If you or a loved one have experienced paralysis, it may be the result of a medical error, whether it is directly caused by a doctor’s surgical error or by a failure to treat a medical issue in a competent, timely manner. Catastrophic medical malpractice cases, such as those involving paralysis, neurological damage, or other life-altering injuries may be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. Read on to learn more about how the legal team at Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC, can work to help those who have been harmed by healthcare professionals recover damages in cases of medical malpractice.
What Is Paralysis Medical Malpractice?
Sometimes a medical procedure, no matter how seemingly ordinary, can result in brain or spinal damage, leaving the patient paralyzed. Nearly 1 in 50 Americans is living with some form of paralysis, but they should never have to deal with loss of movement due to preventable medical error.
Paralysis medical malpractice may involve some or all of the body being paralyzed:
- Many successful facial paralysis cases have been brought over the last century
- Postoperative radial paralysis, a frequent complication of upper arm surgery after falls, car accidents, and other accident-causing injuries
- Diaphragmatic paralysis, which results in breathing complications and reduction in oxygen levels, may result from medical errors during prostate surgery
Paralysis is especially tragic when it is avoidable. In spite of all the training medical professionals receive, they can make mistakes for a variety of reasons, but when paralysis is involved, you shouldn’t be the one to pay for someone else’s mistake. Many complications can arise from paralysis, and it is often an issue that grows worse over time as the consequences deepen.
If you believe that your situation was avoidable and came as the result of medical malpractice, reach out to the experienced injury lawyers at JJS for a legal consultation. A medical malpractice attorney can provide you with professional help navigating the legal and medical waters to pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Do You Need to Prove in a Paralysis Medical Malpractice Case?
In order to prove that your paralysis is eligible for a medical malpractice case, you must first determine if your situation meets a few general criteria for malpractice.
- Duty of care. The medical professional you are considering suing was responsible for your care.
- Violation of standard of care. The healthcare provider violated practices that the general medical community would consider standard.
- Injuries. That negligence or error resulted in injury.
- Damages. The injury has resulted in negative financial, emotional, or similar consequences.
There are a number of errors that healthcare professionals could make that can lead to paralysis; understanding these can be helpful when evaluating whether malpractice was the cause of your paralysis. Knowing these will also help you determine your eligibility for a malpractice lawsuit and whether to consult a medical malpractice lawyer. They include:
- Complications or injuries that arise during childbirth as a result of a poorly managed delivery
- Nerve damage due to excessive tearing or stretching
- Excessive and unnecessary use of force during surgery
- Surgical errors near the brain or spine during surgery
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose sickness or tumors
- Misreading of test results or scans
How Are Medical Malpractice Cases Involving Paralysis Resolved?
The first step toward the resolution of a medical malpractice case is to reach out to an experienced malpractice lawyer. Malpractice cases can be long and complex, and without expert legal help, they can become painfully overwhelming for you and your loved ones.
Because the statute of limitations—the period during which you can file a lawsuit—can be short, it is vital that you reach out to Janet, Janet & Suggs for a consultation as quickly as you can. An initial consultation isn’t a commitment, and it will help you get all the facts you need in order to come to a decision.
If you have a case for legal liability, your malpractice lawyers will work to reach either a settlement or a judgment in your favor. Compensation for these cases will vary depending on a few factors:
- Doctor and hospital bills—past, current, and future
- Lost income—past, current, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Quality of life concerns
In our years of representing victims of medical malpractice, JJS has achieved hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. A verdict for one of our clients in Iowa resulted in an award of over $18 million when paralysis was caused by a medication error. While the award amount for paralysis cases will vary, the one thing that remains consistent is the JJS team’s commitment to fighting for your win, whether that’s a settlement or a favorable trial verdict.
Why Should You Choose Janet, Janet & Suggs?
For over 40 years, the legal and medical team of Janet, Janet & Suggs has championed those impacted by the errors of healthcare professionals, achieving hundreds of millions of dollars in record-breaking verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our experienced attorneys and network of expert witnesses will help you find your way through the complex process of your medical malpractice case to seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries:
- Conduct an in-depth investigation of the circumstances of your injury to find out when negligence occurred.
- Carefully review medical records and treatments you are receiving to determine the severity of your injury and all of the ways it affects you on a daily basis.
- Consult medical experts if necessary to prove the injury could have only been caused by negligence.
- Determine a fair amount of compensation to cover all physical, financial and emotional damages from your injury.
- Negotiate with insurance companies and lawyers for the other side if they offer to settle.
- Take your case to trial if we do not receive a fair settlement offer, given your medical expenses and other damages caused by your injury.
- Charge no legal fees unless your claim has a favorable outcome through a settlement or courtroom verdict.
The personal injury attorneys at JJS have recovered millions in compensation for victims of negligence, including medical malpractice, and we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we collect no fees unless your case is won. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.