Paralysis

Role of Your Spinal Cord

The spinal cord connects all of the nerves in the body and controls movement and organ function. If negligence results in a catastrophic spinal cord injury, a victim’s ability can be impacted to the point of paralysis.

In the United States, more than 2 million people are paralyzed. Because paralysis typically prevents you from moving your arms or legs (or both), people with severe spinal cord injuries experience a significantly decreased quality of life. If you have become paralyzed, you may not be able to find work or enjoy life in the ways you did prior to your accident.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

When your spinal cord is injured, it swells. The swelling is what causes the paralysis. Sometimes when the swelling goes down, you may regain movement and use of your extremities.

There are two main forms of paralysis:

• Paraplegia: This form of paralysis occurs when victims have no feeling and are unable to move any lower part of their bodies, usually below your torso.
• Quadriplegia: This form of paralysis occurs when victims are not able to move their arms and legs.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation are essential to help improve function. Sadly, some people will never completely recover from their paralysis. Additionally, paralysis victims may be in recovery for months, or even a year or longer and never regain mobility.

Leading Cause of Paralysis

The leading cause of paralysis is motor vehicle accidents. Trauma resulting from an automobile accident can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. Statistics reveal that about 55 percent of all paralysis cases are caused by some type of motor vehicle crash.

The Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Walner Law® are here to help you get the money you deserve for your paralysis injury and assist with your workers’ compensation claim.