Paralysis injuries are catastrophic and lifelong. When you or someone you love loses the ability to move around without assistance, this can drastically change your way of life.
If you have suffered paralysis injuries due to another party’s negligence, reach out to a dedicated catastrophic accident attorney as soon as possible. A Stockton paralysis injury lawyer could help guide you through the complex process of securing fair compensation.
Impacts of Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
Paralysis injuries are typically categorized as incomplete or complete paralysis. An individual suffering from incomplete paralysis still retains minimal fine motor control and some sensation. An individual with complete paralysis has no movement or feeling in the affected regions.
Paraplegia involves an accident that causes paralysis of the lower body and legs due to damage sustained to the lower regions of the spinal cord. On the other hand, quadriplegia involves an accident that causes paralysis in both the upper and lower body due to damage sustained to the upper region of the spinal cord. People that sustain quadriplegia paralysis may have trouble breathing and require a ventilator. A paralyzed individual may also require round-the-clock care to perform essential body functions in the most severe cases.
A paralyzed individual often has to significantly alter several areas of their life, especially their mode of transportation. Accommodating these changes can be expensive. A Stockton attorney with experience handling paralysis cases could pursue a damages award on your behalf that accounts for the long-term impacts of your injuries.
Recovering Damages in a Mobility Loss Case in Stockton
In a paralysis injury case, recoverable damages often center on the economic damages, which are tangible financial costs. Economic damages may include medical bills and costs, lost time and wages at work, and lost future earning capacity. Although economic losses are easily calculated and may be a significant amount of a damages award, the bulk of the compensation awarded in paralysis injury cases is in the form of non-economic damages.
Non-economic damages involve losses that cannot be easily calculated or defined because they are a subjective measure of an injured person’s experiences. Common types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The non-economic damages awarded depend on the unique facts of a particular injury case. Under California Civil Code § 3294, punitive damages, which are payments intended to punish the at-fault party for their actions, may be awarded in a paralysis case if the responsible party’s actions amounted to malice, fraud, or oppression. A knowledgeable lawyer could help determine the compensation that may be available to you after suffering mobility loss.
Contact a Stockton Paralysis Injury Attorney Right Away
When you or a loved one suffers a paralysis injury, you may be facing medical bills, long-term treatment, and other emotional and economic costs. If another party caused your condition, you deserve to be compensated for the resulting physical, financial, and emotional damage.
A Stockton paralysis injury lawyer could help you understand what legal options are available in your situation. Call today to discuss your case with our compassionate legal team.