Complete Or Partial Paralysis

Personal Injury Attorney Explains Differences Between Complete Or Partial Paralysis

A human’s central nervous system is the part of the body that processes signals from the brain and controls movement in the extremities. Injuries to this system can affect an individual’s ability to control certain parts of their body. Severe injuries to the head, neck, and spine can result in paralysis to the legs, arms, or both.

Temporary or permanent paralysis may result from accidents, such as falls or car collisions. Sometimes it is impossible to determine whether use of a limb will be recoverable with treatment. The general belief is that the longer the condition of paralysis continues, the less likely an individual is going to recover. If you or someone you know had suffered a type of paralysis as a result of an accident – speak with a personal injury lawyer for legal advice.

Types Of Paralysis

There are four major types of paralysis.

Monoplegia – This is defined by the paralysis of one part of the body. This is the least common type of paralysis. It can manifest as a weakness or tingling in the limb, partial loss of movement or feeling, or complete inability to move or sense anything in the limb.
Hemiplegia – Hemi – meaning half, indicates that there is a partial or complete loss of sensation or use in the limbs on one side of the body. Usually this includes just the arm and leg but may include the torso on the same side. This is typically caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI), but sometimes is caused by injury to the spinal cord.
Paraplegia – This is a more common type of paralysis in which there is complete loss of movement and sensation in the lower part of the body – leaving the arms unaffected. This is typically due to a severe spinal cord injury.
Tetraplegia – This paralysis includes the complete loss of movement and sensation below the neck. This includes the arms, hands, legs, and torso. Many tetraplegics lose the ability to breathe normally on their own.

Suffering any of these kinds of paralysis can be life-altering not just for the victim but for loved ones as well. If you suffered paralysis of any type due to the negligence of another person’s behavior, speak with our injury attorneys in Sacramento immediately for legal help.

Costs And Recovery

There are many costs associated with a loss of limb injury, not all completely financial. This may include:

Medical bills – This can include ambulance fees, surgery costs, hospital stays, medications.
Future medical bills – Ongoing rehabilitation and medications.
Physical therapy
Lost income – This relates to the time the victim is unable to work and the long-term changes to their earning potential.
Aide – When a person can no longer use all of their limbs, it can completely change their independence. They may require hired help to get along daily.
Vocational training- As individuals who experience paralysis often cannot return to their original job, they must be retrained in a new field.
Lifestyle modifications – This may include changes to the home such as the addition of a wheelchair ramp, etc.
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, lower quality of life – Losing the ability to control part of your body can have a significant effect on your mental health. These individuals may require intense emotional therapy.

Paralysis can lead to other conditions. People who are partially or completely paralyzed are more likely to incur infections or pneumonia. Paralysis affects how an individual will function in their daily life so long as their condition continues. This may mean the victim’s home and vehicles may need to be modified to accommodate necessary equipment, such as wheelchairs.

Individuals who are paralyzed may require medical treatment, such as physical therapy for years after the injury. Medications may be necessary to deal with the pain and other complications.

Sometimes insurance companies will not cover all the costs, leading to financial difficulties for a victim and his or her family. If there is an organization or individual that is responsible for these injuries due to their reckless or negligent actions, it is possible to seek compensation from them. The best thing you can do is to speak with an injury lawyer regarding your situation.

The emotional trauma that goes along with the catastrophic injury such as paralysis often translates to severe emotional distress. Paralysis also causes dramatic changes in an individual’s life, such as their occupation and level of independence. Though these effects are not directly financial, a victim may seek monetary compensation from the negligent party.

The state of California believes “just” compensation should be provided for those who need it. Sometimes the negligent party refuses to compensate a victim fairly. In these situations, negotiation may not be sufficient, and it may be necessary to go to trial. Having experienced injury attorneys in Sacramento by your side can help with a very complicated process and may assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Call Our Injury Attorneys In Sacramento If You Or A Loved One Is Suffering Complete Or Partial Paralysis

For over three decades, The Weinberger Law Firm has been handling accident cases of all types, including the more severe cases involving temporary or permanent paralysis. If you or a loved one is a victim of a catastrophic injury such as paralysis, speak to our injury attorneys in Sacramento right now to seek the compensation you deserve.

Give us a call at 916-304-0952 for a free consultation.