Paralysis is one of the most devastating and life-altering injuries a child can suffer. Injuries to the spinal cord can cause partial or full paralysis and can be due to a birth injury, a congenital disorder, an infection, sports injury, or an accident. Regardless of the cause, paralysis often has ongoing medical care that can reach into the millions.
If your child has suffered paralysis due to the negligence of another person, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. 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.
Causes of Paralysis
Paralysis can be caused by a number of reasons, including:
- Medical malpractice-Birth injuries, such as excessive force or rotational stress, can injure the spine and nerves of a newborn, resulting in partial or full paralysis, or conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, Klumpke’s Palsy, brachial plexus injuries, facial paralysis, and diaphragm paralysis.
- Infections-Mothers who experience an infection during pregnancy that is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, such as syphilis, can be passed to an unborn child, causing developmental delays and paralysis.
- Vehicular accidents-More than 39% of spinal cord injuries are sustained in an accident involving a motor vehicle. This can include cars and trucks, as well as bicycles, ATV’s, dirt bikes, and boats.
- Sports injuries-Sports, while a great way to stay active and learn the value of teamwork, come with a level of risk that can put student athletes in danger of severe head and spinal injuries that can lead to lifelong paralysis.
- Acts of violence-Child abuse, bullying, fights, gunshots, and other types of violence can seriously injure a child both psychologically and physically, and in some cases cause paralysis.
Types of Paralysis
Paralysis has different forms. Quadriplegia involves paralysis of all limbs, while paraplegia involves loss of sensation and movement to the lower half of the body. Triplegia involves loss of feeling and control in one arm and both legs, while monoplegia involves loss of feeling and control in one arm or one leg. Finally, hemiplegia involves the loss of feeling and control in one arm and one leg on the same side of the body.
The severity of paralysis will depend on the area of the spinal cord that is affected. Cervical vertebrae injuries affect the neck, thoracic vertebrae injuries affect the middle of the back, and lumbar vertebrae injuries affect the lower back.
Typically, cervical injuries are among the most severe, while some victims with thoracic and lumbar injuries can relearn to walk with braces. However, each type of injury has the potential for complete paralysis.
Costs of Paralysis
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates staggering medical costs for paralysis victims. First-year costs range between $770,000 to $1 million, with each subsequent year ranging between $113,000 and $185,000. For a paralyzed child and their family, this number can be staggering.
Unfortunately, there are more than monetary costs to paralysis. Children who are paralyzed are at risk for serious complications and a diminished quality of life.
If your child has suffered a partial or complete paralysis due to the negligence of another party, they deserve compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case and determine who is liable for their injuries and what damages they will be entitled to.
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, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
