Partial paralysis can rob you of some of your abilities, and total paralysis can result in your being utterly dependent on other people. When you sustain any degree of paralysis, you may no longer be able to work or even care for yourself. In addition to taking an enormous physical and financial toll, paralysis can also be emotionally traumatic.
While some health conditions can lead to paralysis, it is often the result of a traumatic injury. Damage to the spinal cord, neck, or brain can lead to different types of paralysis. When someone else’s negligent behavior leads to your injuries, a Richland paralysis injury lawyer can help. Our compassionate catastrophic injury attorneys could help you get the compensation you need so you can focus on healing and rehabilitation instead of your large medical bills.
People think of paralysis as the inability to move. However, it actually refers to the loss of movement or sensation in part of the body. Paralysis can have an organic cause, such as a stroke or some degenerative spinal disease, or an inorganic cause, such as an injury to the spine or brain.
For a Richland paralysis injury lawyer, cause helps determine whether someone may be financially liable for the injuries. Some common causes of paralysis cases that our firm practices include:
From a medical perspective, the cause of paralysis may change an injured person’s prognosis. When nerve or brain damage leads to paralysis, they may be able to recover some or even all of their function. Treatments like physical therapy may help restore function and sensation to an area. However, when an injury severs the spine and leads to paralysis, there is no cure.
While many people think of paralysis as the loss of all movement, it is more helpful to view paralysis as a continuum from partial to total. Partial paralysis involves reduced movement or sensation, while total paralysis is a complete loss of movement and sensation.
Doctors use other terms to describe the amount and part of the body that is paralyzed. Monoplegia refers to the paralysis of one limb. Diplegia is paralysis of one area of the body but on both sides. Hemiplegia is paralysis of one side of the body, which can include the entire side or a portion of it. The most familiar terms are probably paraplegia and quadriplegia. Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs and may include part of the trunk or lower body. Quadriplegia refers to paralysis of all four limbs.
Paralysis can lead to the failure of involuntary systems and the inability to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, and heartbeat. It can also impact a person’s ability to breathe. Bowel and bladder control and sexual function can all suffer, as well. The extent of the damage varies from person to person, which is why a Richland attorney who handles paralysis claims will coordinate with a healthcare team to understand the individual’s specific challenges.
Paralysis can have a ripple impact, affecting the quality of life for the injured person’s spouses, children, parents, and friends. Overnight, people become dependent on their loved ones for care. It presents emotional challenges for the patient and their loved ones. Mental health care is an essential component of long-term treatment for many.
Paralysis is also a long-term injury with tremendous financial costs. In addition, adaptive items like motorized wheelchairs or equipment that can restore speech abilities come with hefty price tags. While this care may not restore people to their pre-injury physical condition, it can help them get closer to everyday life. One role of a Richland lawyer is to help injured people and their families understand the lifelong financial costs of paralysis.
Paralysis is life-changing. No attorney can change that. However, they can fight to ensure you get the compensation you need to make the most of any opportunities available to help you.
To learn more about potential remedies, schedule a free consultation with a Richland paralysis injury lawyer. We are available to take your call 24/7.