Paraplegia Causes and Personal Injury Lawsuit Options By Lynn Harris on January 28, 2016

Paraplegia is a life-altering condition. If you have lost the use of your legs due to an accident, you are feeling adrift and confused. Your family and loved ones are suffering, as well, and financial worries are contributing to your distress. In these cases, you may be eligible to wage a personal injury claim. There are many different legal options. You could file an auto accident, premises liability, defective product, or medical malpractice claim. Attorney Lynn Harris has experience in all of these branches of personal injury law. After determining whether you have a viable case, he will choose the best way to go forward. Throughout the process, he will provide compassionate assistance, knowing the difficulties you are experiencing. To learn more about paraplegia causes and your lawsuit options, contact our Salt Lake City, UT practice today.

What Causes Paraplegia?

Paraplegia is the result of a spinal injury, causing full or partial paralysis in your lower body. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of paraplegia. You could be ejected from the car, which could cause serious spinal cord injuries. You could also be injured due to seatbelt failure or roof collapse. Other types of accidents can also cause paraplegia. For example, falls, slips, construction site accidents, theme park accidents, faulty escalators, and countless other factors can lead to serious injuries. Tragically, some negligent doctors could cause spinal damage. This is most likely to occur if a surgeon is operating near the spine, and he or she damages the nerves.

Do You Have a Viable Claim?

Paraplegia and personal injury cases can vary widely. However, you must meet certain criteria for each type of case. Attorney Harris will evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine whether your claim will hold up in court.

Auto accidents: If your collision was caused by a reckless driver, you likely have a valid claim. Car accident cases in Utah can quite complex because we have “comparative liability laws.” Under this legislation, if you were more than 50 percent responsible for an accident, you are not able to recover financial compensation. Mr. Harris understands the intricacies of these laws, and he will work hard to protect your rights.
Product liability: Your auto accident may have been caused by defective tires, brakes, or steering. In other cases, you may have sustained more serious injuries because of faulty seatbelts, airbags, or other vehicle parts. In these instances, you may be able to wage a product liability case on its own or in conjunction with your auto accident claim.
Premises liability: Premises liability, or slip and fall, cases can also be complicated. For a valid claim, the property owner must have had sufficient time to know about any existing dangers.
Medical malpractice: To prove medical malpractice, your attorney must show that your physician used improper techniques, unsafe equipment, or careless methods. In other cases, you could have a malpractice claim if your doctor overlooked serious symptoms.

Why Wage a Lawsuit?

It is certainly true that a legal case will not restore your physical mobility. Nevertheless, after a serious accident, you may have a mountain of bills. Insurance will only cover so much. You may also have been temporarily out of work for your recovery. If you had a physical job, you may not be able to return to work at all. A successful lawsuit can help you obtain funds for medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, counseling, and any other expenses. You may also be able to recover money for pain and suffering, as well as funds to help support your dependents. Attorney Harris will fight aggressively in negotiation or in court. He will keep you fully informed about the proceedings. At the same time, he will also make the process as stress-free as possible so that you can focus on your recovery and restarting your life.