A spinal cord injury that results in paralysis changes everything — instantly and permanently. The victim faces a lifetime of medical care, adaptive equipment, home modifications, lost income, and profound loss of independence. For families, the emotional and financial toll is immeasurable.

If your paralysis was caused by someone else's negligence, you have the right to pursue full compensation. This is not just about medical bills — it is about securing the resources you need to live with dignity for the rest of your life.

Quadriplegia (tetraplegia) — paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, typically caused by injuries to the cervical (neck) region of the spinal cord.

Paraplegia — paralysis of the lower body, caused by injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spine.

Hemiplegia — paralysis of one side of the body, often caused by traumatic brain injury or stroke triggered by trauma.

Incomplete spinal cord injury — partial loss of function below the injury site; some sensation or movement may remain.

• Car and truck accidents — the leading cause of spinal cord injuries nationwide
• Motorcycle accidents — riders have no protection from impact
• Diving accidents — striking the bottom of a pool or shallow water
• Slip and falls — particularly falls from height (construction sites, ladders, balconies)
• Negligent security / assault — gunshot wounds are a leading cause of paraplegia
• Medical malpractice — surgical errors, anesthesia errors, failure to diagnose spinal conditions
• Sports and recreation accidents — ATV rollovers, watercraft collisions, theme park ride failures

Insurance companies and defense lawyers will try to minimize what your case is worth. The reality is that the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is staggering:

(Source: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center)

These figures do not include lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, or the cost of home modifications and adaptive vehicles.

A successful paralysis injury claim can include:

• Past and future medical expenses — hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing care
• In-home nursing and attendant care — often 24 hours a day for high-level injuries
• Adaptive equipment — power wheelchairs, communication devices, ventilators
• Home and vehicle modifications — ramps, lifts, widened doorways, hand controls
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity — often millions of dollars over a lifetime
• Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional anguish, depression, PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life — the inability to engage in activities you once loved
• Loss of consortium — damages for a spouse or partner
• Punitive damages — in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct

Paralysis cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. They require:

• Life care planners who calculate the full cost of future care
• Vocational experts who quantify lost earning capacity
• Accident reconstruction specialists who establish liability
• Medical experts who explain the injury and prognosis to a jury
• Economists who calculate the present value of future losses

Insurance companies assign their most experienced defense teams to these cases. You need a lawyer who has handled catastrophic injury cases and knows how to build a case that reflects the true, lifetime value of your loss.

Most paralysis injury cases in Florida must be filed within 4 years of the date of injury (§95.11(3)(a)). However, cases involving government entities, medical malpractice, or minors have different deadlines. Do not wait — evidence disappears, witnesses move, and insurance companies use delay as a strategy.

If you or a family member suffered a paralysis injury in Florida, call Juan Cordero Lawyers at 305.525.8957 for a free consultation. We have recovered millions for catastrophically injured clients throughout Florida. You pay nothing unless we win.