A spinal cord injury can present different symptoms. But usually, you will lose sensation and function below the injury site because of this injury. This condition is called paralysis, which negatively affects your physical and psychological health. If you are paralyzed, you won’t be able to go to work and accomplish everyday living tasks. And you may not recover from this injury. So, if you are a victim of another person’s negligence and have sustained paralysis because of it, you should explore your legal options. An Elk Grove personal injury lawyer can walk you through your options and protect your rights. 

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

Your spinal cord is composed of nerves that extend from your skull’s base to the waste area. The bone of your spine protects these nerves. The spinal cord serves as a messenger and relays signal from your brain to other body parts. An injury to the spinal cord usually results from a fall or car accident. When the ability of your spinal cord to relay messages to the brain is disrupted, you can be paralyzed. In general, how much paralysis can affect your body depends on the impacted area. 

A neck injury can lead to whole-body paralysis, affecting your abdomen, chest, pelvis, feet, legs, arms, and shoulders. An injury that developed lower on your spine results in paralysis in your lower extremities like hips, feet, legs, and pelvis. 

Kinds of Living Tasks You Cannot Perform Due to Paralysis

Paralysis can significantly affect your everyday life. If you sustain partial paralysis, you may not be able to walk without assistance, drive without vehicle modifications, or perform any job that involves lifting and standing. Meanwhile, if you suffer from complete paralysis, you won’t be able to work at all and live independently. Also, you may need to visit a hospital frequently to get treatment for serious complications like burns and pneumonia. Regular physical therapy may also be necessary to prevent muscle flaccidity or spasticity. 

Seeking Compensation for Paralysis

If your spinal cord injury resulted from the negligence of another party, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to be compensated for your injury and losses. Your injury claim will hinge on factors such as your ability to prove that somebody else caused the accident, the availability of adequate insurance coverage, and your ability to present documentation of your expenses and effects to justify the value of your claim. But you won’t have to worry about these if you have a good attorney on your side.