Paralysis Injury Compensation Claims

What types of paralysis compensation claims can I make?

You can make a paralysis compensation claim if you are injured in an accident that was not your fault. There are many scenarios in which you might suffer paralysis and be able to claim compensation as a result. Some of the common personal injury claims of this nature that we often deal with include, but are not limited to:]

• Work-related accidents: if you suffered paralysis due to a work accident, particularly in high-risk jobs, your employer may be liable for failing to provide a safe work environment.
• Road traffic accidents: if a road accident caused your paralysis and you were not at fault, you can seek compensation from the responsible party.
• Public liability: if your paralysis occurred due to a trip, slip, or fall in a public place due to poor maintenance or negligence, you could claim compensation.

It is essential to remember that every claim is unique, and your eligibility for compensation may depend on various factors. Our legal team can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
 

How can compensation help with a paralysis injury?

Compensation from a paralysis injury claim is designed to restore, as far as possible, the quality of life and independence that the injured party enjoyed prior to the injury. Because of the complicated nature of a serious accident, there may be several aspects to this. Compensation can assist with:

• Medical costs: these include expenses for immediate and ongoing treatments, surgeries, medication, physiotherapy, and other medical assistance required due to the injury.
• Rehabilitation costs: the costs associated with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological support and any other forms of rehabilitation that are necessary.
• Care and assistance: expenses related to personal care and assistance, including the provision of professional carers or payment for family members who provide care.
• Special equipment and home adaptations: this covers the cost of wheelchairs, specialised beds, hoisting equipment, modifications to the home, vehicles adapted for wheelchair use, and other medical devices you may need.
• Loss of earnings and loss of future pension: if your ability to work has been affected, compensation can cover lost income, both now and in the future.
• Pain and suffering: compensation is also intended to provide a measure of recompense for the physical pain and emotional trauma suffered.

Remember, each case is unique, and compensation will be tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. At Ramsdens Solicitors, we work diligently to ensure that all aspects of your current and future needs are considered when pursuing a compensation claim.

Am I eligible to make a paralysis claim?

Eligibility to make paralysis compensation claims depends on several factors. The key considerations are typically as follows:

• Causation: you must have become paralysed as a result of someone else's negligence or a breach of statutory duty. This could be a doctor's mistake, your employer's failure to maintain safe working conditions, a road user's careless driving, or a property owner's lack of maintenance.
• Timing: typically, you must make your claim within three years of the date on which the incident occurred that caused the paralysis. In some cases, the time limit may instead apply from the date you first became aware that your paralysis was due to someone else's negligence.
• Evidence: to make a successful claim, there needs to be sufficient evidence to demonstrate that your paralysis was caused by someone else's negligence and assign liability to that person or organisation. Evidence can include medical reports, accident reports, witness statements, and any other relevant documents.

Ramsdens can help you to understand whether you are eligible to claim and what for. Simply call us today and we will discuss your situation.

How long does the paralysis claims process take?

The duration of paralysis compensation claims can vary greatly and is influenced by numerous factors. These can include the complexity of the case, the severity of the injury, whether liability is admitted by the party at fault, and the amount of compensation being claimed.

As future care needs and/or loss of earnings must be carefully calculated, the process can take several years.
Throughout this process, our team at Ramsdens Solicitors will strive to secure interim payments wherever possible. These are designed to help meet your immediate financial needs before your claim is settled, and they allow us to take the time that we need to pursue the best possible outcome for your claim.

How does a personal injury solicitor prove a paralysis compensation claim?

