When Is Quadriplegia A Result Of Medical Malpractice?

Spinal cord and brain injuries that are caused by accidents or medical negligence can lead to devastating injuries like quadriplegia. Quadriplegia is a condition that can affect someone for a lifetime and result in huge medical expenses and caregiving responsibilities for the individual’s family. While any form of paralysis can be overwhelming, it’s even more so when it’s caused by the negligence of medical professionals – the very doctors and nurses that we trust with our care and our lives.

What Is Quadriplegia?

Quadriplegia refers to the complete paralysis of all four limbs and the torso. Though the arms and legs are affected by quadriplegia, the damage that causes it occurs in the spinal cord and brain. These two parts of the body work together to send, receive, and process signals. When these areas are damaged, they can interrupt those processes, causing them not to work properly, which can result in paralysis. Quadriplegia causes an individual to lose sensation and control in the arms and legs, dramatically changing the individual’s life and the lives of their family members.

What Causes Quadriplegia?

There are numerous ways that a person can become quadriplegic, including infections, medical conditions, and spinal cord injuries. Most cases happen due to spinal cord injuries. Typically, injuries that result in the paralysis of the arms and legs occur in the upper portion of the spinal cord in the neck area. Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord may be caused by a sudden impact or blow that dislocates, fractures, compresses, or crushes one or multiple vertebrae. This type of injury may be caused by a car accident, a significant fall, gunshot wound, or other physical impacts. Non-traumatic medical events may also cause damage to the spinal cord that results in paralysis. Some of these events include cancer, arthritis, infections, inflammation, and degeneration of spinal disks.

What Are The Complications Of Quadriplegia?

Quadriplegia can lead to some serious medical complications, including the following:

• Chronic pain
• Osteoporosis
• Blood clots
• Respiratory problems and infections
• Coronary heart disease
• Sexual dysfunction
• Incontinence
• Urinary tract infections
• Muscle stiffness or spasticity
• Decubitus ulcers (pressure sores)

Quadriplegia can also lead to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations. While it greatly affects the physical body, the emotional and mental impacts can be life-threatening.

When Is Quadriplegia Medical Malpractice?

It is critical to identify and treat any spinal cord or related nerve injury as soon as possible. When these types of injuries go untreated, it can lead to additional swelling that compromised the spinal cord even further. Unfortunately, in a hospital or other medical settings, carelessness or negligence on the part of medical staff regarding an injury or other condition can lead to paralysis like quadriplegia. When this occurs, it may be considered medical malpractice.

Some of the ways medical malpractice may cause quadriplegia are:

• Failing to diagnose and treat a medical condition that results in paralysis
• Improper or negligent treatment for a curable spinal cord injury
• Lack of oxygen due to an unrelated procedure
• Pressure on the spinal cord from a blood clot that resulted from an unrelated procedure

Get Help From A Top-Rated Medical Malpractice Attorney

Quadriplegia has a profound effect on a person’s life. It essentially steals the individual’s chances of living a normal life, causing them to miss out on opportunities due to the injuries sustained. Most quadriplegics are unable to work, and they require care from a family member, friend, or professional caregiver daily. It’s a truly life-changing condition.

Caring for a loved one with quadriplegia is challenging. The financial burden can be enormous, as can be the emotional toll it takes on caregivers. When a medical mistake or negligence caused the quadriplegia, a medical malpractice claim can be filed against the responsible parties. It’s important that victims of medical malpractice who suffer quadriplegia as a result obtain the maximum compensation possible, allowing them to get the best medical and personal care available for the rest of their lives. Cases that involve proving medical negligence can be complicated. That’s why victims and their families must consult with attorneys who are experienced in medical malpractice.

At Ross Feller Casey, we have the resources, the experienced attorneys, and on-staff doctors to help you with your medical malpractice case. Our lawyers have an unmatched record of winning multimillion-dollar financial recoveries in spinal cord injury cases, including those involving quadriplegia.

All of our medical malpractice cases are handled on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay until we secure compensation for your claim. Contact our office today for your free case review and evaluation.