You do not need to have all of those answers right away. If and when you feel ready to talk through what happened or explore your options, the North Carolina Locked-In Syndrome attorneys at Newsome Law are here to listen. You can call us for a free, no-pressure consultation to better understand your situation and what steps, if any, you may want to take next.
What It Means to Live With Locked-In Syndrome
Locked-In Syndrome is a rare but severe neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to move and communicate. It is caused by damage to the brainstem, a critical area of the brain that controls voluntary movement and many basic bodily functions.
While the physical effects are profound, one of the most important things to understand is that awareness is preserved. Individuals with Locked-In Syndrome are typically awake, able to think, reason, and understand what is happening around them—even though they cannot speak or move most parts of their body.
Because movement is so limited, communication often becomes one of the most immediate challenges. In many cases, individuals rely on:
- Eye movements or blinking to signal responses
- Simple communication systems based on yes/no cues
- Assistive technology, such as eye-tracking devices
These methods can allow for meaningful interaction, but they often require time, support, and careful attention to develop.
Our Process
We guide you through every step with clear communication and compassionate support.
Free Consultation
Call us anytime to discuss your case. We listen carefully and answer all your questions with no obligation.
Medical Review
Our team conducts a thorough investigation with qualified medical experts to determine if malpractice occurred.
Legal Action
If we find evidence of negligence, we build a strong case and handle all legal aspects on your behalf.
Secure Recovery
We fight to secure the financial resources your family needs for long-term care and peace of mind.
The Level of Care Required for People With LIS
Because Locked-In Syndrome affects nearly all voluntary movement, daily care often becomes a coordinated effort that addresses medical needs, communication, and basic day-to-day living.
This level of care may include:
- Skilled nursing support, sometimes around the clock, to monitor health and manage complications
- Assistance with breathing, nutrition, and hygiene, including feeding tubes or respiratory care when needed
- Preventive care, such as repositioning and therapy to maintain circulation and reduce the risk of complications from immobility
- Communication tools, ranging from simple eye-based systems to advanced assistive technology
- Mobility support and specialized equipment, including wheelchairs, beds, and home modifications
Some families are able to provide portions of this care at home with professional support. Others rely on long-term care facilities equipped to manage complex medical needs. In either case, the level of involvement is significant and often continuous.
What It Takes to Support Long-Term Care
Caring for someone with Locked-In Syndrome is not only medically complex but also financially demanding. Because care is often ongoing and highly specialized, the costs can add up quickly over time.
For instance, the costs of nursing care are just one of the many necessary expenses families must consider:
| Type of Care | Estimated Cost in North Carolina in 2025 |
| Private duty nurse (hourly rate) | $130/hour |
| Private duty nurse (visit rate) | $154/visit |
| Long-term care facility, e.g., nursing home (semi-private room) | ~$320/day / ~$9,733/month |
| Long-term care facility, e.g., nursing home (private room) | ~$355/day / ~$10,798/month |
Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025
These figures reflect the baseline cost of care, but they do not capture the full picture that families often face. Ongoing expenses may include equipment, home modifications, and the impact of reduced or lost income when caregiving becomes part of daily life.
Over time, families are often planning not just for the months ahead, but for years or even decades. Understanding the financial scope of that care is an important part of preparing for what lies ahead.
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Locked-In Syndrome and Strokes
Stroke is the most common cause of Locked-In Syndrome. Stroke care is often time-sensitive, and how quickly symptoms are recognized and treated can influence how a situation unfolds.
Why Timing in Stroke Care Can Matter
In some situations, stroke care involves transferring a patient from an initial hospital to a facility equipped to provide more advanced treatment.
One way this process is evaluated is by “door-in-door-out” time, which is the time a patient spends at the first hospital before being transferred. Medical guidelines generally recommend that, when a transfer is needed, it takes place within about two hours. In practice, transfer times do not always fall within that window. In North Carolina, many patients experience longer stays at the initial hospital before being moved to a higher-level stroke center.
Across different types of stroke cases, transfer times can extend closer to three hours or more. Even among patients who may be candidates for advanced procedures, the time spent before transfer can approach or exceed recommended targets. These variations can happen for many reasons, including how symptoms present, how quickly stroke is recognized, and the availability of specialized resources.
Longer transfer times do not automatically mean that something was done incorrectly. At the same time, in certain situations, delays in recognition, diagnosis, or transfer can influence the extent of injury.
Looking for Answers After a Diagnosis of LIS in North Carolina
After a diagnosis like Locked-In Syndrome, many families find themselves returning to the same questions, often without clear answers.
A medical review is one way to begin finding clarity. This process involves taking a careful, step-by-step look at what happened, including the timing of events, the care that was provided, and the decisions made along the way.
