According to Healthline, there are four broad categories of paralysis. They are:
- Monoplegia
- Hemiplegia
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia/tetraplegia
These forms refer to the limbs and locations of the body that are affected by paralysis. Monoplegia affects a single arm or leg, hemiplegia affects an arm and leg on the same side of the body, while paraplegia and tetraplegia affect both arms and both legs.
The Symptoms of the Four Types of Paralysis
Paralysis refers to the loss of muscle function in a part of the body. As you have read, different forms of paralysis impact different segments of the body. Beyond the location of the body impacted by the paralysis, different forms can vary in severity and the time for which the paralysis remains.
The symptoms of the four types of paralysis are a loss of feeling and muscle control in parts of the body. Depending on the cause of the paralysis, the loss of control and feeling can come on gradually or instantaneously.
The Causes of the Four Types of Paralysis
Paralysis may arise from many circumstances. Some people are paralyzed upon birth, while others develop it over time because of a medical condition. Others are instantly paralyzed because of an injury, often to the spinal cord.
Stroke is the leading cause of paralysis, while traumatic spinal cord injury is the second, and degenerative neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS) is third. The second leading cause of paralysis, traumatic spinal cord injury, can occur under a number of circumstances including:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Slip and fall accident
- Trip and fall accident
- Workplace accident
- Medical error-related accident
- Defective product accident
There are countless other scenarios that may lead to an accident-causing spinal cord injury and related paralysis. If you or your loved one has become paralyzed in an accident, you may want to consider whether somebody else’s actions contributed to the injury.
If it is the case, you should seek legal assistance from a paralysis injury lawyer. They will evaluate your situation and offer you the best advice regarding filing a claim or initiating a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. It is best to work with an attorney, as going against insurance companies alone might prove to be a fruitless endeavor. If you have a strong case, your lawyer will handle everything from the moment you present your evidence to the stage where you receive your compensation.
Do Not Wait Until Time Runs Out to File a Claim
If you or a loved one suffered injuries that led to paralysis due to someone else’s negligence, do not delay seeking legal help. Florida has a limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim or lawsuit in civil court.
Per Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a), you have four years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury case.
Per Florida Statutes §95.11(4)(b), you have two years from the date of the incident to file a medical malpractice case.
When you hire an attorney with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, you can leave the timely filing of all pertinent paperwork to our team. We will keep you updated on all developments in your case while you focus on your recovery and your family’s well-being.
Consider Legal Assistance if You or a Loved One Has Been Paralyzed
Sometimes the circumstances that led to one of the four types of paralysis were foreseeable. For example, when a motorist drives at excessive speeds under the influence of alcohol and causes an accident in which another person becomes paralyzed, they clearly acted in a way that increased the victim’s risk of harm.
Or, as another example, consider a construction foreman who hires unqualified workers that cause an accident in which one of their crew members is paralyzed. That foreman likely acted in a way that contributed to the victim’s paralysis.
A lawyer can help you understand what negligence is, and whether somebody acted in a negligent manner that increased your risk of injury. Beyond this, a lawyer will:
- Initiate legal action swiftly and see your case through from start to finish
- Help you pursue any compensation you are entitled to
- Protect your rights throughout the entire legal process
Call Our Team of Lawyers Today
Our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine goes the extra mile for each of our clients, allowing you to rest while we handle everything else. Call us today for a free consultation regarding your case.