Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

PARAPLEGIA OVERVIEW
Both paraplegia and quadriplegia are conditions which result from injury or trauma to the spinal cord. Paraplegia is a condition where someone is paralyzed and cannot move their legs. Quadriplegia occurs when a person suffers paralysis in all four limbs: legs and arms. The spinal cord runs through the center of the vertebrae which are there to protect it. People can become paralyzed after an accident (such as a car accident or fall) where they break their back or neck. As the spinal cord is housed in the bones of the neck and back, a break to one of the vertebrae may result in spinal cord injury. Once the spinal cord is damaged, the brain has trouble communicating with various parts of the body.

CAUSES OF PARAPLEGIA
There are many causes of spinal cord injuries- the leading causes being accidents and illness. Types of accidents that can cause spinal cord injuries include: car accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, and sporting accidents to name a few. The majority of people who have a spinal cord injury are young males, as they are the demographic who have a greater tendency to indulge in risky behavior. But people of all ages, and both sexes can be the victim of spinal cord damage. Once paralyzed, people generally need the aid of a wheelchair to be able to move around.

LOSS OF FUNCTION IN PARAPLEGIA
Spinal cord injuries are described by where on the spinal cord they have happened. Caregivers use letters and numbers to describe where your spinal cord is injured. There are eight cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, and four sacral bones. So for example, if you have a “T5” spinal cord injury, that means that the damage to the spinal cord occurred at the fifth bone in the thoracic spinal cord section. Generally the level of function lost corresponds to the level in the spinal cord where damage took place. That means that people who suffer an injury to the upper part of the spinal cord have greater injuries and are most likely quadriplegics (or tetraplegics). People who incur injuries to the lower spinal cord are often paraplegic. Spinal cord injuries are also described as complete or incomplete. This refers to how much function (defined as movement and feeling) is left after a person has healed from the injury. A complete SCI means that a person has totally lost the movement and feeling below the injured level. An incomplete SCI does not cause total loss of movement or feeling.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in California and are now suffering from paraplegia, you should contact a lawyer to learn about your rights. These types of accidents are life changing events, and you should have an attorney on your side, fighting for your rights. The Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP are experienced attorneys who can help guide you through this traumatic time. Please call us now for a free consultation at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776).