Proving a paralysis compensation claim involves demonstrating that your injury was caused by someone else's negligence or failure to uphold a duty of care. At Ramsdens Solicitors, our experienced legal team uses several types of evidence to build a strong case, including:

• Medical records: these documents provide crucial evidence of your injury and its impact on your life. They can help to establish a clear link between the incident and your resulting paralysis.
• Expert opinions: we may consult with medical professionals who can provide specialised insight into how the incident led to your paralysis and the impact it could have on your life.
• Witness statements: if there were any witnesses to the incident, their accounts could serve as vital evidence. We can take formal statements to add to your claim.
• Accident reports: if your injury occurred at work or in a public place, there should be an accident report. We can use this as evidence in your claim.
• Photographs or CCTV footage: images or videos of the incident, the location, or your injuries can further support your case.

Our priority is to present a compelling case on your behalf, to secure the compensation you deserve. Each case is unique, and our dedicated team is ready to give you the personalised, professional advice you need during this difficult time.

About paralysis injuries

The term paralysis is given to a range of injuries in which muscle function has been lost in a part of the body. It can result in a loss of feeling, movement, and other bodily functions. The condition is not usually associated with problems with the muscles themselves, rather with damage to the nerves and the spinal cord, which control these muscles.

There are a number of different types of paralysis, which are outlined below.

• Monoplegia - where one limb is paralysed.
• Hemiplegia - where the arm and leg on one side of the body are paralysed.
• Paraplegia - where both legs, and sometimes the pelvis, are paralysed.
• Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) - where both of the arms and legs are paralysed.

Our solicitors have a great deal of experience in dealing with cases involving all types of paralysis, so we know just how difficult this time can be for you and your family. We are dedicated to providing easy-to-understand advice to assist you at what can be an incredibly difficult time.
 

What are the causes of paralysis?

The most common causes of paralysis include:

• Head injuries - often suffered in motor accidents, blows to the head and falls.
• Spinal cord injuries - sometimes caused by misdiagnosis of medical conditions, sporting accidents, motor accidents or surgical errors.
• Strokes
• Clinical negligence - surgical error, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis

If you have suffered paralysis due to a missed or delayed diagnosis, through surgical error or due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help you claim the compensation you deserve. Our dedicated team is on hand to help you adjust during this worrying time, and we will do our utmost to ensure you get the compensation to which you are entitled.

What are the symptoms of paralysis?

Symptoms of paralysis can start suddenly or gradually, and sometimes the feeling can come and go. Primarily, someone with paralysis will lose feeling in the affected limbs or area of the body and be unable to move them.

The affected part of the body may also:

• Suffer from muscle spasms and become stiff (known as spastic paralysis)
• Become floppy and uncontrollable (known as flaccid paralysis)
• Be painful, numb, or experience a pins-and-needles sensation

Paralysis can affect any part of the body, from the hands or face to the entire body. Depending on the type of paralysis you have, it is likely that you will have different needs and require specific types of support. Your doctor should help you to identify these, so it is essential that you seek medical advice as soon as possible.

How to make a paralysis compensation claim

Claiming compensation following a traumatic incident can be extremely daunting, and the thought of a stressful legal process may well deter some victims. However, at Ramsdens Solicitors, we will do everything we can to help you get the compensation you deserve at this difficult time.

We will provide advice in a way that is clear and easy to understand, while our hard work will help to take the pressure off you and your family. 

As with any legal case, there are strict time limits in place within which you should make your compensation claim. Therefore, it is advised that you speak to a legal professional as soon as possible following the event. To make a compensation claim, call our team of experts and we will discuss your circumstances and start the claims process.

Can I make a no win, no fee paralysis injury claim?

Ramsdens Solicitors operates on a no win, no fee basis for all of our personal injury claims, including for paralysis compensation. This means that you do not have to worry about legal fees unless we win your case. We believe in ensuring access to justice for all our clients, and this no win, no fee arrangement allows you to pursue your claim without the risk of financial hardship.

Our legal team is committed to securing the maximum amount of compensation possible to support your ongoing needs and any future care costs that may arise as a result of your injury. You can trust in our expertise and commitment to your cause.

Reach out to Ramsdens Solicitors today for a free initial consultation.

FAQs about paralysis claims