Unfortunately, each day people in Florida and throughout the United States are injured in accidents. In serious cases, accident victims are partially or completely paralyzed. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we understand the devastating financial, emotional, and physical consequences that paralysis can have on an accident victim and their entire family. While no amount of money can make up for the harm, compensation can help provide the medical support and resources needed for a stable life.
Spinal cord injuries can result in either partial or complete paralysis. Paralysis of the lower extremities is known as paraplegia, whereas paralysis of both the arms and legs is known as quadriplegia.
Paralysis can happen in a variety of ways, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice cases, and acts of violence. The Mayo Clinic reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States, accounting for over 35 percent of new injuries each year. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20 percent of all spinal cord injuries are caused by fall accidents.
In many cases, a spinal cord injury takes place because of someone else’s negligence. Negligence is the failure to take reasonable care in one’s actions or omissions. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent or sensible person would act in the same or similar circumstances. For example, a driver who is recklessly speeding and causes an accident would likely be liable for the harm. This is because a prudent driver would understand that recklessly speeding could cause foreseeable harm to others on the road.
In order to prevail on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed the victim a duty of care, the defendant violated the duty of care, the victim’s harm was a direct result of the defendant’s violation, and quantifiable damages arose. It is important to note that all of these elements must be established before a plaintiff can recover damages.
Individuals who suffer from either partial or complete paralysis often deal with the consequences over their lifetime. As a result, an accident victim can typically recover medical bills for rehabilitation costs, prescription drugs, and therapy as well as lost income, pain and suffering, and other forms of damages. The exact amount of compensation an individual will be able to recover will vary depending on the nature and extent of his or her injuries.
Negligence cases are complex, and having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference in your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami personal injury attorneys understand the nuances of this area of law. Our team can explore the facts of your case and determine the strength of your legal claims. While we aim to settle every case as efficiently as possible, we are not afraid to vigorously advocate for you in the courtroom if necessary. To learn more, do not hesitate to call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online.
More Blog Posts:
Taxi Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 14, 2015
Federal Court in Florida Remands Slip and Fall Case Due to Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 14, 2015
Fatal Car Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, September 25, 2015