Paralysis is defines as loss of muscle control over a portion, or over your whole body. Paralysis can come from birth defect, disease, physical trauma to the spine, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or brain injury to name some causes. Paralysis can be classified as hemiplegia or weakness on one side of the body, paraplegia or weakness and loss of feeling in the lower half of the body, or quadriplegia which is characterized by weakness or loss of muscle function from the neck down. No matter how paralysis comes about, it is a debilitating and emotionally taxing condition.
Paralysis can affect a portion of your body, or be specifically localized. For instance, a stroke may affect the left half of your body and leave your right side functionally intact. Bell’s Palsy is another condition that causes localized paralysis of one side of the face, leaving the other half with muscle control. Additionally, any spinal cord injury that impacts the nerves on one side and not the other will cause pain or loss of muscle control on a specific side. For instance, bad disc ruptures can also cause permanent nerve damage and lead to localized muscle loss and paralysis. In some instances, birth defects or disease can lead to problems like Mobius syndrome which leaves facial paralysis.
When the problem is related to a spinal cord injury, paralysis is typically effects the body somewhat differently in that the paralysis will occur at and below the injury to the spine. If you damage your spine in the cervical or neck area, you may experience paralysis from your chest to your feet while if you injury your spine in the lumbar area, you paralysis may only affect your legs and feet. Sadly, when you injure your spine and lose muscle control in your torso, you may also lose control over organs like your bladder, rectum, or even your lungs and vocal chords.
In many cases, a simple accident of fate will bring this kind of disability into your life, but sometimes there is a party at fault. If, for instance, you are in a car accident with another party who is at fault and you suffer paralysis because of the accident, they can be found liable for damages and will have to compensate you for your medical expenses and other costs. Similarly, if by taking a specific medication, your child is born with a birth defect like Mobius syndrome, you could potentially sue the drug company due to product liability.
If you are dealing with paralysis as a result of a defective drug, a defective product or an accident that was not your fault, you may have a good case to file a personal injuy lawsuit to secure damages against the party who has injured you. If you have been paralyzed because of medical malpractice or poor medical care, you should seek the guidance of a qualified attorney. You should consult with a personal injury lawyer, a product liability attorney or a medical malpractice attorney depending on your situation and ensure that you are being treated fairly.