People can suffer complete paralysis as a result of car crashes, falls, and playing sports; however, paralysis can also occur as a result of a doctor’s or surgeon’s mistake. The thought of a medical mistake leading to complete paralysis is terrifying, but you should be aware of the risks and your options for recovery if it happens.
Although rare, complete paralysis as a result of medical negligence during surgery does occur and leaves innocent patients to suffer. Here are some ways complete paralysis can be the result of a surgical error:
- A lack of oxygen to the fetus during childbirth
- A lack of oxygen to a patient undergoing any type of surgery
- Too much anesthesia is given to a patient and an anesthesiologist doesn’t monitor the patient closely
- A doctor makes a critical mistake during brain or spinal surgery
- An infection occurs after surgery and warning signs are ignored until it’s too late
Understanding Complete Paralysis
Paralysis is the result of damage to the brain or spinal cord. When this happens, the brain’s ability to send signals to the muscles is severed and an individual may lose strength and function in the affected muscles and extremities. While some forms of paralysis may be temporary or partial, complete paralysis means that there is a total loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury.
Simply put, when a doctor classifies a patient’s type of paralysis as complete paralysis, it may mean a person completely loses the ability to move a certain area of the body. Generally, complete paralysis refers to someone who can no longer feel or control their body from a given point along the spinal column and below.
Specific types of paralysis include monoplegia (one arm or one leg is affected), hemiplegia (one arm and one leg on the same side of the body are affected), paraplegia (lower extremities lose all function), and tetraplegia or quadriplegia (all four limbs are completely paralyzed).
If you or a loved one was left paralyzed and you believe medical negligence is to blame, you may want to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit to collect money for your permanent injury and disability, lost income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. For help getting started, please call our office for a free, no-obligation consultation.