Call Us atParalysis is a serious injury that often causes permanent disabilities. When a person’s recklessness or carelessness causes an avoidable accident, leading to your immobility, civil laws are in place to hold them accountable.
If negligent actions caused you to suffer injuries leading to paralysis, you have every right to hold that party financially responsible. Schedule a consultation with a Bothell paralysis lawyer if you need help with a case. A catastrophic injury attorney could handle the legal work while you focus on your recovery.
What is Paralysis?
When an accident causes back, neck, or spine injuries that disrupt the nerve signal to the muscles, an individual may experience paralysis. It is the loss of muscle function and the ability to make voluntary movements in one or various body parts. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent, and there is currently no cure. There are four primary forms of paralysis:
Monoplegia
Monoplegia is paralysis that affects one limb. It can occur on either side of the body or cause loss of function in one arm or leg.
Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is paralysis in one arm and leg on either side of the body. It can affect the left or right side and may be temporary or permanent.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia affects all or part of the pelvic organs, trunk, and legs. It usually occurs after spinal column discs, ligaments, or vertebrae damage.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia affects a person’s body from the neck down, including all four limbs. It most commonly happens after an injury to the neck portion of the spinal cord.
A person could also suffer from partial or complete paralysis. Partial paralysis means a person has limited mobility of the limbs affected by paralysis, while complete means they have no control over that portion of their body. An attorney in Bothell could answer specific questions after reviewing the cause of a paralysis accident and other facts of the case.
The Effect of the Contributory Fault Rule
A defendant in injury suits will commonly assert a plaintiff shares a portion of liability for an accident. According to the Revised Code of Washington § 4.22.005, sharing partial fault for the damages does not bar an individual from recovering compensation from a defendant. Instead, a court will subtract their liability portion from the total award amount.
Elements of Negligence
There are four elements needed to prove to a court that a defendant is liable for an accident:
- A defendant owed a plaintiff a duty of care
- The responsible party breached their duty of care
- The breach of duty was the cause of the accident
- A plaintiff suffered verifiable losses as a result of the negligence
Everyone has a duty to act reasonably and do their best to avoid causing others harm. When a person is careless, they breach that legal duty. An injured person could prove their losses with hospital records, bills, and witness statements. A skilled paralysis lawyer in Bothell could answer questions on contributory fault and help collect evidence to prove negligence.
Schedule to Meet an Experienced Bothell Paralysis Attorney
Injuries leading to paralysis can leave you depressed, angry, and unsure of the future. You and your family do not need to face this challenging time alone. A lawsuit for damages could cover your losses, help you get the quality of medical care you require, and get your life back on track.
Call a Bothell paralysis lawyer to review your case if you need help with a civil lawsuit. Reach out today to begin an investigation to collect the vital evidence required to prove your case.
