Knowledgeable Attorneys Advocate for Victims of Paraplegia and Quadriplegia in Maryland and Washington D.C.
Skilled medical malpractice lawyers have the experience to help you and your family
The spinal cord is an extremely sensitive area of the body, and acts as the key communicator between your brain and the rest of your body. When the spinal cord damaged by the negligent actions of a physician, the results can significantly diminish a patient’s quality of life—and could even lead to permanent paralysis and loss of motor function. Two of the more common (and serious) condition that result from spinal cord damage are known as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If your loved one has suffered from paraplegia or quadriplegia as the result of a medical mistake, contact the law firm of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. for skilled representation of your claim in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and throughout Maryland. We also take on large national class action lawsuits as well, and have the reputation, resources, and experience to tackle complex medical malpractice cases.
How paraplegia and quadriplegia occur
To understand how paraplegia and quadriplegia occur, it is important to consider the function of the spinal cord. This thin bundle of nerves extends from the brain to make up the central nervous system, which controls communication between the brain and all other parts of the body. If the spinal cord is damaged, communication is interrupted, and the brain can no longer send commands for the body to perform. This is called paralysis, and there are generally two types:
- Paraplegia is partial or total paralysis occurring in the legs and lower half of the body. According to the Spinal Injury Network, this injury may present itself as an inability to walk or move the legs. It can also take the form of bladder or bowel dysfunction. Chronic pain and blood pressure complications are also common. Paraplegia is caused by injury to the mid or lower spine.
- Quadriplegia results from injury to the top of the spinal cord, particularly in the neck area. It affects all four limbs of the body. The Spinal Injury Network explains that the severity of quadriplegia depends on the exact location of spinal damage. While some patients are able to breathe independently, others must rely on a ventilator to control the functions of their lungs.
In this podcast, Partner Scott P Kurlander talks about a young man who, as a result of errors of health care professionals, sadly ended up as an “incomplete paraplegic.”
