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(253) 272-5226Getting a paralysis diagnosis can be shocking and overwhelming. On top of the psychological adjustment, you may be facing medical costs and lost wages. Sometimes, a paralysis injury is the result of someone else’s carelessness. If you suspect someone caused your injury, call a Tacoma paralysis injury lawyer right away.
If we can prove that you were the victim of negligence, we could seek help you seek a settlement.
To have a personal injury claim, you need to be able to show that someone else’s careless behavior caused your injury. Let’s consider some of the more common causes of paralysis and discuss how negligence could play a role.
In the United States, car crashes are the leading cause of all spinal cord injuries. If you were hit by a driver who was under the influence, speeding, or breaking other traffic laws, you could file a claim.
Sometimes, a doctor’s error could leave a victim paralyzed. For instance, a patient might not be assessed for their stroke risk and released from the hospital early. We’ve also seen catastrophic outcomes with childbirth injuries.
Sports contain a degree of inherent risk, barring most victims from making claims. In other words, when you decide to go mountain biking or diving, you are assuming some level of risk that you could get hurt. However, there are situations when legal action is possible. The best way to find out is to call an experienced lawyer from our team.
Property owners must keep their premises free of hazards. (Or at the very least, warn guests about them with signs or barricades.) If your fall was due to their lack of care, you may have a claim based on premises liability.
Some of the most devastating injuries are inflicted through criminal acts. Gunshot and knife wounds can penetrate the spinal cord. In these circumstances, the perpetrator is likely to face criminal charges. You can also pursue compensation through a civil trial with a personal injury lawyer.
While we’ve listed the most common examples, there are certainly other times when negligence could result in a paralysis injury. If you’re not sure, the best bet is to call our office for assistance.
You probably already know that the costs involved with paralysis are very high. In fact, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports the medical costs associated with the first year of a paraplegia injury to be $560,000 with each year after at $74,000.
Consider what’s contributing to these costs:
On top of this, many people with paralysis may not be able to return to work, or at least the same type of work. Often, a spouse or child may need to reduce their work hours to act as a caregiver.
The compounding financial effect can be crippling for a family. An injury attorney could negotiate a settlement that covers both past and future medical bills.
In addition to financial stress, paralysis causes significant emotional distress. It’s not uncommon to experience a period of intense grief upon learning your diagnosis. Pain and suffering are sometimes referred to as “non-economic damages,” because they aren’t financial in nature.
Here are some more examples of non-economic damages:
Under Washington State law, personal injury victims can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. A paralysis injury attorney could ensure any settlement offer addresses all your damages.
In most cases, victims have three years from the time of injury to file a claim in the State of Washington (RCW 4.16.080).
Even so, it’s best to not delay. Involving a lawyer early in your claim process gives you the greatest chance for a successful outcome. There are two primary reasons for this. First, we have a good shot at securing critical evidence while it’s still fresh. And second, we’re able to provide legal oversight for more of the process.
There is no risk or cost to reach out to a Tacoma paralysis injury lawyer from our team to discuss your case. Here’s what happens: we’ll listen to your story, ask you some questions, and provide you with your legal options. And, if you’re unable to come to our office, let us know. We’d be happy to schedule a visit at your home, hospital, or other preferred location.