Have you or a loved one been paralyzed in an accident in Atlanta, Georgia? Your life has changed forever, and you shouldn’t have to deal with those changes (and related costs) alone. Call Malone Law Our experienced Atlanta paralysis injury lawyers can help you take legal action and demand financial accountability from those responsible for your catastrophic injury.
Since 1965, Malone Law has been a champion for catastrophically injured clients and grieving families in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. As pioneers in catastrophic injury litigation with 50+ years of experience, our award-winning litigators have helped clients move forward after devastating accidents.
Our law firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in life-changing jury verdicts and settlements. Today, we’re ready to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve for your paralysis injury.
Schedule a free consultation by reaching out to our Atlanta, GA law office at (770) 390-7550 today.
How Malone Law Can Help If You’re Paralyzed in an Atlanta, GA Accident
Paralysis is a catastrophic injury because it fundamentally changes the way you live your life. It can adversely impact relationships, put a grinding halt to your career, and inflict debilitating emotional distress.
If someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions cause your paralysis injury, they must take responsibility. Our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you fight for the accountability and maximum financial award you need and deserve.
For more than 50 years, our law firm has been a tenacious advocate for catastrophically injured clients. We’ve cultivated relationships with leading experts and developed an in-depth knowledge of medicine and law that typically applies to complex legal matters like yours.
When you turn to us for help with your paralysis injury case, you’ll be able to count on us to:
- Help you understand your legal rights and options during this difficult time in your life
- Be there to provide support and guidance as you recover
- Coordinate a prompt and in-depth investigation into the accident that caused your paralysis injury
- Gather critical pieces of evidence and build a compelling legal claim for damages
- Consult physiatrists, neurologists, spine specialists, rehabilitation professionals, and other expert witnesses
- Represent you during all negotiations with at-fault parties and/or insurance companies
- Bring your paralysis injury lawsuit to trial in Fulton County, GA if you do not receive a meaningful settlement offer
Paralysis injuries are costly. Hiring an attorney shouldn’t add to your financial burden. That’s why Malone Law works on contingency. We only get paid if our paralysis injury attorneys in Atlanta win your case.
Contact our Atlanta, GA law office today to set up a time to discuss the specific details of your paralysis lawsuit. Your initial case assessment is free.
Understanding Paralysis Injuries
Paralysis is a catastrophic injury that occurs when you are unable to move part of your body. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent and typically is the result of damage to the nervous system. Most often, paralysis injuries are seen after trauma to the brain and/or spinal cord.
Paralysis injuries can be complete or incomplete.
- Complete paralysis injury: involves a total loss of movement and sensation in the affected parts of the body.
- Incomplete paralysis injury: involves a partial loss of function in the affected area. Victims may retain the ability to feel sensations and/or exercise some weakened movement in the injured body parts.
There are many different types of paralysis injuries. Classification generally depends on how much of the body the victim is unable to move, control, and/or feel.
Monoplegia
Monoplegia refers to the paralysis of a single part of the body, usually a limb. While monoplegia can be caused by a traumatic accident, it is often a complication of cerebral palsy.
Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is the paralysis of one side of the body. It is often confused with hemiparesis, which is the weakness of one side of the body. With hemiplegia, the victim is completely unable to move their arm and leg on either the right or left side of the body.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is a serious paralysis condition in which the victim cannot move their trunk and legs. Their lower body is completely immobilized. Typically, the legs, feet, and toes are impacted. In some individuals, their abdomen and arms can also be adversely affected.
Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia
Quadriplegia, or tetraplegia, refers to paralysis of all four limbs. Victims who suffer from quadriplegia are unable to control either of their arms or legs. Abdomen function is also impaired, which can include difficulty controlling the bladder and bowels.
How Much Is My Atlanta Paralysis Injury Case Worth?
No two paralysis injuries are the same. A person who suffers an incomplete monoplegia injury will have a drastically different life than a person who suffers complete tetraplegia.
