Few serious injuries are as life-altering as Paraplegia cases.
Paraplegia involves paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by an injury to the brain or spinal cord that prevents signaling to the lower body. Paraplegia injuries can lead to a number of disabilities and, in the most tragic cases, death.
Paraplegia can be complete, meaning total loss of function and inability to feel sensation and move; or it can be incomplete, meaning a partial loss of function so that you still might be able to feel or move body parts below the injury, but not in the same way you did before the injury.
Lenahan & Dempsey lawyers understand these cases, and we have successfully helped clients who have suffered Paraplegia through the fault of another. This is just one reason why our Firm is listed in Best Law Firms in America as a Tier 1 Law Firm, the highest possible rating, as voted on by Judges and our peers.
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.
Lenahan & Dempsey lawyers can explain your legal options and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Paraplegia Injuries
Paraplegia 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 Paraplegia Injuries
A Paraplegia injury can affect your life in several ways. The symptoms of paraplegia depend on how high or low the injury was in the spine. Some of the most common effects of paraplegia injuries include:
- Paralysis of the lower body/legs
- Loss of sensation in the lower body/legs
- Impaired mobility
- Phantom pain in the lower body
- Chronic pain
- Muscle spasms
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing due to impaired chest muscles
- Difficulty coughing due to impaired abdominal muscles, making it difficult to cough
- Secondary infections, such as bedsores
- Depression
- Death
Medical professionals refer to the “completeness” of the injury to refer to the severity of damage to the spinal cord and the paralysis it creates. Injury victims with incomplete paralysis retain partial feeling and function in damaged areas. Complete paralysis is characterized by complete loss of sensation and movement in the areas affected by the injury to the spinal cord.
Compensation In a Paraplegia Injury Case
Compensation in a Paraplegia 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 Paraplegia 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
We’re 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.
