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Cleveland Paralysis Lawyers
Helping accident victims who are paralyzed obtain a lifetime of compensation
Learning that you’ll never walk again or never have the use of your limbs again is devastating. When vehicle accidents, falls from heights, and other accidents cause paralysis, you need the experienced personal injury lawyers at Crandall & Para Law on your side. Our lawyers have the advocacy skills and working relationships with medical professionals to show how accidents cause your paralysis, who is responsible, and the full scope of the injuries. We work to show every way paralysis changes lives: the medical care paralysis victims need, the cost of that care, and all the physical and mental challenges of living with paralysis. We’re ready to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
In one case, we obtained a $4.7 million settlement for a motorcycle accident victim who was paralyzed when the driver of a car (who was eating while driving and hit our client head-on) threw our client from his motorcycle – causing permanent and severe paralysis. With that recovery, our client and his family are able to function. “Incredibly, this client continues to work and speak to groups despite his paralysis.”
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Table of Contents
What types of Cleveland accidents cause paralysis?
At Crandall & Pear Law, we handle any type of accident that causes paralysis. A great amount of force isn’t always necessary to cause paralysis. If a victim falls or is struck in just the wrong way, they may be paralyzed for life. Our personal injury lawyers represent paralysis victims and families who suffer paralysis due to:
- Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle crashes, and pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent security attacks
- Explosions
- Medical malpractice
- Product defects
- Other types of accidents
Spinal cord injuries from accidents are a leading cause of paralysis. Traumatic brain injuries can also cause paralysis. An accident victim who suffers a stroke may also suffer paralysis.
What does it mean to be paralyzed?
According to Cleveland’s prestigious Cleveland Clinic, a person is paralyzed when they can’t make
voluntary muscle movements. Paralysis means that you can’t move certain parts of your body due to the inability of the nervous system to work properly - because injured nerves can’t properly send the signals that muscles need to move.
“The nervous system is your body’s command and communication system. It sends signals from the brain throughout your body, telling it what to do. If something damages the nervous system, messages can’t get through to muscles.”
Surprisingly, 1 in 50 Americans have some form of paralysis.
Paralysis is categorized as:
- Partial (paresis). The accident victim can control some, but not all, muscles.
- Complete. The accident victim can’t control any muscles.
- Flaccid. The patient’s muscles become flabby and shrink.
- Spastic. The patient’s muscles “tighten, causing uncontrollable jerks and spasms (spasticity).”
- Local. A small part of the body (such as the hands, feet, face, or vocal cords) is affected.
- General. A large part of the body is affected.
The different types of paralysis are:
- Diplegia. The same body part is affected on both sides of the body – such as both arms, legs, or both sides of the face.
- Hemiplegia. Only one side of the body is affected – such as one arm or one leg.
- Monoplegia. The accident victims cannot move one arm or leg
- Paraplegia. Both legs and sometimes the torso are paralyzed.
- Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia). All of the limbs are affected. Quadriplegia may mean that the accident victim has no or little movement from the neck down.
How is paralysis diagnosed in Cleveland?
Your doctors (often emergency room care doctors) will first conduct an oral exam and a physical exam. A neurologist will usually be called in to conduct a diagnostic examination, too.
Diagnostic tests for paralysis include:
- X-rays. This diagnostic test is used to determine if an accident victim has any fractures that may have damaged any nerves.
- CT scans and MRIs. These imaging tests are used to determine if an accident victim suffered spinal cord damage, a traumatic brain injury, or a stroke.
- Myelogram. This diagnostic test determines if a Cleveland paralysis accident victim has suffered nerve or spinal cord injuries.
- Electromyogram (EMG). This diagnostic test looks for electrical activity of a victim’s muscles and nerves.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). This test examines the spinal fluid for inflammation, infection, inflammation, and other disorders.
What paralysis complications can develop?
Paralysis doesn’t just affect a person’s ability to move or communicate. Paralysis can lead to many different complications, some of which may be life-threatening. When our Cleveland paralysis lawyers review your medical condition (or the condition of a loved one), we review the possible complications that may arise during the life of your loved one. These complications may include:
- Respiratory disorders. Respiratory problems include lung disorders, difficulty breathing, coughing, and the possibility of contracting pneumonia.
- Blood clots anddeep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots can develop (in the veins and arteries) as blood becomes partly solid. Some clotting is common. When clots fail to dissolve on their own, surgery and drugs may be necessary. DVT is a “blood clot in a vein located deep within your body, usually in your leg.” Emergency care is essential.
- Dysphagia. This disorder can cause problems with swallowing and speech. Dysphagia can affect the brain, nervous system, muscles, and the throat. Antibiotics and surgery are possible treatments.
- Anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders. There are many aspects of paralysis that are traumatic. Victims usually are confined to living in a wheelchair. Living independently is often very difficult or impossible. Many paralysis victims require professional medical help from psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors. Paralysis can affect family and personal relationships. The inability to do the things you enjoyed before the accident can be quite overbearing.
- Sepsis. This is a serious and possibly life-threatening disorder caused by a body’s overwhelming response to an infection.
Other paralysis complications include very high or very low blood pressure, bowel and bladder dysfunction, bedsores, and sexual problems.
Are there treatments for accident victims who suffer paralysis?
Unfortunately, paralysis due to spinal cord damage is not curable. Some types of paralysis, such as Bell’s palsy, can improve without treatment.
The common treatments are rehabilitative. Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen any parts of the body that still work. Occupational therapy generally involves using adaptive devices such as wheelchairs and assistive devices such as voice-activated computer technology. These and other therapies help patients live more independently.
Do you have a Cleveland paralysis lawyer near me?
Crandall & Pera Law consults with paralysis victims in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Chagrin Falls, and Chesterland, Ohio. We also advise accident victims in Lexington, Kentucky. Since coming to our office may be difficult or impossible, we do meet paralysis victims at their homes or healthcare centers.
We’re here to help you through this very challenging time. Our team is prepared to explain your rights and fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Speak with our accomplished Cleveland brain injury lawyers now
Paralysis is life-changing. One day, you can stand, walk, drive, and work. The next day, even simple tasks like eating, sleeping, and moving become challenging. Often, you need to ask for help for daily living tasks. At Crandall & Pera Law, our personal injury lawyers have earned the respect of former clients and insurance carriers for our strong record of recoveries and our dedication to our clients. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle paralysis claims on a contingency fee basis.