Paraplegia

 

Elk & Elk understands serious spinal cord injuries

Individuals who have suffered serious spinal cord injuries must deal with a lifetime of impaired motor function of varying levels from paraplegia to quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia), requiring the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device.

Learning that you will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life is surely a stinging blow, but to learn you’ve been afflicted with a spinal cord injury because of a health care provider’s negligence is catastrophic. You went in to be treated for an ailment and came out of the operating room more damaged than before the procedure.

When a tragedy like this strikes, you need an experienced legal team to ensure your rights and well-being are protected. Call the lawyers at Elk & Elk to schedule a free consultation with our skilled and dedicated medical malpractice lawyers. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or contact us online to get started today.

Factors in the severity of a spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury symptoms depend on two factors:

  • The location of the injury. In general, injuries that are higher in your spinal cord produce more paralysis. For example, a spinal cord injury at the neck level may cause paralysis in both arms and legs and make it impossible to breathe without a respirator, while a lower injury may affect only your legs and lower parts of your body.
  • Cord width damage. Spinal cord injuries are classified as partial or complete, depending on how much the cord width is damaged.
    • In a partial spinal cord injury, which may also be called an incomplete injury, the spinal cord is able to convey some messages to or from your brain. So people with partial spinal cord injury retain some sensation and possibly some motor function below the affected area.
    • A complete spinal cord injury is defined by total or near-total loss of motor function and sensation below the area of injury. However, even in a complete injury, the spinal cord is almost never completely cut in half. Doctors use the term “complete” to describe a large amount of damage to the spinal cord. It’s a key distinction because many people with partial spinal cord injuries are able to experience significant recovery, while those with complete injuries are not.

One of the best ways to regain control of your life is to educate yourself about your injury and your options for reclaiming an independent life. A wide range of driving equipment and vehicle modifications is available today. The same is true of home modification products. Ramps, wider doors, special sinks, grab bars and easy-to-turn doorknobs make it possible for you to assert your autonomy.

We pursue the compensation to afford treatment and care

The lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury varies greatly from case to case. The age at which the injury occurred and the location of the injury are two factors that affect this amount. However, the lifetime cost of individuals who have suffered paraplegia or tetraplegia may be several million dollars. And that’s without considering pain and suffering, lost wages and a diminished quality of life.

A law firm standing up to the biggest insurance companies and defense teams

When doctors make mistakes, you can bet they have access to the best legal defense teams money can buy. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have the same legal counsel making sure the health care provider’s insurance company treats you fairly and ensures the viability of you and your family for the rest of your lives.

If you or someone you know has been paralyzed due to a botched medical procedure, call Elk & Elk at 1-800-ELK-OHIO or fill out our free, no obligation online contact form. We offer a no fee promise.