Compensation for paralysis

What is paralysis?

If you have paralysis, it means that you have complete or partial loss of nerve control with a muscle or muscle group.

Are there different types of paralysis?

If you are completely paralysed, it is called paralysis. This is normally caused by damage to the nerve supply to the muscle, damage to the muscle itself or damage to the central nervous system.

If you're partially paralysed, it's called paresis. This normally occurs when there is partial damage to the nerves to the muscle, which in turn reduces your ability to use your arm or leg, for example.

Injured person with paralysis after a personal injury often have a combination of both paralysis and paresis.

What causes paralysis?

Paralysis can occur as a result of illness or injury. A paralysis can also occur as an expression of psychological damage.

What injuries can lead to paralysis?

Examples of injuries that can lead to paralysis are fall accident, crush injury, fracture damage, multiple trauma, muscle injury, neck injury, spinal cord injury, prolapse, nerve damage, head injury, leg injury and arm injury.

Am I entitled to compensation?

Answer. You may be entitled to compensation for personal injury after paralysis.

• If the injury occurred at work, for the employer at the workplace, and is the result of an accident, you are probably entitled to compensation for occupational injury.
• If the damage occurred in traffic, you are probably entitled to compensation under the responsible motor vehicle's liability insurance.
• If the injury occurred as a result of medical malpractice, you are probably entitled to compensation for patient injury from Norwegian Patient Injury Compensation.
• If the injury occurred due to violence, you may be entitled to compensation from the perpetrator, their liability insurance or from Office for Victim Compensation.
• If the damage happened in your spare time you may be entitled to compensation under accident insurances or travel accident insurance if you had such insurance.

In most cases of injury with paralysis, it is necessary to obtain a medical specialist certificate to determine the injured party's medical degree of disability.

What types of compensation am I entitled to?

As an injured person, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation if the injury has occurred in connection with a traffic accident, occupational injury, patient injury or in connection with violence:

• Employee benefits
• Incurred and future additional expenses
• Revenue loss incurred
• Future revenue loss
• Inflicted and future loss of ability to work at home (not for occupational injuries)
• Compensation for tax disadvantage
• Compensation for redress

If you have claims related to accident insurances the amount of compensation will depend on the degree of medical disability, the insurance terms and the amount for which insurance has been taken out.

How much can I receive in compensation for paralysis?

The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends, among other things, on the severity of the injury, the consequences of the paralysis for your ability to work and the expenses you incur.

If your ability to work is reduced, or the paralysis makes it impossible to work, or if you incur high costs for, for example, rebuilding your home, the compensation can amount to several million kroner.

If you have a claim related to accident insurance, the amount of compensation will depend on the degree of medical disability, the insurance terms and the amount for which insurance has been taken out.

• Read also: Police officer Ole received compensation when he was paralysed after a motorcycle accident
• Read also: Dagfinn Enerly received compensation when he was paralysed on the football pitch
• Read also: How an occupational injury compensation case works

Is paralysis recognised as an occupational injury by NAV?

Answer. If paralysis occurred at work for your employer at the workplace, and is the result of an accident, then you can apply NAV about recognising the injury as an occupational injury. If you receive a decision from NAV that you have an «recognised occupational injury» you will automatically receive benefits in the NAV system.

Among other things, you can avoid paying a deductible for treatment by a doctor or physiotherapist by presenting the decision on «approved occupational injury».

As a general rule, you can also be reimbursed for dental expenses, medicines and special medical equipment. You may also be entitled to compensation from NAV.

Read also: How to apply for occupational injury compensation from NAV
Read more: How NAV assesses whether you have an occupational injury

Do I need a lawyer if I get paralysis after an injury?

Answer. Paralysis as a result of personal injury can often lead to complicated compensation cases, both legally and medically. Therefore, it will be necessary to contact a lawyer to clarify the insurance companies' liability and the extent of this liability.

Do I have to pay for my own lawyer if I become paralysed after an injury?

No, not as a rule. Your legal expenses following accidents at work and road traffic accidents will normally be covered by the responsible insurance company.

In accident insurance cases, you must pay for a lawyer yourself.

Why should I choose Advokatfirmaet Halvorsen & Co?

Over almost 30 years, our clients have received billions of kroner in compensation. Our lawyers are experts in tort law, and have assisted many clients with paralysis following accidents.

We always offer a free assessment of your compensation case. Get in touch with us today.