Florida Paralysis Lawyers

Spinal cord injuries are extremely serious and often debilitating. Many people who are involved in an accident resulting in such injuries suffer paralysis as a result of the physical trauma they have endured. Paralysis can occur in an incomplete manner, meaning that an injured person maintains some sensation and movement ability, while complete paralysis results in an almost total loss of sensory perception and movement.

At Zimmerman & Frachtman, we understand how life-altering a spinal cord injury can be for the hurt individual and their family. Victims of auto accidents, falls, or other cases of negligence that have resulted in paralysis should know that there is help available. 

Our compassionate staff and experienced paralysis attorneys in Florida are always available for consultations to educate spinal cord injury victims on their legal case and options.

Get started with a free initial consultation. Call (954) 504-6577 or contact us online.

Hemiplegia: Paralysis on One Side of the Body

Hemiplegia is a type of weakness, rigid movement, or paralysis that occurs on only one side of the body. It may affect an individual’s speech, balance, use of their hand, and field of vision. 

Hemiplegia can be caused by a variety of sources, but it generally occurs due to cerebral palsy, perinatal strokes, traumatic brain injury, and stroke – all of which may damage the brain via disrupted blood flow. Just as there are a variety of causes of hemiplegia, there are also several types of it. 

These include:

• Spastic hemiplegia, which is characterized by spastic movements and paralysis on one side of the body.
• Cerebral hemiplegia, in which a lesion of the brain disrupts blood flow.
• Facial hemiplegia, which is characterized by one-sided facial paralysis.
• Spinal hemiplegia, which is caused by spinal lesions.

Hemiplegia can have a severely negative impact on an individual’s life, oftentimes changing it forever. Individuals who were once highly independent may struggle to accept their new condition and the factors it introduces, including:

• Necessity of a round-the-clock caregiver
• Inability to chew, swallow, and eat properly
• Inability to speak clearly
• Inability to walk, run, play sports, swim, or do other activities one used to enjoy
• Poor memory
• Loss of control of bladder and bowel movements
• Inability to perform activities of daily living- like dressing and feeding oneself

Hemiplegia may lead to costly medical bills and a major loss of income to the injured individual’s family. Managing the condition may require special equipment, medical supplies, and personnel to manage its symptoms – all of which may be quite expensive.

Quadriplegia: Paralysis of All Four Limbs

One helpful way to understand quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) is to think of your body like a country, and its nerves as roads. Just like highways allow for transportation of goods from one location to another, the body’s nerves allow information and instructions to be sent from one area of the body to another. 

In this analogy, small bundles of nerves in the arms, legs, and brain are like local roads in individual states, and the spinal cord is like an interstate. Just like an interstate road is necessary for commerce and transportation between states, the spinal cord is necessary for communication between the arms and legs and the brain.

Quadriplegia often originates from an injury to the upper back – resulting from a gunshot, car accident, fall, sporting accident, or other trauma – that damages the spinal cord and, in effect, cuts off communication between the brain and other part so the body. This results in a loss of motion, sensation, and function in the extremities, and often affects the bowels, as well.

When quadriplegia is caused by someone else's negligence, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. While monetary compensation cannot buy back your health and mobility, it could help to cover medical expenses, important equipment, like wheelchairs and bed lifts, lost income for the family, and helpful home renovations. 

Don’t wait. Your family doesn’t have to deal with this alone. Call Zimmerman & Frachtman today to see how we can help.

Options for Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries

Unfortunately, there are currently no medical treatments that can reverse damage to the delicate spinal cord. However, the medical field is always making advancements in nerve therapy, prosthetic techniques and physical therapy that can help spinal cord injury patients live the fullest and richest life possible.

Victims of spinal cord injuries require continuing medical care, so it is important for those who have been injured to take legal action against the party responsible for the accident. Patients who suffer from spinal cord injuries often develop related medical conditions, such as muscle atrophy, blood clots and incontinence issues. It’s vital that victims be compensated not only for the lifelong course of treatment they require to carry on, but also for all that they have lost due to their spinal cord injury.

Clients who retain the legal services of Zimmerman & Frachtman can rest assured that they are represented by a caring and competent legal team who are focused upon the well-being of their clients. The lawyers at Zimmerman & Frachtman make it their personal mission to ensure their clients receive the best, most up to date medical interventions possible, while navigating the legal system to ensure justice is delivered for the injured victims and their families.

Contact us online or call (954) 504-6577 to learn more during a free, confidential consultation.