At Rikard & Protopapas, we are paralysis injury lawyers serving Columbia. We represent people who have suffered paralysis because of accidents and intentional harm. Victims may receive monetary compensation, and we can represent you to bring a claim.
If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury, we invite you to contact us to talk about your situation. We handle catastrophic injury claims in Columbia, SC and the surrounding region.
Compensation for Paralysis Injury Victims
When you are injured by the actions of others, you may receive financial compensation. A paralysis injury lawyer must identify, value, and claim the losses the victim suffers from. Losses are both economic and non-economic. They may include pain and suffering and the cost of treatment and care.
As Columbia paralysis injury lawyers, we work to represent your interests. We believe that the compensation you receive can be an important part of your future.
About Paralysis Injuries
Paralysis is not being able to voluntarily move the body. It is losing control over body parts that a person can ordinarily move, like their arms, legs, neck, and other muscles. When a person is paralyzed, the brain and body can’t communicate. The brain can’t relay signals or receive sensations of touch.
There are different types and severities of paralysis. It may affect the entire body or just part of it. Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis are usually permanent, but medical and personal care can improve the person’s quality of life and prevent additional injury.
Types of spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury may be complete or incomplete. A complete injury is a total loss of motor function below the injury. An incomplete injury may leave some function and feeling in the affected area.
There are four types of paralysis:
- Monoplegia: Affecting a single limb or area of the body. Monoplegia may be the result of a medical condition, brain trauma, or damaged nerves.
- Hemiplegia: Inability to move one side of the body. It may progress, and functioning may vary over time.
- Paraplegia: Paraplegia prevents a person from moving below the waist. It can also impact bodily functions like excretion and sexual activity. Most paraplegia victims have limited mobility.
- Quadriplegia: Also known as tetraplegia, quadriplegia may affect the entire body below the neck. The disability may vary. Quadriplegia may result from brain trauma or spinal cord damage.
Paralysis Injury Statistics
According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, 18,000 people in the United States are paralyzed each year. More than 300,000 people in the United States live with a form of paralysis.
Leading causes of paralysis injury:
- Car accidents and all motor vehicle collisions
- Accidental falls
- Violence, including gunshot wounds
- Sports and recreation incidents
Medical issues like stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis can cause paralysis. People with paralysis and their families suffer economically. Only 15.5% of people with paralysis are employed, compared to 63.1% of people who don’t have a disability.
Source: Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Paralysis in the U.S.
Legal Representation for Paralysis Victims
The Rikard & Protopapas lawyers handle all aspects of your claim. Our focus is on identifying your damages, understanding that paralysis is a life-changing injury that requires careful attention to fully value the claim, and securing compensation for your injuries.
We offer:
- Preliminary case preparation including evaluating the grounds for a claim and sources of compensation.
- Case building of all elements needed to prove the claim, with a focus on proving the severity of injuries and that the accident is the cause of harm.
- Attention to detail so that your economic and non-economic damages are fully valued, including future medical expenses, and the costs of personal care.
- Lawyers who communicate throughout the case, answer your questions, and work with you to create a legal strategy.
- A team of 10 attorneys strong with a full support staff and the resources needed for success.
- 119 years of collective experience, based in the Columbia, South Carolina area.
- Tens of millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients.
- Free consultations and contingency fees are available.
If you are suffering from paralysis, your life has changed. Financial compensation can improve your quality of life. We offer full-service representation throughout your case, seeking the compensation due under the law.
If You or a Loved One Suffered Paralysis, Talk to Us
For your free consultation, talk to a lawyer at Rikard & Protopapas in Columbia. We can meet you in the hospital, at home, a care facility, or at another place that is convenient for you. Learn what you should know about a possible legal claim. Get answers to your questions from our experienced lawyers.
Our paralysis injury lawyers are currently taking new cases. Contact us to begin.