Paralysis is the inability to move a part of your body. There are many different types of paralysis. For example, you may have total inability to move the affected area of your body, or you may have the ability to move that area slightly. Partial paralysis is known as paresis. The condition can also be temporary or permanent. In some cases, you will be paralyzed from birth. In others, you become paralyzed due to an injury or illness.
Here are some of the injuries that can cause paralysis:
ILLNESSES AND BIRTH DEFECTS
Paralysis can be present from birth due to a variety of different birth defects. One of the most common of these is cerebral palsy. This accounts for 7% of all paralysis cases as outlined in the 2013 study by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Spina bifida is another common cause. This birth defect occurs when the neural tube does not close around the spinal cord and the effects of the defect depends on its severity.
It’s also possible to become paralyzed due to an illness later in life. Multiple sclerosis is one example of this and is the third leading cause of paralysis. This condition is a chronic disease that causes muscle weakness and may progress to paralysis. You can also lose movement in parts of your body due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a condition where your immune system attacks your muscles. These are just a few examples of illnesses that may lead to paralysis.
SPINAL CORD INJURY (SCI)
27.3% of paralysis cases are a result of spinal cord injuries, which makes it the second most common cause. This is a broad category that includes any injuries that damage your spinal cord. You can have either a partial or a complete SCI. With a partial SCI, you may retain some of your ability to move. Total SCIs result in complete paralysis for any areas below the site of the injury. This means that SCIs higher on the spinal column are more likely to lead to full paralysis of your arms and legs.
SCIs are often the result of an accident. Motor vehicle accidents are one major cause for this type of injury. They can also happen as a result of doing physical labor, a slip and fall, or violence such as a shooting or assault. No matter what the cause of an SCI, it is important to seek treatment immediately. This will help avoid long-term consequences.
BRAIN DAMAGE DUE TO STROKE OR TBI
The number one cause of paralysis is a stroke, which represents 33.7% of cases. This is according to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation study. The National Stroke Association estimates that nine out of ten stroke survivors have some degree of temporary paralysis immediately following the stroke, but that many can recover with physical therapy. For others, brain damage due to a stroke is severe enough that they have permanent paralysis on one side of their body.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a form of brain damage that can result in paralysis. A TBI is a form of head trauma where the brain makes contact with the skull due to rapid movement. It is also common for a TBI and an SCI to occur together, such as in car accidents. TBIs can lead to paralysis when the brain damage is severe enough and occurs in the motor cortex of the brain.
HOW A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY CAN HELP
In some cases, paralysis may be the result of another individual’s negligence. This can be due to an automobile accident, a poorly-maintained premises that led to a slip and fall, or medical negligence that resulted in your child having a birth defect. In these cases, a personal injury attorney can help you. Paralysis can be expensive and can result in recurring medical bills and a lost capacity to work.
PARALYSIS
CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE
If you or a loved one suffered paralysis or a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
