Greenville Paralysis Injury Lawyer

For victims of accidents, there are few outcomes as devastating as paralysis. Regardless of whether the paralysis is full or partial or where it’s located on the body, losing the ability to move in the same way that you could before the accident can affect nearly every aspect of your life.

Most individuals who have suffered a paralysis injury face significant financial costs, from medical treatments to home modifications needed to improve quality of life. If their previous occupation was highly physical, they may even need to find a new line of work. On top of it all, many injured victims face immense emotional hardships, making dealing with day-to-day responsibilities all the more difficult.

If you or a loved one’s paralysis was caused by the negligence of another person or party, you may be entitled to compensation through a paralysis injury claim. However, these claims are complex due to the wide range of damages involved, and it’s important to work with a lawyer who has the skills and experience to handle them effectively. With more than two decades of experience representing injured South Carolinians and millions recovered* on their behalf, HawkLaw P.A. is ready to guide you through the process and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.

The Lasting Effects of Paralysis Injuries

Paralysis occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord or brain that interferes with nerve signals between the body and the brain. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, paralysis can affect specific parts of the body or the entire body below the injury site. Types of paralysis include:

• Paraplegia: Affects the lower half of the body, typically resulting from spinal cord injuries in the thoracic or lumbar regions.
• Quadripalegia: Affects both the upper and lower extremities, often caused by cervical spinal cord injuries.
• Hemiplegia: Affects one side of the body, usually resulting from a stroke or brain injury.

Regardless of the type of paralysis a person may be suffering from, most face challenges taking care of daily tasks, like cooking, cleaning, shopping, and personal hygiene. Some may be able to rely on family members for help, but others may need to hire full-time caregivers or make significant renovations to their home to be compatible with their disability, including wheelchair ramps, elevators, or stability bars.

All of these changes, combined with medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and emotional hardships, can alter a person’s life in a significant way. Fortunately, in cases where a person’s paralysis injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, there are resources to help address these changes and the costs associated with recovery and long-term disability.

By working with a paralysis injury attorney, these damages can be calculated, documented, and supported with evidence to recover a settlement representative of the challenges faced by the victim.

Types of Accidents in Greenville That Can Lead To Paralysis

Although paralysis can result from almost any type of accident, below are a few of the most common types that lead to serious injuries:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, and cycling accidents, are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries and brain injuries, and thus, are incredibly common in paralysis cases. In many of these scenarios, the victim is hit by a driver who is driving recklessly, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, or texting and driving; however, even a simple failure to yield or follow traffic signals can easily result in paralysis or other severe injuries.
• Medical Malpractice: Another common cause of paralysis is medical malpractice. When a healthcare provider or medical staff member fails to administer a proper level of care, it can result in life-altering disabilities and medical conditions. This is especially common in cases of surgical errors, misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or improper medication administration.
• Workplace Accidents: A paralysis injury can happen in nearly every type of occupation; however, they are especially common in physical labor jobs such as manufacturing or construction. At these job sites, workers frequently work from higher elevations and work with heavy machinery or uneven surfaces. If safety protocol is not closely followed, workers can hold their employers (or other responsible parties) liable for any paralysis injuries that result.
• Premises Liability Cases: Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises at all times so that visitors or customers have a reduced risk of injury. This includes clearing walkways, maintaining security, and securing stock. If a person slips and falls due to wet surfaces or icy parking lots, or sustains any other type of serious injury that could have otherwise been prevented, the property owner can be held liable.

What Damages Can You Recover Through a Paralysis Injury Claim?

The ultimate goal of any personal injury lawsuit is to recover compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional damages that the victim has endured as a result of their injuries. However, in these cases, it’s essential that the final settlement amount is actually representative of these damages, considering both immediate costs, such as hospital stays and emergency room visits, as well as long-term costs such as the inability to work, chronic pain, and ongoing medical treatment. The latter can often go overlooked, especially if you do not have a lawyer to calculate them. This is why you should never accept the first offer given to you by insurance without consulting a lawyer, as the amount is often intentionally lower than what is actually owed. Some examples of the types of damages to consider include:

• Medical expenses: This includes current and future medical costs, such as surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medications, and assistive equipment like wheelchairs or home modifications.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost while recovering, as well as the loss of future earning potential if the injury prevents the victim from returning to work.
• Pain and Suffering: Monetary recovery for the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by the injury, as well as the diminished quality of life that accompanies paralysis. It can also account for the isolation that the victim may endure, such as loss of consortium or the inability to socialize.
• Long-Term Care and Home Modifications: Ongoing expenses for in-home nursing, physical therapy, or personal assistance required for daily living can all be accounted for in a potential settlement. The same goes for costs associated with making the victim’s living space or vehicle accessible, including ramps, lifts, and adaptive technology.

Why Hiring a Greenville Paralysis Injury Lawyer is So Important

Paralysis injury lawsuits are often much more complex than other types of personal injury lawsuits in that they often involve a much wider range of damages. Because of this, having access to evidence that clearly supports your case is essential to ensuring you’re getting a fair settlement.

Sadly, locating, documenting, and presenting evidence successfully can be difficult to do on your own, especially if you are limited physically or financially by your injury. Our Greenville paralysis injury lawyers know that some evidence isn’t always easy to obtain, like security camera footage that stores may be reluctant to release or detailed medical records from multiple providers. We have the experience and resources to request this evidence properly, track down witnesses, and gather the documentation needed to build a strong case.

Having a lawyer is also important when it comes to settlement negotiations. Again, because damages are often much higher in paralysis injury cases, many insurance adjusters may try to avoid paying you your fair amount in order to save their company money. In many cases, they may even try to misrepresent your statements in an attempt to justify this. If you suspect that this may be happening, our lawyers can step in to not only protect your rights but also advocate for fair payment using evidence and their decades of legal experience.

Greenville Paralysis Injury Lawyer: FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a Greenville paralysis injury attorney?

HawkLaw P.A. works on a contingency basis, meaning that we do not charge any fees unless we win your case*. If we are successful, our fee is taken as a percentage of your settlement.

How long will my paralysis injury case take?

It depends on the case, but typically, the timeline can range from a few months to a year or longer. This will depend on how severe the injury is, how available and viable the supporting evidence is, and whether or not liability is clear-cut. The more complicated the case, the more likely it is that it will take longer to resolve.

Can I still file a claim if I was partly responsible for my injury?

Yes. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you were no more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your recovery will typically be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by that amount. Having an attorney on your side to handle settlement negotiations is essential for this reason, as insurers often try to exaggerate a victim’s level of fault to reduce payouts.

Do you have a paralysis injury lawyer near me?

HawkLaw P.A. proudly serves Greenville and clients throughout South Carolina. Our Greenville office is located at 3 Caledon Ct # A, Greenville, SC 29615, near the Social Security Administration building.

Reach Out To Our Paralysis Injury Lawyers in Greenville If You’ve Suffered from a Life-Changing Accident

Paralysis injuries can be the result of any number of devastating accidents, but one thing that they share in common is that the person injured almost always faces significant financial and emotional hardships, as well as long-term or even lifelong disability. To make matters worse, personal injury cases involving paralysis also come with unique legal challenges that are near impossible to handle without strong legal guidance.

For over 20 years, our firm has dedicated our experience, resources, and knowledge of local and state laws surrounding these cases to help victims and their families receive the support they need throughout what is often one of the most tragic events of their lives. Whether you have a simple question about the information above or need immediate representation, we encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation* to review your options.