At Newsome Law, this process begins with listening. We take the time to understand what your family experienced before gathering records and consulting with independent medical experts to evaluate the care that was provided.
In general, a review may consider whether:
- Stroke symptoms were recognized in a timely way
- Imaging and diagnostic steps were performed without unnecessary delay
- Treatment decisions were made within appropriate timeframes
- A transfer to a higher-level facility was needed and, if so, how quickly it occurred
- Signs of awareness were recognized after the injury
This kind of review does not assume that something went wrong. In many cases, it confirms that appropriate care was provided. In others, it may identify areas where delays or missed opportunities affected the outcome.
For families, the goal is not to assign blame, but to better understand what happened and to have reliable information when deciding what comes next.
Cost of Hiring a North Carolina Locked-In Syndrome Lawyer
Many families are already facing significant financial strain by the time they begin asking these questions. Legal guidance should not add to that burden.
There are no upfront costs to speak with our team. Consultations are free, and we only receive a fee if we recover compensation for your family.
If there is no recovery, you do not owe attorney’s fees. Our goal is to make sure families can get answers without taking on additional financial risk.
A Place to Start When You Have Questions
For many families, the first step is simply a conversation.
You do not need to have everything figured out or all of the records in front of you. It is okay to start with what you know—what you experienced, what stood out, and what questions remain.
If you choose to move forward, our team handles the process carefully and largely behind the scenes. Medical records can be gathered, timelines can be organized, and qualified experts can review what happened.
This step does not commit you to taking legal action. Some reviews confirm that appropriate care was provided. Others may raise additional questions. Either way, the goal is to give you clear, reliable information so you can decide what feels right for your family.
If you reach a point where you would like to better understand what happened or explore your options, Newsome Law is here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations without pressure or obligation.
You can call us whenever you feel ready.
What Our Clients Say
Real stories from families we've helped through difficult times.
5.0
Newsome Law are fantastic! They have been working on my case for the past 3+ years and I have not once had a bad experience with anyone who works there. They have worked tirelessly to help me through my accident and the medical bills that loomed overhead. I am extremely pleased and grateful to have them, fighting on my side during this period in my life.
5.0
Selecting a Law Firm in a time of tragedy , is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. There are so many Firms out there that will chase you down , make unrealistic commitments and set unrealistic expectations. This is the last thing that is needed in such a painful and difficult time
Newsome Law Is a step above all the rest. They are not some run-of-the-mill Firm. But rather an experienced Team of established excellence and success. As one of Newsome Law’s grateful clients, they always operated in the best interest of my family. Were always available to take my call , and were compassionate to the pain and needs of my family. Newsome Law is the right Firm for you to choose.
5.0
5 Stars???!!!! These guys deserve the universe!!!!!!! They came through with every promise and were professional, diligent, smart, friendly, and understanding of the situation I was going through every step of the way. Very happy with the customer service so if that’s a thing for you, that’s another reason to go here. Honestly you will be making a mistake if you don’t go here. Rich is top tier in the US for attorneys and he definitely fought hard to get the job done here. If you want your money… GO HERE!!!!!!!
5.0
Newsome Law represented me in a very positive manner. Always professional, courteous, supportive and attentive. They were always able to keep me apprised of the status of my case. The team on my case were always easy to work with and on top of all issues. I never had to wonder where we were at in the process. I would recommend them to anyone needing this type of help in the future.
5.0
Just an amazing experience with the Newsome Law firm. Our case was very sensitive and close to our hearts. We were treated with the utmost respect for our situation and everything was handled in a professional and timely manner. We cannot say enough good things about the entire team!
5.0
I am so pleased to have worked with this firm. The attention to detail, time spent one on one, not feeling like I was just a number and someone truly caring about what was going on with me and my case was more than I could have ever hoped for. I will use this firm again if I ever need one and will recommend to everyone who asks to reach out to Newsome Law if they find they ever need someone to represent them. More than pleased and happy with everyone and everything from the office. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
5.0
I am so pleased to have worked with this firm. They went above and beyond for my sons case. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone. Always communicated with us, always answered all our questions and fought for my sons case to get the best. Newsome Law thank so much again for all you did. God Bless!
5.0
Partnered with this law firm under unfortunate circumstances and ended up being a great success. They understood the mission and intent, and collectively, conducted all of the behind the scenes work, resulting in a successful end result. If you want one of the best, here’s your opportunity and highly recommended.
5.0
When you’re in a hospital bed all jacked up from an accident and you google best personal injury attorneys, this is who you will find, and they are. Never had been in a lawsuit before and had never needed an attorney. They took such amazing care of me, and handled everything so professionally. A great team of paralegals and attorneys. Thank you so much guys.
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