According to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the average lifetime cost of a paralysis injury causing incomplete motor function is $1.578 million for a 25-year-old victim. On the other hand, a 25-year-old who suffers a high tetraplegia injury can expect more than $4.7 million in lifetime costs.
As a result, the potential value of a related legal claim for damages will vary considerably from one case to another.
Many factors will be relevant when calculating what your paralysis injury case may be worth:
- What type of paralysis injury have you suffered?
- Is your paralysis injury complete or incomplete?
- Do your doctors suspect that you’ll be able to recover?
- Are you able to continue working?
- How has your earning capacity changed since you were paralyzed?
- Do you require personal care assistance or nursing assistance?
- Can you continue to live on your own?
- What medical devices or equipment do you require?
- What impact has your paralysis injury had on your quality of life and emotional well-being?
Your age, shared responsibility for the underlying cause of your paralysis injury, and changes in your life expectancy will also factor in when determining the value of your legal claim.
Make the most of your fight for compensation by putting an experienced and successful Atlanta catastrophic injury attorney in your corner. At Malone Law, our top-rated Georgia trial attorneys have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for catastrophically injured clients and grieving families. Put our experience to work for you and set yourself up for the financial payout you deserve.
What Causes Most Paralysis Injuries in Atlanta?
Spinal cord injuries are the leading cause of paralysis in the United States.
Specifically, some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries and paralysis include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Falls from heights
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Birth injury
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective products
- Assault and criminal attacks
When a paralysis injury is the result of another person’s negligence or intentionally harmful actions, you reserve the right to hold them responsible for your costs and suffering. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Atlanta can help you navigate a legal claim and fight for the financial award you need to move forward with your life.
What Damages Can Be Awarded to Paralysis Victims in Atlanta?
As the victim of an avoidable paralysis injury in Atlanta, you can potentially recover economic damages and non-economic damages for:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical equipment and devices
- Home and vehicle modifications necessary to accommodate your paralysis injury
- Transportation and housing costs required for medical treatment
- Disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Under Georgia law, punitive damages can also be available if your paralysis injury is the result of another’s intentionally harmful or grossly negligent conduct.
What Are My Legal Options If a Paralysis Injury Is Fatal?
Statistically speaking, individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury and/or paralysis are two to five times more likely to die prematurely than those who don’t suffer a similar injury.
The risk of premature death is highest in the first year of becoming paralyzed.
Paralysis can cause premature death by adversely affecting a person’s respiratory system, cardiac function, and brain function.
If you’ve lost a close family member to a fatal paralysis injury in Atlanta, it’s important to consider your legal rights. Through a wrongful death lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for the full value of your loved one’s life.
Specifically, you can potentially get damages for:
- Lost wages and financial support that the victim would have provided if they’d survived
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Value of lost household support
- Medical expenses paid prior to the victim’s death
- Pain and suffering experienced by the victim
Losing a family member unexpectedly is never easy, especially after having watched them struggle with a debilitating paralysis injury. Turn to Malone Law, and trust that our Atlanta paralysis injury attorneys will help you fight for everything you’ve lost.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Paralysis Injury Lawsuits in Georgia?
Yes. With a few limited exceptions, you must file a paralysis injury lawsuit within two years of the date of your injury.
Wrongful death lawsuits are also subject to the two-year statute of limitations, but the deadline begins to run on the date of the victim’s death.
You must file your legal claim before the statute of limitations expires to preserve your legal rights. Once time runs out, you’ll lose the ability to demand the compensation you need.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Atlanta Paralysis Injury Lawyer
Are you struggling with a debilitating paralysis injury from a recent accident in Atlanta, GA? Has a close family member died after being paralyzed through little-to-no fault of their own? Contact Malone Law.
You may have the right to pursue monetary compensation for your injuries, costs, and suffering. Our Atlanta paralysis injury lawyers can help you fight for the maximum payout you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation by calling our Malone Law office at (770) 390-7550 today.