Under certain conditions, trauma to any area of the spinal cord can cause paralysis. The severity of the paralysis is often determined by where the trauma to the spinal cord occurred, but being unable to move any one of your limbs can be life-changing. Depending on the exact circumstances, you may lose your job or have to change your career, struggle to provide basic care for yourself, and not be able to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
If you or a loved one sustained a paralysis injury, it may be beneficial to speak with a Glastonbury paralysis injury lawyer. A dedicated catastrophic injury attorney could review the factors surrounding your injury and advocate on your behalf.
Paralysis Injury Statute of Limitations
While Connecticut law provides for paralysis injury victims to seek justice when another party caused or contributed to their injury, it does so with some limitations. As per General Statutes of Connecticut §52-584, potential plaintiffs have only two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit for damages.
If a plaintiff’s injuries were not discovered or could not have been reasonably discovered until a later date, the deadline runs from that date instead of the date the injury occurred. Additionally, the law generally provides an exception if the defendant(s) left the state after the injury but before the plaintiff could file suit. In this situation, the statute of limitations is paused, or tolled, until they return to the state where their alleged negligent act occurred.
Can the Statute of Limitations be Altered?
However, no more than seven years may elapse without the plaintiff filing a lawsuit, according to Connecticut General Statutes §52-590. Additionally, most cases need to file proper notice with a tortfeasor within as little time as 90 days following the injury. A potential plaintiff could ensure that their case is filed within the statute of limitations by hiring a seasoned Glastonbury paralysis injury lawyer as soon as possible after they suffer an injury.
Do All Paralysis Cases Go to Court?
More often than not, paralysis injury cases are settled before going to court, which can benefit all parties involved by saving them the time and expense associated with a typical court case. The potential for a pre-trial settlement generally will depend on many factors, including:
- The credibility of the witnesses, the plaintiff, and the defendant
- The evidence against the defendant
- Whether the defendant, their insurance company, or their attorney believes a settlement could be less expensive than a jury award for the plaintiff
- If the plaintiff wants to endure a trial
The Plaintiff Decides
The decision to settle is up to the plaintiff but can—and, for an optimal outcome, usually should—be based on advice from a paralysis accident lawyer in Glastonbury. There may be multiple opportunities to settle the case before going to trial. If a settlement is reached, both parties will sign legal paperwork stating that the claim will not be pursued further.
Speak to a Glastonbury Paralysis Injury Attorney
If you are worried about how you will pay your bills or what your future may entail after a paralyzing injury, and you are ready to pursue compensation for your losses, a Glastonbury paralysis injury lawyer is available to represent you. To learn more about your legal options and how much your case might be worth, speak to a qualified attorney today.
