Back and Neck Trauma Leading to Paralysis

Back and neck injuries can lead to life-altering injuries like paralysis. Depending on the cause of your paralysis, it can be temporary or permanent.

If you are dealing with back and neck trauma that has led to paralysis, you may be facing a mounting pile of medical bills, in addition to learning how to cope with your paralysis.

You are not alone, though. A personal injury lawyer serving Mississauga may be able to help if you suffered back and neck trauma that led to paralysis. For a free initial consultation, contact us today at 1-800-JUSTICE.

Accidents That May Result in Neck and Back Trauma

There are a wide variety of accidents that can cause back and neck trauma that leads to paralysis. They include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Car and truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Defective products
• Sports injuries
• Assault and child abuse
• Motorcycle or ATV collisions
• Snowmobile accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Medical/surgical related accidents
• And more

Different Types of Paralysis

Paralysis occurs when you are unable to move part of the body and could range from the inability to move the hands, feet, or a single limb to the inability to move an entire portion of the body. In some cases, people have complete paralysis where they are entirely unable to move. Five types of paralysis include:

• Monoplegia: With this type of paralysis, you cannot move one of your limbs.
• Hemiplegia: This type of paralysis affects the muscles on one side of the body.
• Diplegia: This is where you are unable to move an area on both sides of the body, such as both arms.
• Paraplegia: With this type of paralysis, you cannot move your legs and sometimes parts of your torso.
• Quadriplegia: This type of paralysis impacts both of your arms and legs and can even prevent you from moving anything from the neck down.

If you have temporary or permanent paralysis as a result of back and neck trauma caused by someone else’s negligent behavior, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. To find out what your options are for recovering damages in your case, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial consultation.

Elements of a Negligence Case

In order to file a claim of negligence, four elements must be present:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Everyone, whether they are a citizen, company, or government agency, is bound to adhere to a duty of care. That means that they are expected to act in a way that is responsible and careful to others. For example, if you are driving a car, you automatically owe a duty of care to others to drive the speed limit and avoid texting while you are operating the vehicle.

When someone breaks their duty of care, the at-fault party’s negligence can be held against him or her if an accident and damages occur. For example, if a store owner fails to repair the broken sidewalk in front of the building and a customer trips and falls, they have breached their duty. If a company does not properly test its fitness equipment and a customer falls because of a defect and injures him or herself, the company has breached its duty of care.

In order to establish negligence, though, we must also prove the accident was caused by the breach of duty. In other words, were it not for the negligent actions of the at-fault party, the accident would never have happened.

Finally, in order to pursue a claim against the at-fault party for negligence, there must be damages as a result of the accident. Damages can include property damage, medical expenses, or lost wages, among other things. We can review your case and advise on whether or not you have a potential claim.

How the Statute of Limitations Can Impact Your Injury Claim

According to Ontario’s Limitations Act, you must file a claim for a personal injury accident within two years of your accident. In most cases, the period begins on the day the injury occurs and runs for 24 consecutive months.

There are some exceptions to this, such as if the victim has disabilities that impact his or her cognitive function and is not represented by a litigation guardian or if the victim is a minor.

A Personal Injury Lawyer May Be Able to Help with Your Case

There are several ways in which a dedicated lawyer may be able to help you with your case.

Providing Legal Guidance

An accident lawyer can answer any questions you may have to take the burden off your shoulders while you deal with your injuries and learn to cope with your paralysis. We may also be able to help you to understand all your options for recovering compensation and offer you guidance to help you make informed decisions.

Investigate Your Accident

An injury lawyer may conduct a thorough investigation into your accident by:

• Gathering evidence such as police reports and surveillance video footage to prove liability in your case
• Consulting with medical experts who can testify to the extent of your injuries
• Collecting receipts, bills, and other documents to estimate the total value of your losses
• And more

Negotiate on Your Behalf

An injury lawyer may be able to negotiate with the at-fault party’s lawyer, or third-party insurer, to pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries.

See how an injury lawyer serving Mississauga may be able to help you if you suffered back and neck trauma that led to paralysis. Call 1-800-JUSTICE today.