San Diego Paraplegia & Quadriplegia Injury Lawyer

Paralysis injuries occur from nerve damage causing loss of muscle function in a body part. Nerve damage occurs in the brain or, more often, in the spine. One might expect the affected areas to be the injured parts, but this isn’t the case.

There are different types of paralysis, differing in the areas affected and severity.

Complete paralysis means you have lost motor control of your muscles and sensory function in the affected area. Recovery of functioning from complete paralysis is usually impossible.

Partial paralysis means that some feeling or control may still exist in the affected part of the body. You may experience only weakness or reduced sensation. With treatment, some people with partial paralysis may recover more than 50% of their previous functioning. Partial paralysis may limit itself to one area or spread over the body.

Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs or from the waist down. Sometimes this includes the abdomen. A serious injury to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spinal cord may cause paraplegia, as can chronic medical conditions.

Quadriplegia or tetraplegia is paralysis of all four limbs and potentially some organs (from the neck down). An accident affecting the brain or spinal cord causes quadriplegia.

Since 2015, 48% of spinal cord injury victims have experienced incomplete tetraplegia. 20% of victims experienced incomplete paralysis, and another 20% experienced complete paralysis. A final 12% of people interviewed experienced complete quadriplegic conditions.

Paraplegia and quadriplegia look like this:

• Lowered or complete loss of sensation below injury (may be temporary or permanent).
• Lowered or complete loss of muscle control below injury (most people never fully regain their muscle strength or control).
• Uncontrolled and sudden spastic movements of the legs.
• Respiratory infections such as pneumonia are common (pneumonia has been one of the leading causes of death in paralyzed individuals since the 1980s).
• Difficulty using the bathroom.
• Changes in sexual functioning and fertility as well as libido.
• Phantom pain in the lower body (paraplegia).
• Chronic pain from muscle atrophy.
• Loss of bone mass.
• Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
• Weight gain from an imposed sedentary lifestyle.

These effects of your spinal cord injury are devastating and affect not just you but your loved ones. According to data collected by the Christopher Reeve Organization, individuals with paralysis live in households that have lower incomes. Some 27% of these households make under $15,000 per year. As personal injury lawyers, we want to help you cover the medical care necessary. This way, you do not have to rely on family members or friends as primary caregivers. Call Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys today to begin your injury claim against the parties liable for your injuries.