Serious Neck and Spine Injuries Resulting in Paralysis

When a person is involved in a serious motor vehicle, car, motorcycle or truck accident the forces associated with the crash can result in serious neck and spine injuries resulting in paralysis or permanent loss of a range of motion.  Damage to the spinal cord, the nervous system and brain itself can result in permanent loss of motor skills, sensation and in some cases muscle function.  These injuries may also result from workplace or construction injuries, accidents associated with premises liability or accidents in a swimming pool, lake or amusement park.

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious neck or back injury as a result of another’s negligence you will need expert, skilled legal representation.  These cases often include the need for a “Life Care Plan” which will provide for all present and future medical expenses, loss of income or the ability to earn a living, health care, modifications to your home and vehicles and other associated expenses.  We invite you to contact us or call for a free consultation with one of our attorneys, at (502) 583-9701.  If you are too injured or unable to come to our offices we will come to you.

Paraplegia Quadriplegia and Tetraplegia

Injuries resulting in paralysis may be classified as paraplegia, quadriplegia or tetraplegia.  Paraplegia is the loss of movement and/or sensation in the legs and torso.  Those with paraplegia usually retain the use of the shoulders, arms, fingers, and neck.  Unfortunately, those who must endure paraplegia often experience chronic pain and “phantom pain” when the injury is the result of trauma, such as a car or truck accident.

Quadriplegia, also known as Tetraplegia, is the loss of all four limbs as well as the torso.  Most who suffer quadriplegia or tetraplegia have lost the ability to move on their own below their neck.  The injuries which produce this form of paralysis usually result from damage higher in the spinal cord in the cervical spine, between C1 and C7.  The higher in the spinal column the injury, the more severe the resulting injury often becomes.

Often the limbs and torso themselves are fine, there is simply a loss of the electrical signals which control them.  There is hope in some cases that once the swelling at the site of the injury subsides some function may return.  Surgery and other treatments may bring success, especially if the surgeon is able to relieve compression on the spinal cord or the brain.  Technological advances have shown some promise in assisting those who face paraplegia, quadriplegia or tetraplegia.

Why is It Important to Hire Experienced, Proven Injury Attorneys?

Most who suffer a spinal cord, back or neck injuries resulting in paralysis are employed at the time of their injuries.  A recent study showed 11.8% of the victims of a spinal cord injury were employed a year after the accident.  The study also noted the long-term impact of these injuries.  Even 20 years later, less than 34% of those who had suffered injuries resulting in paralysis were able to return to the same level of employment they enjoyed prior to their injuries.

The medical costs associated with these cases are staggering.  If the injury occurred between the C1 and C4 cervical vertebrae the first year medical expenses will exceed $1 million.  Medical expenses for each subsequent year average just under $200,000 per year.  This does not include the loss of wages or health care and other benefits associated with employment.  You or your loved one may also require long term or full-time nursing care, as well as extensive physical and occupational therapy.

Our attorneys have served Louisville and all of Kentucky with distinction since the 1920’s.  We work with economists and financial and medical experts to develop a “Life Care Plan” to present to the jury.  The Life Care Plan presents easy to understand and compelling projections of the full financial impact upon the injured party now and well into the future.  We are proven trial attorneys with a long track record of success in these cases.  Insurance companies bring in their best legal teams as they know the financial risk of these cases is quite substantial.  You need the experienced and proven attorneys of HLH to aggressively pursue all avenues of recovery and to hold those responsible financially accountable for you injuries resulting in paralysis in Louisville or throughout the State of Kentucky.

Contact the Experienced Kentucky and Louisville Injury Lawyers at HLH

If you or a loved one have been injured in a Kentucky motor vehicle accident resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia or tetraplegia we invite you to contact Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington or call for a FREE initial consultation with one of our lawyers, at (502) 583-9701.  If you are too injured or unable to come to our offices we will come to you.

There is no cost to you or your family out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.  You can trust our law firm with over 100 years of experience.  You can trust our seasoned injury attorneys with decades of expertise in motor vehicle accident and serious or permanent injury cases.  Our clients value the responsiveness of our attorneys and staff, direct access to their attorney and the successful outcomes we achieve.