Kentucky paralysis lawyers

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Kentucky Paralysis Lawyers

Caring, aggressive representation when accidents cause paralysis

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The diagnosis of paralysis is crushing. Paralysis is a catastrophic injury that often changes a victim’s life forever. Many victims who have partial or full paralysis are confined to a wheelchair or a bed. With assistive help, rehabilitative care, and mental health counseling (all of which cost a lot of money), some victims can move forward with their lives. At Crandall & Pera, we hold vehicle drivers, healthcare providers, nursing homes, property owners, and others accountable when their negligence causes paralysis and/or other types of spinal cord damage. Our Kentucky paralysis lawyers demand compensation for all of your (or a loved one’s) physical and emotional damages.

Our record of verdicts and settlements includes the following paralysis recoveries:

  • $10 million jury verdict. Our client was paralyzed when a surgeon negligently plunged an instrument he was using into our client’s spinal cord, causing permanent damage. The funds are being used for the victim’s education, equipment, housing modifications, and future medical care, including research and care into curing his paralysis.
  • $7.1 million settlement. We obtained this amount in a medical malpractice case for our client who suffered paralysis due to negligent cardiac surgery.
  • $6 million settlement. We obtained this recovery for a woman who suffered paralysis due to medical malpractice. Her doctor convinced her to undergo a complex surgery to treat her lumbar pain when a simpler procedure was more advisable. The complex procedure resulted in paralysis and the loss of bladder and bowel control due to a surgical spacer that was left inside her spinal canal, leading to compression of her spinal cord.
  • $3.15 million settlement. We obtained this recovery for a young teenager who suffered permanent paralysis from the waist down due to surgery that should have been stopped due to warning signs of danger. Due to the settlement, our client was able to attend a prestigious university and was able to design her home to accommodate her paralysis.

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Table of Contents

What is paralysis?

According to Medical News Today, paralysis is “the loss of voluntary muscle function in one or more parts of the body as a result of damage to the nervous system.” There are two parts to your nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system contains the nerves outside of the central nervous system. Your nerve cells (neurons) regulate muscle movement and send the brain information about pain, temperature, pressure, and other sensory information. Paralysis occurs when damage to the nerves, spinal cord, or brain prevents the transmission of these nerve signals.

How is the severity of paralysis categorized?

Medical News Today classifies paralysis based on the following factors:

  • Partial paralysis (paresis) causes movement impairment and muscle weakness. Victims do retain some ability to control the affected muscles. Complete paralysis occurs when a person cannot move the affected body part.
  • Some types of paralysis, such as Bell’s palsy, are temporary. Severe injuries from accidents may also cause permanent paralysis.
  • Local paralysis affects the face, feet, hands, or another small body area. General paralysis affects a larger area and/or multiple body parts. The types of paralysis, by location, include the following affected areas of the body:
    • One area of the body, such as one leg or one arm
    • An arm and a leg on the same side of the body.’
    • This type of paralysis affects the lower body, including both legs and possibly the hips and lower abdominal organs.
    • This type of paralysis affects both arms and legs, “and sometimes muscles in the trunk, the functions of internal organs, or both.”

“Spastic paralysis causes muscle stiffness, involuntary spasms, and muscle weakness.”

What types of accidents in Kentucky cause paralysis?

Paralysis may be due to different types of blunt trauma, such as the following:

Other causes of paralysis due to negligence include medical malpractice and the failure of nursing homes to respond to stroke symptoms in a timely manner.

What are the signs and symptoms of paralysis?

The symptoms of paralysis vary. Possible symptoms include:

  • Loss of muscle function in the affected parts of the body.
  • Weak muscles.
  • Pain or numbness in the affected muscles.
  • Muscle atrophy – visible indications of muscle loss.
  • Involuntary spasms or twitches.
  • Loss of sensation.
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How do doctors diagnose paralysis in Kentucky?

Doctors will normally conduct an oral examination (if possible) and a physical examination. Usually, a neurologist makes the diagnosis of paralysis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, diagnostic tests for paralysis include:

  • X-rays that examine if you have a broken bone.
  • MRIs and CT scans to analyze if you have a stroke, brain injury, or a spinal cord injury.
  • A myelogram to look for nerve and spinal cord injuries.
  • An electromyogram is used to examine the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
  • Spinal tap(lumbar puncture). This diagnostic test examines the “spinal fluid for infection, inflammation, and disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS).”

What difficulties do accident victims who have paralysis face?

At Crandall & Pera Law, we review the possible complications that may develop during the lifetime of anyone who is suffering from paralysis. Any settlement or verdict should account for the reasonable likelihood that these complications may occur.

Possible complications, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:

  • Respiratory difficulties such as problems with breathing, coughing, or the development of pneumonia.
  • Blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
  • Difficulties with speech or swallowing (dysphagia).
  • Depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
  • Excessively high or low blood pressure.
  • Bladder or bowel difficulties.
  • Sexual difficulties.
  • Sepsis.

What are the treatments for paralysis?

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Some types of temporary paralysis can improve without treatment. Currently, there is no cure for permanent paralysis. The treatments focus on managing the symptoms. The Cleveland Clinic states that the treatments for paralysis include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Exercises and assistive devices can help accident victims live independent lives. Some of the assistive devices that can help paralysis victims include:

  • Adaptive equipment for driving and eating.
  • Assistive equipment, such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and scooters.
  • Prosthetic and orthotic devices.
  • Computers, phones, lighting systems, and other technology that patients activate with their voice.
  • Treatments for certain complications, such as urinary and bowel control, and spasticity.

How much is a paralysis claim worth in Kentucky?

Our Kentucky paralysis lawyers work with your doctors to understand the full range of medical care you will need (including care for likely complications) and the daily physical and emotional challenges you face. We work with life planners and economists to help place a value on your medical and financial needs.

At Crandall & Pera Law, we demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including the following:

  • Medical expenses of every nature including emergency care, hospitalizations, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapy, psychological counseling, assistive help, and medications
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of income and benefits, including permanent disability compensation
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations)
  • Any other financial or personal damages, such as the cost of modifying a home to accommodate the paralysis

Do you have a Kentucky paralysis lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet paralysis victims and their families at our office located at 201 E Main St., Suite 530, in
Lexington, KY. If your paralysis makes travel difficult, we can arrange to see you at your home or another convenient location. We also consult with clients by phone and through online video discussions.

We’re prepared to explain your rights and fight for all the compensation that you deserve.

Get help from Crandall & Pera now

Paralysis is a life-changing injury. For victims with permanent paralysis, every day of their lives is challenging. At Crandall & Pera Law, we hold the people responsible for changing your life liable. We work aggressively to obtain the funds you deserve and need to restart your life. Call our Kentucky paralysis attorneys or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.