Quadriplegia and Tetraplegia

Quadriplegia is also known as tetraplegia. It refers to severe upper and lower body paralysis that impacts all four limbs: both of the legs and arms. It can also impact your back, abdomen and chest. In most cases, quadriplegia is the result of damage to the brain or spinal cord. When that damage is inflicted by another due to intentional or negligent conduct, it may be appropriate to sue for damages. If you have suffered quadriplegia and tetraplegia, you should consult the seasoned Syracuse paralysis attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano. Our lawyers have more than three decades of experience developing the best approaches to recover damages in verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases.

Your brain and spinal cord usually relay signals to muscles around the body to generate movement. When the brain or spinal cord are damaged, the signaling is disrupted. Damage to cervical spine is what often causes quadriplegia. Damage to the cervical spine could be the result of motor vehicle accidents, falls, participation in recreational sports, autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, tumors, lesions, or cerebral palsy. When it is the fault of another, our attorneys may be able to recover damages by establishing that person or entity’s liability.

If you experience quadriplegia because of another person or entity’s negligence or intentional misconduct, you may be able to recover compensatory damages by bringing a claim or lawsuit. Generally, when the reason for your quadriplegia is another’s negligent conduct while driving a motor vehicle, you’ll be able to recover damages if you can show it’s more likely than not: (1) the defendant owed you a duty to use reasonable care, (2) breach of the duty to use reasonable care, (3) causation, and (4) damages. Drivers can breach the duty to use reasonable care by speeding, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, weaving, tailgating, and driving aggressively rather than defensively.

Quadriplegia can also be the result of a truck driver’s negligent operation of a commercial truck, such as a big rig. Due to the weight and size of these trucks, injuries to those in smaller vehicles are often catastrophic or fatal. In pursuing damages for your paralysis, it’s important to retain an experienced trial attorney who works with knowledgeable accident reconstruction experts and can pursue damages from all available sources. Others who may bear responsibility for quadriplegia include the trucking company, third party loading company, manufacturer, mechanic, and the driver of a different vehicle.

If we can establish liability for your quadriplegia, we should be able to recover compensatory damages on your behalf. These are damages intended to put you back in the position you would have been in had there been no negligence. They can include both economic and noneconomic losses. The amount and nature of damages, however, will depend on the severity of your condition.

With quadriplegia, you may not be able to walk. You may need a wheelchair. You may not be able to dress, bathe or eat without help. This can hamper your independence. It’s possible you’ll suffer complications over the long haul, such as pressure sores leading to infection because of immobility and needing to stay in one position for a long time. There are various economic losses that arise from these physical harms. Often they’re documented losses. Economic losses may include:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Alterations to your home.
• A wheelchair
• Other assistive devices and technologies
• Out of pocket costs.

Noneconomic damages depend on the composition of the jury and the effectiveness with which your lawyer conveys the intangible harms you experienced in your daily life and in your relationships. Losses can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

You should consider a law firm’s trial experience, reviews, and record of success when determining whether to hire it to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit in Upstate New York. The seasoned Syracuse attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano have over 3 decades of experience representing accident victims and have recovered over $100 million in personal injury awards. As members of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums, we have won significant awards for clients with catastrophic injuries. We represent clients whose paralysis has been caused by another in Rochester, Auburn, Watertown, Oswego, Lowville, Wampsville, Canandaigua, Lyons, Ithaca, Cooperstown, Oneida, Utica, Herkimer, Binghamton, and Elmira. Complete our online form or call us at 833-200-2000.