Living life with any degree of paralysis can be challenging and stressful. “Paralysis is a loss of strength in and control over a muscle or group of muscles in a part of the body” [Source: Cleveland Clinic]. There are a few different types and degrees of paralysis which include:
- Partial. If you suffered partial paralysis, it means you still have some control over your muscles.
- Complete. If your paralysis injury is considered complete, this means you cannot move your muscles at all.
- Permanent. Permanent paralysis is when your muscle control will never come back.
- Temporary. Temporary paralysis is when some or all of your muscle control returns.
Depending on the degree of paralysis you suffered, you may also find that your muscles will get flabby and shrink (flaccid) or they become tight and hard and jerk around oddly (spastic).
[Source: Cleveland Clinic].
Aside from classifying a paralysis by degree, these types of injuries also fall into one of two categories: localized or generalized. The Cleveland Clinic says that “localized paralysis often affects areas such as the face, hands, feet, or vocal cords.” Generalized paralysis, however, “is broken down based on how much of the body is paralyzed” and the different categories of it include:
- Monoplegia- This “affects one limb only, such as one arm or one leg.”
- Hemiplegia. This “affects one side of the body, such as the leg and arm of the same side of the body.”
- Diplegia “affects the same area on both sides of the body, such as both arms or both sides of the face.”
- Paraplegia “affects both legs and sometimes parts of the trunk.”
- Quadriplegia “affects both arms and both legs and sometimes the entire area from the neck down.” The heart, lungs, and other organs may also become dysfunctional when an individual suffers from quadriplegia.
[Source: Cleveland Clinic].
How serious is your paralysis injury?
Depending on the severity of your injury, you might find it difficult or even impossible to engage in some or all of the activities you once enjoyed doing. While some may be limited in the amount of walking, biking, or exercising they can do, perhaps you suffered a degree that requires you to rely on someone else just to get you in and out of bed, get dressed, and maintain a high level of personal hygiene.
There is no doubt that paralysis can take a toll on a person both physically and mentally which is why anyone who has suffered any degree of paralysis from a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall incident, or any other type of accident that was caused by someone else speak with a personal injury attorney in Iowa to find out if they are a candidate to recover compensation for their losses.
When might I be entitled to recover compensation if I suffered paralysis in an accident?
If someone else was responsible for causing the incident you were involved that resulted in you suffering from paralysis, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the liable party, their insurer, your insurer, or even another party given they shared some of the responsibility. A paralysis injury is often serious in nature and can have a significant impact on your life. If you aren’t able to work, require ongoing therapy, have experienced a loss of enjoyment of life, etc. as a result of paralysis, then you definitely should consider contacting Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. to speak with a trusted IA personal injury attorney.
At Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C., we will assess the details of the incident, estimate your damages, and assist you in filing a claim against the negligent party. We can help you recover compensation for things like physical therapy, medical equipment that could make getting in and out of bed easier, medical devices that would allow you to still partake in certain activities that you are otherwise are restricted from engaging in due to your injury, and more.
While money cannot heal your injury, it can help you afford medical equipment/devices, medical care, cost of living, and more that would make your circumstances easier for you and those who care for you to live with. Now, if you are interested in learning more about obtaining compensation for paralysis and what you might be eligible to collect from the liable party, please give us a call now at (319) 393-1020 to schedule an initial consultation. If you are seeking legal information on behalf of a loved one, we are available to address any questions or concerns you might have.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
Website: www.eellsandtronvold.com
