There is no question that paralysis can be a devastating condition that may significantly change the life of the victim, as well as their family. Victims who suffer from a paralyzing injury typically need extensive medical treatment, ongoing physical therapy and other types of long-term care. In most cases, these individuals have to use a wheelchair or some other type of assistive device.
In other situations, they have to find a different job or may not be able to return to work at all. Paralysis also comes with severe financial, emotional and physical hardships.
The three major type of catastrophic personal injury that may result in paralysis are found here.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a type of personal injury that can result in a person suffering permanent neurobiological damage. This damage can result in lifelong difficulties that vary in degrees. This is an injury that affects almost 1.4 million Americans each year. Of these 1.4 million, 50,000 people will die, more than 80,000 will suffer life-long disabilities and over 235,000 will have to spend time in the hospital. TBI’s account for more than 23% of all paralysis victims in the United States, according to the CDC.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Every year in the U.S. there are between 12,000 and 15,000 incidents that involve a severe spinal cord injury. The actual injury that occurs depends on the extent of the injury, as well as what part of the spine was affected. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. In the majority of situations, the victim is going to suffer complete paralysis, which includes losing feeling, as well as motor function from their neck down. When paralysis occurs due to a spinal cord injury, the victim often loses their motor skills, suffers impaired breathing, and other bodily functions may suffer. If a catastrophic spinal cord injury takes place, the victim may require a lifetime of care.
Neck Injuries
A neck injury, which is also called a cervical injury, typically result in a person suffering four-limb paralysis. This is referred to as:
- Quadriplegia: This is paralysis of all four of the victim’s limbs or the entire body from the neck down.
- Tetraplegia
Quadriplegia injuries are very dangerous and typically require surgery, ongoing physical therapy and an entire lifetime of assisted care. There are many quadriplegics who are unable to take care of themselves, or who require part time or full-time help from a caregiver or therapist.
Hire an Experienced West Palm Beach Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you, or a family member, has suffered any type of catastrophic injury, then it is essential to contact an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorney for help. Contact Fetterman & Associates, PA to learn more about your rights and when you can file a personal injury claim.
[sc name=”call2_action-left”]