The NJ Personal Injury Attorneys at the Clark Law Firm, P.C., will Handle Your Paralysis Injury Case

When it comes to something as serious and life-altering as an injury resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis, hiring an experienced and compassionate personal injury attorney is critical. The personal injury attorneys at the Clark Law Firm, P.C., have extensive experience in handling cases involving serious personal injury, including personal injury resulting in paralysis. The attorneys at the Clark Law Firm, P.C. not only possess the legal skill to ensure that the rights of our clients and their families are protected, but are compassionate and understanding of our client’s individual circumstances and how a catastrophic injury may dramatically affect their lives.

We understand that it is difficult to focus on protecting your legal rights or the legal rights of a loved one while simultaneously trying to comprehend and adjust to the changes that a paralysis injury may bring. That is why whether the paralysis injury is temporary or permanent, partial or complete, if you or a family member have sustained a paralysis injury due to a tragedy involving the negligence of another, you need an injury law firm that will passionately and vigorously protect your rights while keeping your personal best interests and physical and emotional well-being in mind. The attorneys at the Clark Law Firm, P.C. will do just that!

If you or a loved one have sustained an injury resulting in paralysis due to the fault of another please feel free to contact the Clark Law Firm, P.C. so that we may protect your legal rights.

Paralysis in a Nutshell

Types of Paralysis Injury

Paralysis is one of the most serious injuries that an individual can sustain and usually requires extensive, long-term medical treatment. The effects of paralysis are life altering and can be physically, emotionally and financially challenging to the injured person as well as their family and loved ones.

Paralysis can occur when either the brain or the spinal cord are damaged as a result of some sort of trauma. When this damage occurs, the message between the brain and muscles are disrupted, resulting in loss of sensation and movement. Paralysis can be limited to a specific part of the body (a form of paralysis called localized paralysis) or may be generalized and therefore effecting the entire body (known as global paralysis).

In addition to the above categories of paralysis, there are several types of paralysis which are defined by the parts of the body in which they affect and to what extent the brain and spinal cord are damaged. Some examples of these types of paralysis are:

Monoplegia: Paralysis involving only one limb
Diplegia: Paralysis involving the same region on both sides of the body (for example, the arms).
Hemiplegia: Paralysis involving only one side of the body
Paraplegia: Paralysis involving the trunk of the body and both legs
Quadriplegia: Paralysis involving the trunk of the body as well as all limbs.

In addition to being described by the area of the body affected, paralysis is also categorized as either temporary or permanent.

Temporary paralysis occurs when nervous system functions are altered due to pressure being placed on the nervous system as a result of a spinal cord injury caused by some sort of trauma. This pressure is often times caused by swelling. Victims of temporary paralysis will be temporarily unable to move some or all parts of their body. However, once the swelling begins to subside and pressure on the nervous system is lessened sensation and movement abilities slowly return. The degree to which feeling and mobility returns is determined by the extent of damage to the brain and/or spinal cord.

Permanent Paralysis: Unlike temporary paralysis, there is no treatment or cure for permanent paralysis. The onset of permanent paralysis occurs when spinal cord tissue is damaged and unable to be repaired. Sufferers of permanent paralysis are faced with lifelong impairment.

Secondary conditions can also develop as a result of paralysis injury and include medical, social, or psychological challenges such as:

• Depression

• Pain

• Difficulty with Bladder Management

• Bowel Care

• Respiratory Challenges

• Difficulty with Intimacy

• Skin Care Challenges

• Spasticity http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.4453427/k.F231/Skin_Care.htm

Causes of Paralysis Injury

According to information obtained from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation study, One Degree of Separation, approximately 5,600,000 people, which represents 1.9% of the United States population, are suffering from some form of paralysis. While some cases of paralysis are caused by birth defects, medical conditions, or medical malpractice, this study also indicated that of those paralyzed, 1,275,000, approximately 23% of the cases, were due to some type of spinal cord injury resulting from various types of incidents resulting from the negligence of another. *

Examples of traumatic causes of paralysis include, but are not limited to:

• Spinal Cord Injuries (e.g. sports related injuries)
• Shellfish Poisoning / Botulism
• Head Injury
• Neck Trauma
• Fall Down Accident
• Motor Vehicle Accident
• Work Accidents
• Sports Accidents

It is believed that more than 50% of paralysis cases are related to incidents involving motor vehicles, including trucks, cars and motorcycles. Most of these incidents are related to some type of driver negligence. In these instances, the negligent driver can be held responsible for the resulting paralysis injury. Although the majority of these paralysis accidents are caused by driver negligence, they can also be related to automobile defects. Automobile manufacturers design their vehicles to withstand rollover crashes and crushed roofs. Should the vehicle be defective in some way there may be cause for a product defect lawsuit resulting in compensation for the victim.

Treatment for Paralysis Injury

Early detection and treatment of paralysis symptoms are very important and can sometimes mean the difference between temporary and permanent paralysis. If the main cause of the paralysis can be treated through rehabilitation therapy, there is a possibility the victim may regain some mobility. Rehabilitation treatment includes but is not limited to:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Recreation Therapy
• Psychological Therapy
• Nutrition Counseling
• Special Education
• Respiratory Therapy
• Speech Therapy

Paralysis Injury and Lifelong Medical Expenses – Why a New Jersey Personal Injury Firm is Needed to Represent You in Your Paralysis Injury Case

In addition to the emotional devastation of paralysis injury, the financial impact can also be devastating. In cases of permanent paralysis injuries, a lifetime of care is required. In addition to the initial medical costs of diagnosis and treatment, there can be significant expenses associated with on-going treatment and therapy as well as necessary medical equipment and devices. According to studies performed by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the estimated lifetime cost of paralysis injuries, depending upon the type of paralysis injury and age of the victim when the accident occurred, can range from approximately $1,000,000 to over $4,000,000.**

It is rare that anyone suffering from a paralysis injury caused by some type of negligence-related trauma does not require an accidents attorney to manage their medical and financial needs. When trauma is the result of driver negligence, doctor or employer negligence or product liability and paralysis injury is caused the responsible party needs to be held accountable. Insurance companies may only cover the immediate medical expenses that are required as a result of the accident. Unfortunately however, long term treatment, therapy, medical equipment and caretakers are often necessary, particularly if the paralysis injuries are permanent. In addition, the victim’s ability to earn income may be compromised and therefore they will be unable to support themselves or their family. The Clark Law Firm, P.C., is a new jersey personal injury law firm with experience in handling paralysis injury and spinal cord injury cases. Our injuries attorneys do not only have the vast resources needed to handle this type of personal injury case, but also have the sensitivity to deal with the emotional impact this type of injury has on their clients and their families. We understand that nothing may be able to change your diagnosis or alleviate your pain and suffering. However, we will work hard to ensure that you receive compensation for the long term financial burden this paralysis injury has caused you and your family. Contact the injury attorneys at the Clark Law Firm, P.C. today so we can evaluate your case and begin the process of protecting your legal rights and your financial future.

*http://www.christopherreeve.org/atf/cf/%7B3d83418f-b967-4c18-8ada-adc2e5355071%7D/8112REPTFINAL.PDF

**http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5193227/k.FC2/The_Costs_of_Living_with_Spinal_Cord_Injury.htm