Spinal cord injuries are traumatic, and it’s important not to downplay the serious impact this can have on someone’s quality of life and mental health. Survivors of spinal cord and brain injuries can be left with numerous health conditions, including paraplegia, quadriplegia and tetraplegia.

Depending on the part of the spine or brain that is injured after an accident, the levels of injury can differ. This is because there are separate parts of the spine that are responsible for different communications between the brain and the rest of your anatomy.

The different parts of the spine include the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and sacral spine. In most cases, if an injury is higher on the spine, it tends to be the most severe and results in partial or complete paralysis, known as either paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia.

Many of us tend to use these terms interchangeably, not acknowledging the severity of these conditions and the impact on the lives of victims and their friends and family. At Virk Personal Injury Law, we understand the impact that these conditions can have on your life.

That’s why we’re committed to securing the compensation you deserve if you’re left impaired for life after a personal injury. To help you understand what these terms mean and help you secure the compensation you might need if you suffer from these injuries, we’ve compiled this guide to the difference between paraplegia, quadriplegia and tetraplegia.

Paraplegia

Paraplegia is a paralysis-related condition that affects the victim’s legs. In this case, both legs are affected, and the victim is unable to move these, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Paraplegics typically can maintain more independence than other forms of paralysis as victims still have control of their arms. However, this doesn’t make this condition any less traumatic, as victims may lose their ability to work, spend time with their family or move around independently.

Paraplegia is caused by signals not being transferred through the spinal cord typically due to a thoracic spinal injury.

Quadriplegia

A quadriplegic (someone who is suffering from quadriplegia) is a person who suffers from paralysis from the neck down. This means that the person has no control over their legs, torso and arms. This is a very serious condition that results from a spinal cord or brain injury affecting the upper parts of the spinal cord, prohibiting signals from reaching the nerves. This leaves a person with very little independence, as they cannot eat, bathe, work or dress without help.

Tetraplegia

Tetraplegia and quadriplegia refer to the same condition. Tetraplegic may be the official term that doctors use on documentation when treating a patient.

Tetraplegia is typically the most serious form of paralysis and can require some patients to have to use breathing devices as the muscles aren’t capable of moving up and down in the chest.

This is, of course, traumatic for the patient and their family, so it’s important to seek compensation if you or a loved one has been left with paralysis following an injury.

How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

If you’re suffering from any form of paralysis as a result of a personal injury, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer who can navigate your claim. These professionals understand the importance and the severity of your condition, as well as the implications on your life. You may be unable to work and be left with hefty care and medical bills after your injury, which can be compensated for if you decide to pursue legal action.

Personal injury lawyers can review your case, and the cause of your injury and help secure compensation based on the implication on your life, including loss of income, mental and emotional hardship and much more.

If You Have Suffered An Injury That Has Caused Paralysis, Contact Virk Lawyers Now.

Have you suffered a personal injury that caused paralysis? Contact Virk Personal Injury Law today. Our team of professional and expert lawyers are ready to treat you with the compassion and care you deserve after enduring such trauma.

We can help you navigate the legal details of your case and help you secure the compensation you rightly deserve after suffering your injuries. A paralyzing injury can occur anywhere, such as a building site, commercial setting, car accident and much more. We’re ready to deliver our advice on your spinal cord injury claim. Contact us today!