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Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

The spine and its nerves are responsible for controlling movement, organ functions, sensations, and more. Unfortunately, injuries to the spine may impose severe limits on an individual’s movement and coordination, and some may result in paralysis. If you’ve been in such an accident, contact an experienced personal attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.

Paralysis can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the spinal cord injury. Accident-victims who suffer from temporary paralysis below the point of injury in the spine often require hospitalization to relieve pressure and swelling of the spinal cord, and some may undergo surgical procedures to reduce pressure (and associated pain) and/or improve neurological function. Fortunately, most patients regain movement and some flexibility within three weeks of the accident as the pressure and swelling subside, and a more stable ability of movement can be expected after one year.

Severe spinal cord injuries may result in permanent paralysis, which is known as “paraplegia” in the lower extremities of the body. Common complications of paraplegia include pneumonia, pressure sores, and formation of blood clots (thrombosis). However, both the general prognosis and overall life expectancy for paraplegics have improved significantly over time as technological innovations continue to improve their mobility and contribute to their independence.

“Quadriplegia” occurs when a victim of a spinal cord injury permanently loses all movement and sensory function in all four limbs and the torso, which may also result in impairment or complete loss of control of breathing, digestion, and the bladder/bowels. Generally, the life expectancy for quadriplegics is lower than that of paraplegics due to the wider variety of medical complications, such as cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, pressure sores, respiratory infections, thrombosis, and spasticity.

Holding the at-fault party legally accountable for an auto accident requires the establishment of four key elements which constitute negligence, which is legally defined as “a situation when someone owes a duty to another person and fails in that duty, therefore becoming liable for any resulting injuries.”

The first element is duty: the defendant, be it an individual, business, or government agency, must have owed a legal duty of care to the deceased victim. In this case, the duty to drive safely and with reasonable caution on public roads applies to all drivers and motorists. The second is “breach,” meaning the defendant must have failed to uphold his/her legal duty of care to the deceased victim, such as by reckless, distracted, or intoxicated driving.

The third is “causation,” meaning that the defendant’s breached duty of care, whether via action or inaction, must have been the direct (proximate) cause of the victim’s injuries and paralysis which would not have occurred otherwise. Finally, the fourth element is “damages,” which represents the damages, expenses, and losses you’ve sustained due to the accident. For victims who become paralyzed, these damages may encompass a range of past and future medical expenses as well as lost wages (when the victim cannot return to the same job after the accident), lost quality of life, and pain and suffering. If the victim is married, the spouse may also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium in some cases.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. Spinal cord injuries can be debilitating and have long-term or permanent complications which reduce your quality of life and ability to work and carry out daily functions. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including present and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

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