Paraplegia and Paralysis Injury Lawyers – We Service the Entire State of Louisiana

If your injury is leaving you or a loved one as a paraplegic, our lawyers can help you receive compensation to cover the expenses of the injury. We understand that this injury sadly offers a lifetime of expenses and misery, that’s why we will seek the highest possible payout to get those lifetime expenses covered. We know that with our experience this is possible. We can’t promise it, but we can promise we will work our absolute hardest for you. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible. You can always just chat us, our call. Our lawyers will be standing by.

What Is Paraplegia?

Paraplegia is defined as the paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs, usually due to disease or an injury to the spinal cord. The disease or injury results in the loss of feeling and movement in the legs and in some cases, part of the upper torso. Which means there’s a possibility you may never be able to walk or run ever again. This makes it nearly impossible to do the things you currently take on in your life.

If you or a loved one has suffered paraplegia due to another’s negligence, let an experienced spinal cord injury attorney from our firm take the needed steps to protect your rights. Our firm has represented thousands of personal injury victims and is known throughout Louisiana for obtaining high value settlements for our clients.

Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience and have assisted Louisiana clients from Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, Lafayette, Alexandria and the surrounding communities. Contact us today.

Accidents Responsible For Paraplegia

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that there are approximately 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury every year. The number of individuals in the United States suffering from spinal cord injuries has been estimated at approximately 270,000 persons. Spinal cord injury affects young adults the most, and the majority of injuries are to young people between the ages of 16 and 30.

Motor vehicle accidents account for most spinal cord injury cases at 39.2 percent. Following car accidents, the most common causes for spinal cord injury are falls at 28.3 percent and acts of violence at 14.6 percent. Sports are responsible for 8.2 percent of spinal cord injuries and 9.7 percent of spinal cord injuries have an unknown or other cause.

Long Term Impact Of Paralysis

The long-term impact of paraplegia can be felt physically, emotionally, and financially. In addition to losing the ability to walk or stand, the injured individual has lost the majority or all of the sensation in the legs and part of their torso. This puts the injured person at high risk of burn injuries and pressure sores. He or she may also lose control of excretory function, which does not pose a health risk, but can make life extremely challenging.

The medical costs of paraplegia can be overwhelming for any family. The first year costs are approximately $500,000 and annual costs after that time are $66,000 annually, according to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Paraplegia may also lead to loss of consortium with a devastating effect on the individual’s mental health. The long-term impact of paraplegia has far too many aspects to list, as every part of the victim’s life is affected. One may lose his or her ability to work, care for the family or pursue personal goals and dreams.

Questions About Paralysis

Q: Is it possible to recover from paralysis?

A:Depending on the area of injury, some recovery is possible. The degree that the individual will recover is dependent upon the location of the injury, its severity, and the amount of time between the accident that caused the injury and treatment. The National Institute of Health recently reported on a groundbreaking new treatment for spinal cord injury patients, and we hope that further advances are not far in the future.

Q: What kind of research is being done on spinal cord injury and paraplegia?

A:Types of research that focus on ways to stimulate activity and the regeneration of damaged nerve cells are currently in process. These studies include: neurotransmitters, potassium channel blockers, Nogo blockers, Glatiramer, electrical stimulation and stem cell research.

Q: What will happen in rehabilitation?

A:Once a spinal cord injury is stabilized, the injured person enters the rehabilitation phase of treatment. The focus of rehabilitation is to prevent further complications related to your spinal cord injury and for you to learn how to carry out daily functions under new circumstances. Depending on the location of your injury, you may need to learn how to manage bowel and bladder function, perform daily tasks and methods to deal with emotional trauma from the injury.

Sources:

• National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center: Spinal Cord Injury Facts
• National Institute of Health: Spinal Stimulation
• Sci-info-pages: Spinal Cord Injury Facts