What You Should Know About Paralysis

One of the most devastating types of injuries we see in personal injury cases is paralysis. In addition to the obvious physical limitations it causes, paralysis causes severe mental stress and trauma. Having to suddenly rely on others for simple tasks and losing the choice and freedom of movement can be a tremendous shock to the system. And then there’s the fear of the costs of medical treatment, which can be in the millions of dollars over the course of the person’s life.

Facing paralysis for an undetermined amount of time means more than just being unable to move, but also the other effects and long-term effects that come from being paralyzed. This condition usually requires constant medical appointments and treatments, as well as mobility tools and equipment to help the victim in their everyday activities.

What are the causes of paralysis?

Paralysis is an unfortunate consequence of many different types of injuries and accidents. Common causes of paralysis include:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI). Trauma to the spinal cord, often due to accidents or falls, can lead to paralysis.
• Stroke. A stroke can disrupt blood flow to the brain, causing paralysis on one side of the body, known as hemiplegia.
• Neurological diseases. Conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.
  • Amy Geiler is a client we represented for complete paralysis caused by Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (OSD), a neurological disorder. The OSD was determined to be caused by medical malpractice, and she was left permanently paralyzed from the neck down.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Severe head injuries can damage the brain and result in paralysis or weakness.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome. This rare autoimmune disorder can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.
• Nerve compression. Conditions like herniated discs or nerve impingements can lead to temporary or localized paralysis.
• Infections. Certain infections, such as West Nile virus or some bacterial infections, can lead to paralysis.
• Tumors. Spinal cord or brain tumors can press on nerves and cause paralysis.
• Congenital conditions. Some individuals are born with conditions like cerebral palsy that can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.

What are the complications of paralysis?

As if being unable to move certain parts of your body wasn’t enough, paralysis can lead to further complications that can sometimes cause life-threatening scenarios. These complications, as per the Cleveland Clinic, include:

• Difficulty breathing, coughing, and risk for pneumonia. Paralysis can affect the muscles used for breathing and coughing, increasing the risk of respiratory issues. Pneumonia is a concern due to the reduced ability to clear secretions from the airways.
• Blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Immobility in paralyzed victims can lead to blood clots, particularly in the legs, which can potentially result in a condition known as DVT. These clots pose the risk of dislodging and causing serious health problems.
• Speech or swallowing problems (dysphagia). Depending on the level of paralysis, individuals may encounter difficulties with speech and swallowing, making it challenging to eat and communicate effectively.
• Depression and anxiety. Paralysis can lead to emotional struggles, including depression and anxiety, as individuals cope with the physical and emotional changes resulting from their condition.
• Erectile dysfunction and sexual problems. Paralysis may affect sexual function and lead to erectile dysfunction, making it important to address the emotional and physical aspects of sexual health.
• Excessively high blood pressure (autonomic dysreflexia) or low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) and heart problems. Individuals with paralysis can experience autonomic dysreflexia, causing a sudden and potentially dangerous spike in blood pressure, or orthostatic hypotension, which leads to low blood pressure when changing positions. These conditions can impact heart health.
• Urinary incontinence and loss of bowel control. Paralysis often results in the loss of control over bladder and bowel functions, leading to issues like urinary incontinence and constipation.
• Pressure injuries (bedsores) and sepsis. Prolonged immobility can result in pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores, which can lead to skin breakdown and even sepsis, a severe and life-threatening infection.

Addressing these complications often involves comprehensive medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive devices to manage and minimize the impact of paralysis. This means many hospital bills and other expenses that can quickly drain a family’s finances.

Advances in medicine and technology

Can we add in a section here about the advances in medicine/technology regarding paralysis? There’s been things like exoskeletons and I think even brain implants that have allowed people to walk again after being paralyzed. Just a good way to end on a positive note. And then we can add something to the intro paragraph discussing this.

How can a Reno personal injury attorney help?

We have a lot of experience in cases involving paralysis. What our experienced attorneys can do is fight for financial security for you and your family, and for the peace of mind you deserve. No matter what accident caused your paralysis (car, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, truck, slip and fall, etc.), we are here to support you and your case. We will investigate the causes of the injury, examine evidence, and handle all legal paperwork so that you can focus on healing and resting. You already have enough on your plate; let us handle the rest. We know you deserve justice. Just like with Amy, we want to help you to the best of our ability.

If you believe your paralysis was caused by someone’s negligence, it is important that you contact our Reno personal injury lawyers. We offer an initial free consultation, which you can schedule through calling us, or using our contact page. Don’t wait. Let us help today. We have offices in both Reno and Las Vegas.