When a person is left paralyzed, people often picture someone in a wheelchair who cannot move their limbs. While this scenario is the most severe type of paralysis a person can suffer, there are other less debilitating types of paralysis that also affect a person’s quality of life. For instance, paralysis that affects just one limb can seriously limit one’s capabilities.
Monoplegia is a type of paralysis that only affects one arm, leg, or part of the body. People who have monoplegia generally have no feeling or movement in one limb – which is usually the arm. And in some cases, the paralysis may be limited to a single muscle.
Monoplegia Caused by Medical Negligence
Monoplegia is often caused by cerebral palsy. Sadly, innocent children sometimes suffer cerebral palsy and paralysis as a result of medical negligence during childbirth. For instance, when a lack of oxygen to the brain occurs or birthing tools are used incorrectly, a child may suffer an injury to the brain that may lead to monoplegia. When a child suffers monoplegia of the hands, it is likely that one hand and its fingers will curl in towards the body, making it difficult for a child to reach milestones that require the use of both hands such as crawling. Medical negligence that causes paralysis can also occur during brain surgery or another type of surgery when a patient suffers a lack of oxygen, an anesthesia error, or another critical surgical error.
Effects of Monoplegia
While monoplegia can put limitations on a person, many people with monoplegia are able to learn how to care for themselves and perform daily chores. However, just because people learn how to work around their disabilities doesn’t mean that they will ever be able to reach the potential they had before the injury. Consequently, they may miss out on income and benefits they deserve as well as the same quality of life they were used to prior to the injury.
Because any type of paralysis can create financial hardships and lifelong effects that can put a strain on an individual and the entire family, a medical malpractice lawsuit should be pursued in order to collect fair compensation. To find out about pursuing justice and just compensation, contact our law firm today for a complimentary consultation.
