Catastrophic injuries can be life altering for the victim who has to endure long term medication treatments, multiple surgeries, physical therapy plans, and other elements to the long term recovery process. These types of catastrophic injury during the most severe instances can entail paralysis and permanent disability.
What is Paralysis?
Paralysis refers to a medical condition involving loss of muscle function in the body and the disabling of nerves.1 Whether paralysis presents as a temporary or permanent form, it is normally associated with damage sustained to the spinal cord or other parts of the nervous system which also correlates to the classification of paralysis as localized, effecting a singular part of the body or generalized, effecting an entire region of the body.2 Paralysis can be the result of a disease or condition such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson, or multiple sclerosis, but a leading cause of paralysis is trauma.3
What is a Permanent Disability?
According to the Social Security Administration, permanent or total disability can present as physical, mental, emotional, or a combination of any or all of these types of disabilities.4 The disability must be severe enough to effect performance of work or lasts beyond a year or to result in death.5 This could include paralysis as well as amputations, traumatic brain injuries, soft-tissue damage, disfigurement, or other displacement or damage to the vertebra, ligaments, cartilage, or bones.
How to Recover From Permanent Injuries?
Recovering from paralysis or another form of permanent disability is a multifaceted process. The first step is to seek medical treatment. Many of the permanent injuries that result from a trauma such as a slip and fall, injury from the use of a dangerous product, or a car accident can be suppressed or minimized through immediate medical treatment. In other cases, receiving proper and complete medical assistance along with proper documentation to collaborate any injuries and their severity, is essential to recovering for the financial losses that coincide with permanent disabilities and paralysis. The next important step is to consult with an attorney about pursing a claim for damages based on your injuries. Some of the common types of damages that can be recovered through a lawsuit include pain and suffering associated with the mental and emotional trauma, medical expenses including future expenses, household assistance services, rehabilitation or physical therapy, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and other damages associated the long term effects of a serious injury.6
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered a permanent injury or disability, it is important to discuss the circumstances of your injury with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help to protect your legal rights and interests. To contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation please feel free to call the The Bruning Law Firm trial attorneys at 314-735-8100.
Resources:
- http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Paralysis.aspx
- http://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify4.html
- http://injury.findlaw.com/accident-injury-law/economic-recovery-for-accidents-and-injuries.html
