs. Other functions such as sexuality can also be affected by paraplegia. Paraplegia can be permanent or temporary. Furthermore, patients with paraplegia may experience varying degrees of functionality in their affected limbs from day to day. The following are common causes of paraplegia:
- Brain tumors
- Brain infections
- Spinal cord infections
- Spinal cord lesions
- Oxygen deprivation
- Stroke
- Nerve damage at the hips or waist
Paraplegia can be caused by a variety of injuries. Our Boston paralysis injury lawyers can help retrieve compensation for victims who suffer from paraplegia because of an injury.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia, sometimes referred to as tetraplegia, describes paralysis below the neck. For a quadriplegic patient, all four limbs and their torso are usually paralyzed. As with other types of paralysis, though, the degree of functionality in the paralyzed body parts may vary from day to day. The following are common sources of quadriplegia:
- Loss of oxygen to the brain or spinal cord
- Spinal and brain tumors
- Spinal and brain lesions
- Spine and brain injuries
- Stroke
- Congenital abnormalities
- Serious allergic reactions
- Drug or alcohol overdoses
However, quadriplegia can result from a variety of accidents. Accident victims who developed quadriplegia can contact our Boston paralysis injury lawyers for help with their case.
Accidents that Cause Paralysis Injuries
There are several types of accidents that can cause paralysis injuries. Different types of injuries may cause different types of paralysis. Although, each form of paralysis is still accompanied by a great deal of physical hardship and emotional distress. The following are some types of accidents that can lead to paralysis injuries in Boston:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Defective product injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Pedestrian accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
Therefore, there are many forms of accidents that can lead to paralysis injury. These types of accidents happen every day. Victims of these accidents who suffered a paralysis injury can contact our Boston paralysis injury lawyers for help determining the validity of their potential claim.
What to Do After a Potential Paralysis Injury in Boston
Injuries to the back, neck, and head are the most frequent locations that cause paralysis injuries. The moments after someone suffers such an injury can be hectic and stressful. It is important for individuals that may be able to help the victim know what to do after a potential paralysis injury. The following are steps to follow if someone suffers a back, neck, or head injury.
- Refrain from moving the injured person to avoid worsening the injury
- Call 911 so a dispatcher may send emergency medical services
- Place heavy towels on each side of the injured person’s neck to keep them still
- Attempt to stop any bleeding
Each of these steps can help prevent a paralysis injury or keep a paralysis injury from worsening. After addressing the injury, our Boston paralysis injury lawyers can help accident victims seek compensation for any type of paralysis injury.
What to Do If More than One Party Caused Your Boston Paralysis Injury
The law recognizes that in some paralysis injury cases, more than one party may be at fault. a paralysis injury lawyer in Boston could work to determine who should be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. If a seasoned Boston paralysis injury attorney finds that multiple parties are liable, they may all be named.
Multiple defendant liability is defined in Massachusetts General Laws §231B to include both joint and several liability. Under several liability, the compensation owed to the plaintiff is divided equally among the tortfeasors. If one party settles with the plaintiff, the settlement amount reduces what the other tortfeasors owe.
How No-Fault Coverage Works for Paralysis Injuries in Boston
Many different types of scenarios could lead to paralysis, ranging from an unpreventable accident to an employer, worker, or third party’s own mistake. These include but are not limited to:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falling machinery
- Assaults
Regardless of whether an employer was at fault for a paralysis injury, however, the law in Massachusetts states that at-work injuries could be compensable under the workers’ compensation system. This is called no-fault coverage, which applies to all workers’ comp insurance plans in Boston. an experienced attorney should be familiar with the nuances of the workers’ compensation system in Boston and could help you understand your rights after a paralysis injury.
After a successful claim is filed, workers’ comp benefits will provide compensation to pay for medical treatments. However, the insurance company may disagree as to how much compensation is needed to reimburse the employee for lost future earning potential. Often, the Department of Industrial Accidents would decide the case on appeal.
What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Claim?
Paralysis occurs because of an injury to the section of the nervous system that controls the relevant bodily functions. This typically includes damage to the spinal cord or a portion of the brain. Unfortunately, there is currently no way to reverse the effects of a paralyzing injury.
As a result, any workers’ compensation claim or settlement demand that involves paralysis should demand compensation for not only past loses, but also for anticipated future costs for treatment. Importantly, a workers’ comp claim—unlike a lawsuit—may not seek recovery for non-economic damages, such as emotional trauma or loss of enjoyment of life. a dedicated attorney could work to calculate the damages you may be eligible to recover for after a paralysis injury and demand appropriate compensation through a Boston workers’ compensation claim.
Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit for a Paralysis Injury in Boston
Time limits for filing lawsuits are governed by a state’s statute of limitations. Under the Massachusetts statute of limitations, Boston plaintiffs have three years from the date of their injury to file a paralysis injury lawsuit. Waiting to file a claim could result in a victim losing their right to seek compensation.
Additionally, relevant evidence may begin to lose its weight over time. It is important for victims of paralysis injuries to begin building their claim as soon as possible. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances of a plaintiff’s case, they may have less time than they think to file a claim.
If a paralysis injury claim is filed on time, plaintiffs must abide by countless other deadlines throughout the pre-trial process. Our Boston paralysis injury lawyers will help satisfy the numerous deadlines for filing a paralysis injury claim.
Call an Experienced Boston Paralysis Injury Attorney Today
No amount of money can change what has happened to you. However, with a skilled Boston paralysis injury lawyer on your side, you could recover compensation to pay your medical bills, as well as secure funds for any treatment you may need in the future. When filing a lawsuit, an attorney could additionally consider how much money you may need to live a comfortable lifestyle and how much you deserve for your pain and suffering.
It is important to note that under state law, your right to file a lawsuit is time-barred. to find out if your case has merit and how much your case might be worth, call an experienced Boston personal injury lawyer today at (617) 977-6647.
