Paralysis

Paralysis occurs when an individual loses control over the function of one or more muscle groups. It can be temporary or permanent depending on the area of the body affected and the type of injury that was sustained. With paralysis, a person may lose the ability to move his or her legs, one side of the body or all four of his or her limbs.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that approximately one in 50 people are living with some type of paralysis in the United States. The forms of injuries related to paralysis range from a loss of feeling in the legs to quadriplegia, or complete paralysis.

What Causes Paralysis?

The most common causes of paralysis are:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Injuries during birth
• Car accidents
• Multiple sclerosis
• Being hurt on construction sites
• Being assaulted
• Playing sports
• Defective products
• Errors during surgery
• Slips and falls

Trauma to the brain or spinal cord or a neurological condition may also cause paralysis. A paralysis attorney will be able to help if you or a loved one must endure paralysis due to the negligent behavior of another party.

The Various Forms of Paralysis

Minor injuries to the spinal cord, like those sustained during whiplash, may be temporary and last a couple of weeks before they heal completely. More serious spinal cord injuries can leave someone paralyzed.

The various forms of paralysis are:

• Monoplegia: Paralysis of one limb caused when particular parts of the nervous system and spine are damaged.
• Diplegia: Affects the same body part on both sides of the body (i.e. both arms, both legs, etc.). Diplegia is commonly symptomatic of brain damage resulting from cerebral palsy.
• Hemiplegia: Paralysis on one side of the body that is almost always caused by damage to the brain. The paralysis is on the side of the body opposite to the hemisphere of the brain that is damaged. If the left side of the brain is damaged, the right side of the body experiences paralysis and vice versa. Hemiplegia is often caused by a stroke.
• Quadriplegia: Affects a person’s chest and all four of their limbs, essentially an individual’s entire body lower than the shoulders. Quadriplegia results from severe trauma to the spinal cord above the shoulders.

The manifestations of paralysis differ due to the cause, but they are frequently easy to recognize. An individual will be totally or partially lose the ability to move the body parts affected. The person may also experience a loss of feeling and muscle stiffness in the area distressed.

Complications Related to Paralysis

Paralysis can occur in any muscle or muscle group and as a result, many of the body’s functions can be affected. A few of the complications related to paralysis include:

• Difficulties with heart rate, blood flow, and breathing
• Fluctuations in the normal function of glands, organs, and various tissues in the body
• Bedsores
• Blood clots
• Difficulty speaking
• Mood and behavioral changes
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Sexual dysfunction

An experienced paralysis attorney can help get you the monetary help you need if your paralysis was the result of someone else’s negligence. They can assist you in paying for expenses related to a loss of income, lost future earnings, medical expenses, damage to property, costs related to rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Contact our firm to speak to a Chicago paralysis lawyer today.