Paralysis is a physical medical condition that inhibits the ability to feel or move your limbs. This happens as a result of the spine or brain suffering a catastrophic injury. People often suffer paralysis after being involved in a car collision or malfunction, slip-and-fall accident, aggravated assault, work accident or explosion. In either of these scenarios, the victim may lose physical sensation in their limbs and have to seek medical attention.
As stated above, paralysis occurs when the spine or brain is injured. This is because the brain sends signals down the spine and is received by the limbs, much like an antenna. If these signals are disrupted, then the person suffering from a brain or spinal injury may experience paralysis.
That being said, paralysis is unique for everyone. Paralysis can affect a single limb, such as a finger, or cause widespread motor control loss. The following are the types of paralysis you could suffer from after an injury:
Incomplete paralysis
Many people who suffer from paralysis can’t move their arms or legs. However, they may still have control over a large portion of their body. As such, people who still have control and feeling over some of their limbs are suffering from incomplete paralysis. In some cases, people who suffer from incomplete paralysis may be able to seek treatment to improve their quality of life.
Complete paralysis
In some cases, people will experience complete paralysis. Complete paralysis, typically, affects the entire body, causing victims to lose all control over their limbs. Victims of complete paralysis may experience breathing issues, organ failure and muscle degradation.
People who suffer from incomplete or complete paralysis may experience long-term disabilities or may have recurring motor control loss. In some cases, victims can go through therapy to regain their motor control functions, but others may have to endure constant surgery and medication or permanent control loss. Paralysis, in addition, can affect many things, such as breathing, blood flow, bowel movements, reproductive organs and organ function.
Many people who suffer catastrophic injuries that have caused paralysis need to understand their legal rights when seeking compensation for their medical bills and treatments.