Pursuing a Paralysis Injury Claim

Paralysis occurs when vital nerves of the body are damaged, which either can be in the brain or spinal cord (the central nervous system) or in the nerves outside of the spinal cord (peripheral nervous system).

Damage to the nerve and spinal cord can be a result of two things: chronic illness and a serious injury caused by an accident.

Typically, paralysis is described as the loss of muscle function and sensation in the affected area of the body. This condition can either be complete or partial, which could affect either one or both sides of the body.

The two most common forms of paralysis are paraplegia (affecting the lower half of the body, including legs) and quadriplegia (affecting the arms and legs).

There are three types of injury that can cause paralysis:

• Direct Injury - when bone/metal cuts the spinal cord causing damage to the nerves. The only treatment that is possible for paralysis is to try and treat underlying causes.


• Contusion - this is a direct blow to spinal cord. It causes swelling and excess pressure that damages the spinal column and nerves.


• Compression - this occurs when the spinal cord compresses in a violent manner, for example in a car crash, which results in swelling and excess pressure

This serious condition may arise as a result of accidents from varied activities such as sports (especially horse riding) and road traffic accidents like collisions or car crash which can cause severe trauma to the back, broken neck, and whiplash injuries. In some cases, this injury may also be inflicted by violent attacks and work related accidents, such as construction accidents or slip and fall incidents. All these serious accidents can leave a victim susceptible to paralysis.

The effects of paralysis to one’s personal life are often devastating. In most cases, victims of paralysis may find themselves unable to do things which under normal circumstances would have been a routine set of activities.

A paralytic is often diagnosed by examining the events of his medical history, such as involvement in accidents like falls or trauma, infections, exposure to toxins, and surgery.

Neurological examinations are sometimes conducted to test strength, reflexes and sensation in the affected area and compare it with the reflexes and strength in the normal areas.

Rehabilitation and treatment of a paralysis victim often include the following:

• Physical Therapy – this treatment focuses on mobility. It helps to develop ways or strategies to compensate for paralysis by using muscles that still have normal function. This helps maintain and build strength.


• Occupational Therapy – this therapy focuses on daily activities such as eating and bathing. The activity helps to develop techniques that would permit self care. In some cases, a modification at home or in the workplace in order for a victim to adopt ways to lead a normal life.


• It may also require the services of some professionals such as respiratory therapist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, social worker, speech language pathologist, nutritionist, special education teacher, recreation therapist or clinical psychologist.

Accident victims who eventually end up with paralysis injury must pursue damages for their condition. Under California law, victims can claim compensation for their injuries in terms of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may often include medical expenses, future losses, rehabilitation and treatment, and future medical bills. Non- economic damages may include compensation for one’s suffering and mental stress, inconvenience and emotional instability.

In order to do pursue damages, a victim must get the services of a personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable in paralysis injury claims. The skills and experience of a personal injury lawyer can improve one’s chances of obtaining the rightful claim for his injuries.