Accidents resulting in brain and spinal injuries can have a massive impact on the victim’s way of life, especially when it causes paralysis. Unfortunately, paralysis and other disabling injuries are all too common in motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls and athletic activities. Paralysis is a loss of muscle function in part of your body. There are several types of paralysis, depending on what parts of the body are affected. It can be localized to one hand, limb or other extremity. Severe cases are hemiplegia (one side of the body), paraplegia (both legs) and quadriplegia (all four limbs). Paralysis can be temporary or permanent, and temporary paralysis may require long, painful rehabilitation. Severe injuries to the head and spine can lead to a stroke or other paralysis-inducing disability. Head trauma can cause the blood vessels inside your brain to bleed or form a clot. Whiplash — often suffered in car accidents — is the sudden movement of the head back and forth as the car suddenly decelerates, which can cause similar damage. The chances of a stroke increase dramatically after an accident, especially if a skull fracture occurs. Moreover, the stroke might not occur until months after the accident. Symptoms can include paralysis, difficulty seeing or speaking, loss of balance, difficulty walking and weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body. Spinal cord injuries can be even more devastating. The spinal cord is the center of the nervous system. Nestled in the spinal column or backbone, it transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body. The force of an impact to the spine can prevent the transmittal of those signals, potentially leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain or spinal injury that has contributed to paralysis, you likely have a host of medical and legal concerns. There may be entitlement to damages, such as medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity and loss of the enjoyment of life, from the persons who caused the accident. There may also be eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. With more than 75 years of combined experience, the law firm of Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. is prepared to answer your questions and to pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Call our office today at [ln::phone] or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is located in Bristol, but we also offer hospital or home visits to accident victims and their families.