Paralysis Injury Lawyer in Baton Rouge

One of the worst outcomes of any injury is paralysis—a loss of feeling or function in one or more limbs. If you become paralyzed, you’ll have to re-learn many of the activities you took for granted. A paralyzing injury can also make victims more prone to other types of injuries, and treatment, rehabilitation, and other costs of paralysis can be prohibitively expensive.

If you or a loved one has been paralyzed in an accident in Baton Rouge, you could be unsure of where to turn. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries so that you can move on with your life.

Tragically, paralysis injuries are often permanent. Even though you may not be able to get the mobility you once had back, a paralysis injury lawsuit can provide you with the means to achieve some sense of normalcy in your life. Contact an experienced Baton Rouge paralysis injury lawyer today for a free consultation.

Types of Paralysis Injuries

Paralysis is a condition involving the reduction or total cessation of the normal signals between the body and brain. Symptoms range from partial, or incomplete, paralysis where mobility or sensation is decreased, to complete paralysis involving a total lack of signals. Victims of complete paralysis can neither feel nor move affected parts of their body.

Every paralytic injury is different. However, since nearly all paralytic injuries are the result of spine injuries or head trauma, common types of paralysis include the following:

Paraplegia

Lower spinal cord injuries can cause paraplegia, a condition that usually affects the lower body like the legs and trunk. In extreme cases, victims can suffer some reduction in arm and chest functionality as well. Paraplegics usually need assistive devices such as wheelchairs, ramps, and others, many times for the rest of their lives.

Quadriplegia or Tetraplegia

Quadriplegia and tetraplegia both describe a condition in which the victim has lost at least some functionality in both legs and arms, as well as the torso. Quadriplegia is generally the result of a disease or injury affecting the upper spinal cord, and can necessitate fully-electric wheelchairs and full-time assistance.

Monoplegia

Affecting only one limb, monoplegia might be more minor than paraplegia or quadriplegia. However, it can still have a large effect on the victim’s quality of life and their ability to perform their job.

Hemiplegia

Patients who’ve lost sensation on only one side of their body experience hemiplegia. Usually, hemiplegia is caused by brain damage on the opposite side of the brain from the paralyzed half of the body. A common cause of hemiplegia is stroke.

Locked-in Syndrome

Thankfully rare, locked-in syndrome is a debilitating condition where the victim is unable to move at all, except in their eyes. Victims of locked-in syndrome require life-long assistive care and usually experience a greatly-reduced quality of life.

What Causes Paralytic Injury?

In nearly every case, paralysis is caused by damage to either the brain or spinal column, or possibly both. Common causes of spinal damage include

• Accidents or trauma, such as
  • spinal fractures
  • car accidents
  • truck accidents
  • motorcycle accidents
  • slip and fall accidents
  • medical malpractice
  • industrial accidents
  • offshore accidents
• Herniated disc
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Spondylosis

Brain damage is also caused by head trauma, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Other common causes of brain damage include

• Stroke
• Tumor
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis

The Effects of Paralytic Injury on Victims’ Lives

When you think of paralysis, you probably picture someone in a wheelchair. However, paralyzed people have to re-learn basically every aspect of their lives to work around their disability. While many people thrive after paralysis, the fact remains that many aspects of life, including cooking, cleaning, and exercising, are much more difficult than before their injury.

In extreme cases, paralyzed people may require live-in assistive help to go about their daily lives. Whether this person is a family member, friend, or employee, the cost of caring for a paralyzed person who can’t take care of themselves is quite high.

Other Complications of Paralysis

In addition to the victim’s inability to move or feel their paralyzed body part, paralysis can lead to a higher risk of other side effects, including mobility loss, nerve death, and atrophy. Paralyzed people are more likely to be hospitalized for other conditions caused by their paralysis, including infection and respiratory or blood circulation problems.

Paralyzed people are often unable to work for months or years, or even for the rest of their lives. A personal injury claim can include damages from lost wages, lost future wages, and other costs. Call a Baton Rouge paralysis injury attorney for a consultation on your legal options.

Get Help After Paralysis from Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys

Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have 679+ years of combined legal experience helping Baton Rouge victims of paralytic injuries find the compensation they need to continue with their lives. While nothing can get your mobility back, a personal injury settlement can help you pay for your new way of life and help you move on.

Call our experienced paralytic injury lawyers at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation about your legal options. We’ll get started on your case right away and won’t rest until we’ve won or settled your case.