Ohio Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Occasionally, severe injuries may lead to a medical condition known as paralysis. Since it severely limits a person’s mobility, paralysis often leads to significant changes to a person’s life that have major emotional and financial implications.

That said, however, someone whose paralysis may have been the result of another’s negligence might be entitled to financial compensation. If you believe the irresponsibility of another party caused your paralysis, an Ohio paralysis injury lawyer’s counsel might prove vital to your future. A well-versed attorney can help you determine your options so you can begin to plan for your future.

Paraplegia and Quadriplegia

Paralysis can be broken down into two categories: paraplegia and quadriplegia. Each condition produces different clinical manifestations, as well as varying impacts upon an individual’s mobility and self-sustaining capabilities.

Paraplegic individuals lose the use of their legs and lower body. They will likely need to wheelchairs and may require extensive, if not lifelong physical therapy. A paraplegic’s home may also need refurbishment to enable unencumbered movement of wheelchairs or other transportation devices.

Quadriplegics lose both feeling and the ability to utilize all four of their limbs. Moreover, depending upon the severity of the injury that induced the condition, they might experience breathing difficulties.

Quadriplegic individuals will often be confined to a wheelchair, require extensive physical therapy, may need permanent access to breathing equipment, and might also need significant home care from trained health aides.

Negligent Acts That Might Cause Paralysis

An individual’s paralysis may be the result of another person or entity’s negligence. In certain instances, accidents might occur because of someone

• Neglecting to warn an employee or visitor to a specific business of a dangerous situation on the premises
• Failing to address or remedy potentially hazardous conditions
• Designing or manufacturing a faulty product that caused a paralysis-inducing incident
• Displaying some form of medical malpractice
• Executing an act of criminal malfeasance that resulted in paralysis
• Driving negligently or recklessly and causing an accident

Other circumstances might have precipitated someone’s paralysis. An Ohio paralysis injury lawyer can review cases on an individual basis and determine whether someone has a legitimate claim.

Comparative Fault in Ohio

Ohio State Code 2515.33 mandates that the adjudicating legal bodies in personal injury cases assign fault to all parties involved in specific incidents. The damages an injured person can recover may be reduced by the percentage they are found to be at fault for precipitating the event in question.

Ohio also adheres to the modified comparative fault theory. This primary tenet of this principle is that, if a claimant is found to be 51 percent or more to blame for causing the incident in question, they may not be able to recover any compensation.

Compensatory Versus Punitive Damages

In most paralysis cases, claimants may seek a variety of compensatory damages. These damages designed to compensate the claimant for the expenses brought forth by their accident and subsequent injuries. Common compensatory rewards may be given for:

• Pain and suffering
• Past and ongoing medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• The expense of supportive equipment
• The costs of adapting the claimant’s residence to their circumstances

Punitive damages are not always sought. These rewards are adjudicated in separate legal proceedings and are only awarded if an Ohio paralysis injury lawyer can prove a person was paralyzed due to a deliberate or malicious act.

Speak with an Ohio Paralysis Injury Attorney

Paralysis often leads to serious mobility issues and major lifestyle alterations. In some instances, such circumstances might be caused by the negligence of others.

However, these claims must be proven using established legal procedures that require the production of evidence to support them. If you believe your paralysis was the cause of another party’s irresponsibility, an Ohio paralysis injury lawyer may be able to help you recover damages.

Please contact a lawyer today.