One of the most severe types of paralysis a person can endure is known as quadriplegia, also commonly referred to as tetraplegia. Most quadriplegics experience some form of paralysis in their arms and legs. However, there are quadriplegia cases where the patient is unable to use other parts of their body including their neck, head, shoulders, or back. The extent of the paralysis depends on the severity of the damage done to the spinal cord.
Quadriplegics aren’t only faced with the trauma of paralysis, but they must also accept the fact there is no ultimate cure. Injured quadriplegics can retain some of their mobility, but it often requires a lot of costly treatments that are sometimes invasive. Although these treatments may help, all quadriplegics will struggle with some form of paralysis for the rest of their life. That is why it’s imperative you seek legal representation if you sustained a spinal cord injury because of a person or company’s negligence. If evidence is found their direct actions led to your catastrophic injury, then you could be entitled to compensation for all your losses.
Injury Lawyer for Quadriplegics in Bellingham, Washington
No cure may exist for quadriplegia, but you can still hold the party who caused your injury responsible. If you’ve been paralyzed because of another person’s negligence or lack of reasonable care, then get in contact with PNW Trial Lawyers. Our team of experienced Washington paralysis attorneys have the industry experience and statutory knowledge necessary to handle the most complex cases. Let the attorneys at PNW Trial Lawyers help you recover with experienced and skilled legal representation.
Set up your first consultation with the attorneys at PNW Trial Lawyers by calling our office at (360) 483-5201. PNW Trial Lawyers accepts clients throughout the greater Whatcom County area as well as surrounding counties including Skagit County and Snohomish County.
Information Center:
What Causes Quadriplegia?
Quadriplegia occurs when the cervical area of the spinal cord sustains serious trauma. The damage to the spinal cord, known as a lesion, will ultimately cause the person to lose partial or total function of all four limbs. The lesion can be caused by trauma such as a traffic collision or a diving accident, or it can be caused by disease such as multiple sclerosis.
The following are some common causes of quadriplegia.
- Sports Accidents – Some sports require a lot of contact and can result in serious accidents. Sports that commonly yield spinal cord injuries include lacrosse, rugby, soccer, hockey, and football.
- Car Accidents – The impact of an automobile accident could damage a person’s spine enough to render them paralyzed. Traffic accidents with the highest risk of a spinal cord injury include head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and T-bone crashes.
- Slip and Falls – Although slip and falls sound minor, they can result in serious injury to the spine. This is especially true if the person falling was climbing a ladder or up on a high edge where they could fall on their back.
- Truck Accidents – Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The sheer size and weight of trucks increase the chance of catastrophic injury if an accident occurs.
- Workplace Accidents – Certain industries have a higher chance of spinal cord injury due to the fast-paced and possibly dangerous nature of the job. Some places of employment where spinal cord injuries happen frequently at include retail establishments, warehouses, restaurants, construction sites, and factories.
- Medical Malpractice or Error – If your spinal cord injury didn’t occur because of a physical trauma, it may have been due to a medical error. Mistakes during surgery are one of the biggest contenders for quadriplegics in the U.S. This includes birthing errors that may happen to either mother or child.
Difference Between Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
Although they are both forms of paralysis, paraplegia and quadriplegia are two distinct conditions. Paraplegia is when a person suffers from complete or partial paralysis in both legs. For some paraplegics, other parts of the body are paralyzed such as the lower abdomen. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term “paraparesis,” which is where a person has partial paralysis because of muscle stiffness or weakness.
Quadriplegics, sometimes referred to as tetraplegics, face paralysis in all four limbs. That means both their legs and arms are paralyzed by their spinal cord injury. Some quadriplegics have other parts of the body paralyzed including their abdomen, shoulders, neck, or back. Quadriplegia can even affect some internal organs in the abdomen. Both forms of paralysis are caused by spinal cord injuries from either trauma, disease, or a congenital disorder.
How Much Compensation Will I Get for a Spinal Cord Injury?
If your spinal cord injury was a result of another’s negligence or reckless actions, you could be entitled to compensation. Washington recognizes the severe stress a person may go through after a spinal cord injury. Because of this, the state allows the injured to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party if their paralysis was caused by another’s negligence.
The average settlement for a spinal cord injury will depend on the facts of the case as well as how severe your paralysis is. If you’re able to sway the court, the judge may gift you with a monetary award. The purpose of the reward is to provide compensation for all the losses you’ve experienced since the injury. Some of these damages are economical such as lost wages, and others are emotional such as pain and suffering.
Listed below are some possible damages you may recover after a spinal cord injury lawsuit.
- Medical bills
- In-home care service expenses
- Current and future rehabilitation costs
- Wheelchair and other accommodation costs
- Lost income
- Loss of future wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment for life
Additional Resources
United Spinal Association – Visit the official website for the United Spinal Association, which is a nonprofit organization whose mission to empower those suffering with spinal cord injuries or disorders. Access the site to learn how you can become a member, find support from others suffering from a spinal cord injury, your rights as a disabled person, and resources.
Quadriplegia & Paraplegia | Winchester Hospital – Visit the official website for the Winchester Hospital to learn more about spinal cord injuries quadriplegia and paraplegia. Access the site to learn possible causes, symptoms of both, how to get diagnosed, and treatments.
Quadriplegia Injury Attorney in Bellingham, WA
You shouldn’t have to suffer with your spinal cord injury without holding the at-fault party responsible. Find out if your case has an argument for compensation by calling the attorneys at PNW Trial Lawyers. Our skilled Bellingham spinal cord injury lawyers have years of experience we can utilize for your case. In addition, we often assist our clients by sharing their vast knowledge of specialized services, benefits, and resources to improve their client’s quality of life.
Schedule your first consultation free of charge by calling PNW Trial Lawyers at (360) 483-5201. PNW Trial Lawyers has offices in Bellingham, but accepts clients in nearby communities such as Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Birch Bay, Sumas, Deming, and Maple Falls.