Athens Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis Lawyers

Athens Paralysis Accident Injury Laywers

The Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Injuries

The extent of your spinal cord injury is determined by its location and severity. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are two serious injuries that can result from spinal cord damage. Paraplegia is the paralysis of both lower limbs, while quadriplegia is the paralysis of all four limbs. A paraplegic injury will occur lower down on the spine and a quadriplegic injury in the neck region.

Individuals with either paraplegia or quadriplegia will likely need a wheelchair. They are also at risk of a number of complications, including pain, circulatory disorders, respiratory disorders, osteoporosis, loss of sensation, autonomic disorders, sexual dysfunction, bladder problems, and more.

Anyone suffering from paraplegia or quadriplegia will require ongoing medical care, which can be quite expensive. Thus, it is imperative that individuals who have sustained paraplegia or quadriplegia due to the negligence of another person or company consult with a spinal cord injury attorney to learn about their legal rights as well as the necessary steps to protect those rights. Athens paralysis victims should be able to obtain compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, ongoing disability, and more from the at fault party.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

While paraplegia and quadriplegia are complete spinal cord injuries that result in a total loss of function, many other spinal cord injuries are less severe and termed “incomplete.” Incomplete spinal cord damage leaves you with some degree of feeling or function, but you can also experience abnormal sensations or mobility. Patients commonly experience tingling or numbness, as well as pain or difficulty moving parts of the body. These injuries can greatly impact a patient’s quality of life and will often require medication, rehabilitation, and potentially surgery to relieve the symptoms.

The Scope of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries occur at alarming rates nationwide. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries each year, and 282,000 people today living with spinal cord injuries. Men account for the majority of new spinal cord injury cases with the average age of injury being 42 years old. Victims of spinal injuries can experience a loss of sensation, loss of movement, numbers, tingling, impaired breathing, paraplegia, and quadriplegia.

Among the spinal cord injury population, depression, chronic pain, pressure injuries, spasticity, change in bowel and bladder function, and a change in how the brain processes pleasure all change how victims experience life.