Spine Injuries Leading to Total & Partial Paralysis
In any kind of car crash, slip and fall, or other damaging incident, serious
injuries can occur. There are numerous types of injuries, but one of the
most devastating is an injury to the spine and spinal cord. When this
happens, it impacts that person’s future. It is important to understand
the spinal injury and the long-term damage it can cause such as total
or partial paralysis. Each differs in how serious they are and the symptoms
experienced by the victim.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that roughly 450,000 people in the United States are living with a spinal cord injury. Not all organizations believe this number to be as high; some say it’s closer to 250,000, but with an estimated 11,000 new spinal cord injuries occurring each year, this number will continue to grow. Many spinal injuries occur because of vehicle collisions, falls from heights, sports-related injuries, violence, and more. The spinal cord injury can result in a total or partial paralysis. Our Panama City spine injury lawyers at The Pittman Firm, P.A. explain the differences.
Total Paralysis
When you suffer a serious spine injury, it can result in a total paralysis. This is something that impacts the victim’s use of their entire body from the point of the injury and below. The victim most often experiences complete and total loss of motor function and sensory function in the lower extremities, and it can affect the arms, if the point of the injury is high enough. Both sides of the body are affected by a total paralysis, making it a necessity to alter a way of life, the home, and the vehicle to help deal with the difficulties the victim may encounter.
Partial Paralysis
While a total paralysis affects both sides of the body from the point of injury and below, a partial paralysis may only impact one side of the body. This means that even below the point of injury, there may be some control and function over lower extremities including movement of one leg. Partial paralysis has three different patterns including anterior cord syndrome, Brown-Sequard syndrome, and central cord syndrome. This type of paralysis is not as serious as a total paralysis, but it can require changes in the victim’s life to accomplish everyday tasks.
When someone suffers a spinal cord injury, it can be devastating and serious pain may be a result. The victim may lose feeling in the effected extremities and have trouble with their breathing. It is important to know how quadriplegia — paralysis of all four extremities — and paraplegia — paralysis of the legs and lower half of the body — can impact your life and what kind of treatment may be available. While there may be no permanent fix to paralysis, the victim may attend physical therapy to help them handle their normal tasks without straining or hurting. This is a long-term solution and takes a lot of effort.
If someone else’s negligence led to you or someone you love sustaining a serious spine or spinal cord injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Your life can be forever altered by paralysis and you deserve justice if someone’s reckless actions caused your injury. To learn more about your injury, the long-term impact, and any kind of legal action you may be able to take, you can contact our firm today and speak with us in a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win!
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