Hixson Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Paralysis occurs when the nerves in the body are damaged. The most serious types of paralysis are caused by damage to the spinal cord, which sometimes occurs from an accident. Motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, medical errors, falls, work injuries, and other circumstances could lead to spinal cord damage causing permanent or temporary paralysis.

A dedicated Hixson paralysis injury lawyer could build a compelling case that covers more than just the circumstances surrounding your paralysis accident. You need an attorney who is relentless and thorough in their investigation to reveal evidence to prove liability and losses, of which there may be exceptions to limits.

Compensatory Losses a Hixson Paralysis Victim Could Seek

Since any type of paralysis injury has the potential to be significantly life-changing and costly, many injured individuals choose to seek compensation in a civil lawsuit against the party who caused their injuries. With the help of a Hixson paralysis injury attorney, victims could ask for both special and general damages.

Special damages cannot be awarded unless they are measurable and demonstratable. Typically, they are restitution for losses that could be assigned a specific dollar amount with written estimates, statements, receipts, or bills.

Examples of special damages include:

  • Loss of income
  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and long-term care expenses
  • Medical equipment and devices
  • Legal fees

General damages are impossible to measure and subjective. They include:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages Could Apply in a Paralysis Injury Case

In addition to the compensatory damages a paralysis injury lawyer in Hixson could win on behalf of a victim, a lawyer could also ask for punitive damages. Instead of compensating victims with general and actual damages for their injuries, punitive damages are assigned by a judge or a jury to punish the defendant for his or her reckless, wanton, or willful actions. However, punitive damages must be requested in order for the jury to consider them and are rare for most cases.

As found in Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-39-104, punitive damages are capped at either twice the amount of awarded compensatory damages or $500,000. However, because all cases are unique, there could be exceptions that apply to damage caps.

Proving Negligence in Hixson

Proving damages is only one part of a complex paralysis injury case. In order to seek damages, a lawyer must convince the judge or the jury that the defendant is liable for their client’s injuries. This is usually accomplished by using the legal pillar of negligence.

Negligence occurs when a person fails to use the care that a reasonably prudent person would in the same situation. In most cases, the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, whether the wrongdoer was a victim’s physician, a fellow driver, or a property owner.

When a defendant fails to uphold this duty, thus causing an error or accident, that subsequently causes a victim harm, then that defendant is negligent.

Help from a Knowledgeable Hixson Paralysis Injury Attorney

Instead of worrying about how you or your family member could function or be supported for the duration of his or her injury, reach out to a knowledgeable Hixson paralysis injury lawyer for help. An attorney could review your case to determine a legal strategy that could lead to the compensation that you deserve for your life-altering injury. Call today to learn more.