Disabling injuries are all too common in motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls and athletic activities. The worst of these may result in paralysis, which is a loss of muscle function in part of the body. It may be localized to a single hand, limb, or other extremities. More severe cases include hemiplegia (affecting one side of the body), paraplegia (affecting both legs) and quadriplegia (affecting all four limbs). Any of these can drastically alter a person's life and daily functioning. Paralysis may be temporary or permanent, and even temporary cases often necessitate prolonged and painful rehabilitation. 

Paralysis is often caused by severe injuries to the head and spine. A head trauma can cause blood vessels within the brain to bleed or form a clot, potentially resulting in stroke or paralysis. Whiplash, a common injury in car accidents caused by the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head, can damage the brain's delicate tissues. The likelihood of a stroke significantly increases if a skull fracture has occurred. Stroke symptoms, which may not manifest until months after the accident, may include paralysis, difficulty seeing or speaking, loss of balance, difficulty walking and weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body. These symptoms can be both physically debilitating and emotionally challenging for victims and their families.

Spinal cord injuries can wreak even more catastrophic consequences. The spinal cord serves as the central hub of the nervous system, transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. An impact to the spine can disrupt transmission, either in the form of paraplegia, where the lower half of the body is paralyzed, or as quadriplegia, where all four limbs are affected. Victims often suffer complete loss of mobility and sensation below the location of the trauma, and they may require extensive medical care, rehabilitation and technological devices.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain or spinal injury resulting in paralysis, you may be entitled to recover money damages from the person or entity responsible for the accident. These damages could provide reimbursement for medical expenses, pain & suffering, lost income, diminished earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, there may be eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits, which are available to people whose injuries leave them unable to work for at least 12 consecutive months.

The attorneys at Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. in Bristol, Tennessee, have more than 70 years of combined legal experience representing seriously injured victims of auto accidents in the Tri-Cities area. Call our law firm at 423-797-6022 or contact us online to schedule your free introductory consultation.