Can You Be Paralyzed on Only One Side?
Spinal cord injuries usually result in weakness or paralysis below the site of the injury. A paraplegic can suffer paralysis in their legs, while a quadriplegic is paralyzed in all four limbs. But some spinal cord injuries impair only one side of the body. The consequences are just as disabling, however. Many accident victims cannot take care of themselves or return to their regular jobs, and financial expenses are immense.
Anyone who injured their spinal cord should analyze whether they can file a personal injury claim. Contact Snyder Heitman LLC today to schedule a consultation.
What is Brown-Séquard Syndrome?
This is a spinal cord injury which affects only one side of the cord. Accordingly, a victim is usually paralyzed on one side but suffers loss of sensation on the other.
Our clients can suffer this type of injury due to:
- Compression on only one side of the cord;
- Penetrating injury (such as a bullet) which impacts one side of the spinal cord;
- Displaced or herniated discs pressing on one side of the cord;
- Bone fragments stabbing or cutting one side.
A person can suffer this injury in all sorts of accidents, such as car accidents. The forces created by a car accident can twist a person’s back violently, resulting in injury to the spinal column. Other people suffer this injury when they are violently attacked by someone or if they fall and land at an angle.
Usually, a person ends up with significant weakness or outright paralysis on one side of their body. For example, they might lose the ability to use their left arm but still retain the function of their right.
This is a challenging injury. Modern medicine has made it easier for people paralyzed in their legs to get around in a wheelchair. But someone with Brown-Sequard might end up walking with crutches to prevent atrophy in their good limb. They still can struggle to reintegrate into the workplace and community because of their injury.
Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury
The amount of compensation is directly related to the severity of your injury. An incomplete injury resulting in muscle weakness might improve with rest and rehabilitation. However, more serious injuries could result in lifetime disability.
Medical expenses usually cover:
- Diagnostic tests to determine the full extent of your injury;
- Surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent the injury from worsening;
- Physical therapy to strengthen limbs and compensate for the injury;
- Occupational therapy to help accident victims remain independent;
- Behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to deal with depression and other mental health aspects.
Our clients also request compensation for lost income, as well as damages for pain and suffering. Being paralyzed on one side of the body, in many ways, is more distressing than someone paralyzed from the waist down.
Call Snyder Heitman Today for Help with a Legal Claim
Our Greenville spinal cord injury lawyers can go over your accident in greater detail, then offer our perspective on your legal rights. To get started, contact our office today to schedule your free consultation. In addition to Greenville, we also serve Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina.
Source:
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22749-brown-sequard-syndrome-bss