Paraplegia and Quadriplegia are Paralytic Injuries that could Result from Medical Malpractice

Paraplegia and Quadriplegia

Paraplegia is a paralyzing condition in which the patient loses all motor and sensory functions in the lower extremities of the body. Quadriplegia is a condition similar to paraplegia, where the person is paralyzed neck down. It is also called four limb paralysis and occurs as a result of any of the following factors:

· Trauma to the spine

· Neck and back injuries

· Head trauma

· Brain damage

· Medical malpractice

Paraplegia and quadriplegia are often associated with devastating accidents such as automobile collisions, sports injuries, falls and severe slips, high-impact head-on collisions, violence, and other accidents. Besides these factors, another reason that is known to cause spine injuries resulting in paralysis is medical negligence.

An act of negligence by a doctor prescribing medicines, performing surgery, or administering anesthesia can all have a paralyzing impact on the patient. Paraplegia or quadriplegia resulting from medical negligence would involve a medical malpractice lawsuit to seek compensation from the responsible parties for the damages done.

Signs and Symptoms

Various signs and symptoms can indicate a paralytic injury such as:

· Loss of sensation, such as inability to feel cold, heat, touch, sharp objects

· Loss of movement

· Loss of bladder control

· Loss of bowel control

· Exaggerated spasms or reflex activities

· Changes in sexual sensitivity

· Difficulty breathing or clearing lung secretions by coughing

· Intense pain or stinging sensation due to nerve damage in the spinal cord

· Difficulty walking or balancing

· Difficulty breathing following the injury

· Weakness and incoordination

· An odd positioning or twisting of the back or neck that the patient is unable to move or change

Consequences and Impact

An injury to the spine most often results in paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending upon the impact sustained by the spinal cord, and the exact section that sustained the injury. The cost of paralysis can be staggering for the patient.

The most obvious consequence is immobility and in most cases the damage is permanent. The patient may need to undergo treatment and medications indefinitely. His inability to live a normal life and earn his living could have a devastating impact on his mental health, along with the fact that his dependence on a care-taker is inevitable for the rest of his life.

Paraplegia and Quadriplegia due to Medical Malpractice

Medication errors, anesthesia errors, surgical negligence, and various other incidents of medical negligence are common causes of paraplegia and quadriplegia. Some frequently noted forms of malpractice include:

· Medication overdose/improper administration of medication/wrong medication

· Improper administration of anesthesia

· Damage to spine during surgery

· Damage to nerve fibers around spinal cord during surgery

· Equipment malfunction while operating on the spinal cord

· Miscommunication in surgical team during or before surgery about the procedure

· Delay in diagnosis/misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a spinal injury that causes paraplegia or quadriplegia

Seek Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one has suffered paraplegia/quadriplegia due to medical malpractice, seek the right legal support from the New York City medical malpractice attorneys to pave your road to financial recovery and compensation.

Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) have law offices situated in Astoria, Queens, New York City and two offices in Brooklyn. Call 212-344-1000 to schedule a free consultation today. We can be that kind legal voice.

If you have a legitimate case we will decide in the first consultation which is free. If we take your case, you will be kept informed every step of the way. We will not settle until you are OK with the settlement amount. We will be prepared to go to court if that is what we deem necessary. We will have medical experts support your case either way.

RMFW is not paid until you are paid. You actually pay us nothing - RMFW just takes a percentage of the final settlement amount.