Orlando Paralysis Injury Attorneys

A spinal injury resulting in paralysis is a catastrophic, life-changing event. Not only must you deal with the physical limitations and psychological impact of the paralysis, but you may also be looking at a lifetime of medical expenses related to that paralysis.

If you suffered a paralyzing injury because of the wrongful or negligent conduct of another party (or parties), you may be entitled to compensation for all your injuries. Trying to navigate the legal system on your own, however, can compound the stress and anxiety you are already dealing with because of your injury. Instead, let the experienced Orlando paralysis injury attorneys at Bailey Fisher PLLC help. With more than half a century of combined successful legal experience negotiating settlements and litigating personal injury cases, we are committed to ensuring that the at-fault party is held accountable and that you receive the monetary damages to which you are entitled.

What Is a Paralysis Injury?

When the human body works as intended, the brain sends signals through nerves in the spinal cord to muscles throughout your body. Those signals “tell” the muscles to move. Paralysis is the inability to voluntarily move a part of the body, almost always because of damage to the nerves associated with that part of the body. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a paralysis injury can affect any part of the body and can be partial, meaning you can control some, but not all, affected muscles, or complete, meaning you have no control over any of the affected muscles. Paralysis can also be broken down into two types. Flaccid paralysis causes your muscles to get flabby and shrink while spastic paralysis causes muscles to tighten, resulting in uncontrollable jerks and spasms.

What Are the Types of Paralysis Injuries?

Various terms are used to describe different types of paralysis. If you, or someone you care about, has suffered a paralysis injury it may be helpful to understand some of these terms, such as:

Monoplegia. This refers to paralysis in a single limb orregion of the body.
Hemiplegia. This occurs when one side of your body is partially or completely paralyzed. Individuals who suffer a stroke often suffer temporary or permanent hemiplegia.
Diplegia. This refers to paralysis of the same areas of the body on both sides, such as both arms or legs.
Paraplegia. Paraplegia impacts the entire lower body, including the trunk, pelvic organs, and legs.
Quadriplegia. Quadriplegia, also referred to as tetraplegia, impacts an individual from the neck down, causing paralysis in the arms, trunk, pelvic organs, and legs.

Paralysis Injury Facts and Figures

While the human spinal cord is an amazingly complex and resilient system, it is far from indestructible as shown by the following facts and figures published by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC):

Approximately 294,000 people are currently living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States.
Each year, there are approximately 17,810 new SCI in the U.S.
The average age at injury has increased from 29 years old during the 1970s to 43 years old since 2015.
Incomplete quadriplegia (tetraplegia) is the most common (47.2%) paralysis injury.

Along with handling the physical and emotional pain and suffering a paralysis injury causes, a victim must also face the financial cost associated with paralysis injuries. Both the initial cost and the cost of lifetime care can be staggering, according to the NSCISC. Depending on the type of paralysis injury and the age at the time of injury, the average first-year cost to treat a paralysis injury ranges from $375,196 to $1,149,629. Each subsequent year may cost between $45,572 and $199,637. For a 25-year-old, the lifetime expense of a paralysis injury runs between $1.7 and $5.1 million dollars.

What Causes Paralysis Injuries?

While stroke and other non-traumatic events can cause paralysis, injury to the spine caused by a traumatic “accident” or medical error is the most common causes of paralysis as shown by the following figures published by the NSCISC:

Vehicular collisions 38.6%
Falls 32.2%
Violence (primarily gunshot wounds) 14%
Sports/Recreation Activities 7.8%
Medical/Surgical 4.2%
Other 3.2%

Who Is Responsible for an Orlando Paralysis Injury?

If you suffered a paralysis injury because of a traumatic accident (car accident, sports injury, fall), during a surgical procedure, or even as a result of a violent assault, another party (or multiple parties) may be legally liable for the injuries you have suffered. This may include your past, current, and future medical bills as well as the physical and emotional trauma you have suffered because of the injury. In short, if another party’s negligent or intentional conduct caused, or contributed, to your paralysis injury, that party may be held legally and financially responsible.

Get the Help You Need from Orlando Paralysis Injury Attorneys

At Bailey Fisher, we have witnessed the physical, emotional, and financial impact a paralysis injury has on the victim as well as on those who care for the victim. We have the experience and resources necessary to ensure that all parties responsible for your injuries are held accountable, and we are committed to aggressively making sure that happens. We will use our considerable expertise and dedication to make sure you are fully compensated for the paralysis injury you suffered.

If you, or a family member, suffered a paralysis injury, contact the experienced Orlando paralysis injury attorneys at Bailey Fisher to discuss your legal options by calling 407-628-2929 or filling out our online contact form today.