We are all born with the desire to be free and independent, to move freely and enjoy life. In fact, one of the earliest rites of passage is taking our first steps as a young child.
Sadly, this freedom of movement is not something available to those who have suffered serious Quadriplegia injuries.
Quadriplegia is a severe and life-altering condition that can result from catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord trauma. The condition is characterized by the partial or total loss of function in all four limbs and the torso due to spinal cord injuries typically sustained in accidents such as car crashes, falls, sports injuries, or through medical malpractice.
We Can Help
At Lenahan & Dempsey, we understand the impact of Quadriplegia on an individual’s life is profound, often leading to permanent disability, loss of independence, and the need for ongoing medical care and assistance with daily activities.
In situations where Quadriplegia is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, we help our clients recover the money they need for often life-long medical and support care.
We have recovered Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our injured clients, and we stand ready to help you – today. We have nationally honored lawyers waiting to help you.
Our success for our clients has led to Judges and our peers voting our firm for inclusion in The Best Law Firms in America, and we are listed as a Tier 1 law firm (the highest rating). Eight of our lawyers are listed in Best Lawyers in America, and eight are listed as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Three, including Firm President John Lenahan, Jr., Managing Partner Timothy Lenahan and Attorney Matthew Dempsey are listed in The Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania (out of over 48,000 Pennsylvania lawyers).
Timothy Lenahan is also Best Lawyers in America’s Top Insurance Lawyer for his representation of the injured fighting against large insurers for the region of Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. He has previously been named Best Lawyers Top Personal Injury Lawyer for that region for his work fighting for the rights of injured people.
Legal Considerations in Quadriplegia Cases
Proving liability in quadriplegia cases can be complex and requires a thorough investigation to establish the link between the defendant’s actions and your injury.
As we move work to prove your claim and the extent of your injuries, we will often call on expert witnesses. Lenahan & Dempsey has a nationwide network of experts in internal and rehabilitative medicine who can evaluate your injuries and the costs of your rehabilitation needs in the future.
We have represented victims in Quadriplegia Cases. We know how to win these cases.
Common Causes of Quadriplegia Injuries
Quadriplegia injuries can result from several situations, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dangerous premises
- Defective products
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, since 2015, vehicle accidents have been the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, representing 37.5% of all spinal cord injuries; 31.7% were from falls, and 3.7% from medical/surgical issues.
Effects of Quadriplegia Injuries
A Quadriplegia injury can affect your life in several ways. Quadriplegia typically involves damage to the brain or spinal cord, usually in the cervical spine between C1-C7. The extent of the impairment and disability depends on the specific level where the damage to the spinal cord occurred. The higher up on the cervical spine the damage to the spinal cord occurs (such as C1 or C2), the more severe the damage and impairment can be, including potentially impaired breathing which may require a ventilator. Damage to C1 and C2 vertebrae can even be fatal due to impaired breathing and other essential functions. Damage to lower areas of the spinal cord may result in paraplegia, rather than Quadriplegia. Information on paraplegia may be found here.
Some of the most common effects of Quadriplegia injuries include:
- Paralysis or limited range of motion of the arms, torso and lower body/legs
- Loss of sensation in the arms, torso and lower body/legs
- Impaired mobility
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Involuntary muscle spasms or muscle tightness
- Difficulty breathing due to impaired chest muscles, sometimes requiring a ventilator or other breathing aids
- Difficulty coughing due to impaired abdominal muscles, making it difficult to cough
- Damage to vocal cords or difficulty speaking
- Secondary infections, such as bedsores
- Urinary tract infections
- Muscular atrophy
- Respiratory infections
- Reduced life expectancy
- Depression
- Death
Sometimes Quadriplegia is “incomplete” in that the person still has some function or sensation in their arms or legs and might have control over bowel and bladder function. For some, incomplete quadriplegia can improve with therapy or exercise. For others, incomplete quadriplegia may progress to complete quadriplegia.
Compensation In a Quadriplegia Injury Case
Compensation in a Quadriplegia injury lawsuit may include:
- Emergency room bills
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation costs
- Adaptive equipment and technology
- In-home or institutional care and assistance
If a Quadriplegia injury led to the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to damages in a Wrongful Death and Survival claim. Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival cases may include economic losses such as funeral and medical expenses, lost wages/earning capacity, and loss of financial support to the spouse, children or parents of the deceased loved one, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering of their deceased loved one and the loss of companionship, society and comfort, and the emotional and psychological loss to family members due to the loss of their loved one. More information on Wrongful Death and Survival claims can be found here.
Call Us Today
If you or a loved one suffered a devastating Quadriplegia injury, we are here to help.
We are available 24/7 at 1.888.536.2426. Call us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. There are no fees until you get the money you deserve.
What Can You Expect When Working With Lenahan & Dempsey
We have recovered Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients across almost all fields of Personal Injury, Insurance Bad Faith and Workers’ Compensation law.
We fully understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a case can take on victims and their families. Our highly dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals can point to a history of success supporting our clients and winning the money they need to rebuild their lives.
Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms are trademarks of Woodward White. Super Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania are trademarks of Thompson Reuters. Both trademarks are used with permission. Details on Settlements & Verdicts are found at LenahanDempsey.com. All law firms are required to note that because the facts of each case are different, past performance is not a promise of a future outcome.
