Victorville Paraplegia Injury Lawyer

While people may substantially recover from certain injuries and resume life with a semblance of normalcy, catastrophic injuries entirely interrupt the normal course of someone’s life. Paraplegia is one of those injuries.

Almost always permanent, paraplegia means the loss of function in both legs. You may use a wheelchair. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may also experience related issues such as incontinence, loss of sexual function, and problems with autonomic responses. The changes can strip you of your independence, leave you unable to work, and change the entire dynamic of your household. 

A Victorville paraplegia injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to help you deal with the financial, physical, and emotional challenges that accompany those injuries. Call today to speak with one of our compassionate paralysis injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group.

Understanding Paraplegia

Paraplegia refers to paralysis impacting both legs, leaving a person unable to stand or walk. There can be multiple causes of this condition, including head injuries and spinal cord injuries. The source of the paralysis can also influence whether it impacts other body symptoms. Paralysis can impact autonomic responses like blood pressure, heart rate, and the ability to regulate body temperature. Lower body paralysis can also lead to problems with bowels, bladder, and sexual functioning.

Paraplegia can be complete or incomplete. In a complete injury, the person loses all function, including sensation in the legs. Complete paraplegia usually includes loss of control over the bowel and bladder, though the location of the spinal injury could influence that outcome.

An incomplete injury means a loss of function. A person may retain some function and sensation. They may even be capable of movement, but not in the way that they were previously able to function. For example, a person may be able to take a few steps, especially after physical therapy, but still need to rely on a wheelchair for transportation.

Paraplegia can also impact muscles in two ways. In flaccid paraplegia, the muscles do not work at all. They remain limp, which means that they are at risk of atrophy. Spastic paraplegia leads to muscles that contract uncontrollably, which can be extremely painful to people who retain some sensation in the legs.

The degree of paraplegia can impact the damages that a victim may get in a lawsuit. After an initial case evaluation, a Victorville attorney can ensure that a victim understands the damages related to their type of paraplegia.

Causes of Paraplegia

There are some biological causes of paraplegia, such as nerve damage from strokes or debilitating diseases. Accidents impacting the spinal cord or leading to head trauma can also lead to paraplegia. While any accident could potentially lead to these damages, some accidents are more likely to lead to these injuries, including:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Sports injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Assaults
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents

In those instances, if another party is responsible for the accident that led to the injury, they may be liable for the damages. A proactive Victorville lawyer could help explore liability for a paraplegia injury.

To determine whether an accident led to paraplegia, the medical team will examine the type of injury. Head injuries, injuries to the thoracic spine, injuries to the lumbar spine, and injuries to the sacral spine can all result in paralysis.

Furthermore, the location of the injury helps determine the effects of paraplegia. The further down the injury is, the more likely the paraplegia will be incomplete. Anything above L3 usually means confinement to a wheelchair.

Get in Touch With a Victorville Paraplegia Injury Attorney

Regardless of the type and extent of the paralysis, victims may experience a loss of quality of life, loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, and more. They will have increased medical bills, lost income, and may permanently lose their ability to work.

A Victorville paraplegia injury lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group could help assess damages and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with us today and get the legal support you need to recover and move forward with your life.