When someone sustains a spine injury, there is always the possibility of paralysis. This means the spinal cord was damaged and the victim experiences loss of function in some or all of their extremities. The severity of the paralysis varies based on the type and location of the injury. A victim may experience partial or total paralysis, or quadriplegia or paraplegia. Partial paralysis means only one side of the body is impacted while total means both sides experience the loss of function. Paraplegia means the victim has lost function of the lower extremities while quadriplegia means the victim loses function in all four extremities.
Unfortunately, this type of injury can have a long-lasting impact on a victim and his or her family. How do you live with paralysis after a spine injury? Here are some tips.
Adjust the Home and Vehicles Accordingly
Unfortunately, paralysis means the victim will most likely rely on a wheelchair to get around inside and outside of their home. If your home has steps or anything that can prohibit the wheelchair from functioning correctly, you may need to build ramps or aids to get up and down the stairs. Similarly, you may need to alter your vehicle or buy a new van to transport the wheelchair.
Future Rehab and Hospital Visits
These may be a constant in your life after sustaining a spine injury. For individuals with partial paralysis, it may be necessary to try and learn how to use the other parts of the body more efficiently. Also, surgery and regular checkups may be required.
Unfortunately, many of the aspects of living with paralysis can become quite expensive for the victim and his or her family. This is why when paralysis is caused by the negligence of another, you have the right to take legal action and seek compensation from the party who caused the spine injury. It is important to make sure you understand your rights so you are not left wondering what to do next.
At Shea & Shea – A Professional Law Corporation, our San Jose spine injury attorneys are dedicated to making sure you understand what to expect next as we navigate the complex legal system with you. Our goal is to help you move forward with your life. We know this injury makes it more difficult, but we want to help in any way to ease some of the hardships and stress that you and your family may be facing. Trust that we will stand by your side using decades of experience to help you seek the resolution you desire.
Call us today to discuss your potential lawsuit and learn more about your rights.