Brain and spinal cord injuries caused by traumatic accidents or medical negligence can lead to paralyzing injuries such as quadriplegia. Sadly, quadriplegia can affect someone for life and even burden the person’s family with enormous medical costs and caregiving responsibilities.
This is especially upsetting when medical professionals—the very people we trust with our lives—cause the paralyzing injury.
Defining Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) is defined as paralysis of the arms and legs. A quadriplegic generally loses function and sensation in all four limbs and torso; however, sometimes the arms may function but the fingers do not work. Quadriplegia usually refers to paralysis from the shoulders down. It does not discriminate by age; quadriplegia caused by medical malpractice can impact older people, adults of any age, children and teens, and even newborn babies.
Quadriplegia From Medical Negligence
Medical malpractice can lead to quadriplegia or another paralytic injury due to a doctor’s lack of attention, distraction, or a lapse in judgment. For example, a doctor can make a diagnosing error or a critical mistake during a surgery, or an obstetrician may make an error during labor and delivery, or an anesthesiologist may make a medication mistake. Any of these errors may be considered medical negligence.
Consequences of Quadriplegia
Obviously, quadriplegia robs its victims of a normal life. Consequently, quadriplegics often miss out on opportunities throughout their lives due to their devastating injuries. Most quadriplegics can no longer work, nor can they have the same type of lifestyle they were used to prior to the injury. Not only is the loss of employment due to one’s loss of function a huge financial concern, but the medical bills for a quadriplegic can be enormous. Quadriplegia also negatively impacts a person’s ability to drive and take care of himself. All of these effects can cause a person to suffer depression and emotional anguish as a result of the paralysis.
Since quadriplegia is profoundly life-altering, it is important that victims of medical malpractice obtain the maximum compensation possible so that they can get the best medical and personal care possible for the rest of their lives. Because cases involving medical negligence can be complex, it is critical that victims and their families contact attorneys experienced in medical malpractice.
We are committed to pursuing just compensation for victims of medical negligence. If you, a relative, or a close friend has experienced a life-altering medical error, we urge you to contact us at your earliest convenience.
