What Is My Paralysis Case Worth?
If you or a loved one has suffered paralysis as a result of a preventable accident or medical malpractice, you may be wondering what your case is worth in terms of financial compensation. However, the value of a paralysis case can vary depending on its unique circumstances and several factors.
Factors that Affect the Value of a Paralysis Case
Severity of the Paralysis
The degree of paralysis will play a significant role in determining your case’s value. For example, a person with complete paralysis (total loss of movement and sensation) will likely receive more compensation than a victim with partial paralysis.
Cause of the Injury
Recovering compensation depends on your ability to prove another party was directly responsible for your paralysis and the strength of evidence against them.
Age of the Victim
Your age can also be a factor in determining your case’s worth. For example, younger victims may receive more compensation because they have a longer life expectancy and will require more medical care and assistance over their lifetime.
Impact on Quality of Life
The impact of paralysis on your quality of life is also an important consideration. The court will take into account your ability to work, engage in daily activities, and enjoy life as you did before the injury.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of ongoing care, will impact the value of a paralysis case.
Comparative Negligence
Your compensation can be reduced or eliminated based on your degree of fault in causing your accident.
Calculating the Value of a Paralysis Case
To calculate the value of a paralysis case, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help assess your losses and estimate a fair settlement amount. They will consider the above factors and also look at past verdicts and settlements for similar cases. Compensation for a paralysis case may include the following:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalizations and surgery
- Long-term care, including rehabilitation
- Occupational and physical therapy, possibly lifelong
- Speech therapy
- Mental health treatment
- Prescription medications
- In-home care
- Adaptive medical equipment
- Personal care services
- Home and vehicle modifications.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, and more.
Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule can significantly impact the amount of damages you recover. Under this system, each party to a lawsuit is assigned a percentage of fault which will reduce compensation accordingly. For example, if you are awarded $500,000 and found 30% to blame, you will recover 70% or $350,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
Estimated Losses for Paralysis Injuries
The financial impact a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis can have in the first year, each year after, and the lifetime costs can be devastating. Here are the estimated figures based on the type of paralysis, but they do not reflect any additional injury-related financial losses, such as lost income, employee benefits, and productivity.
| Injury Severity | Average Yearly Expenses (First Year) | Average Yearly Expenses (Each Subsequent Year) | Lifetime Costs (25 Years Old) | Lifetime Costs (50 Years Old) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) AIS ABC | $1,163,425 | $202,032 | $5,162,152 | $2,837,031 |
| Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) | $840,676 | $123,938 | $3,771,791 | $2,319,988 |
| Paraplegia AIS ABC | $567,011 | $75,112 | $2,524,270 | $1,656,602 |
| Motor functional at Any Level AIS D | $379,698 | $46,119 | $1,724,594 | $1,217,266 |
With so much on the line, it is critical to hire an experienced and skilled Waco personal injury attorney. They will ensure that your legal rights are protected, and that you recover the compensation you and your family need now and in the future.