Miami Paralysis Lawyer: Sean M. Cleary

Common Causes of Brain Injuries Resulting in Paralysis

Paralysis doesn't only result from spinal cord damage. Paralysis is often caused by brain injuries that disrupt communication between the brain and muscles. When a patient suffers damage to their motor control centers, they can lose their ability to move and feel, which can change their lives forever.

Paralysis can develop suddenly following a traumatic accident or slowly if undiagnosed or untreated medical conditions are present. A brain injury often results in paralysis accompanied by neurological and cognitive symptoms, as well as physical deformities. Common situations and accidents that can lead to paralysis:

• Car Accidents
• Stroke
• Amusement Park
• Truck Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Construction Accidents
• Head-on Collisions
• Children Medical Errors
• Airplane Accidents
• Defective Child Car Seat

Causes of Brain-Related Paralysis and Legal Approach

Some traumatic events and medical conditions can lead to paralysis, which requires a different legal approach depending on whether negligence was involved. By understanding these causes, you can determine what legal strategy is most appropriate for pursuing compensation.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries from Accidents: A traumatic brain injury can result in paralysis in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and other vehicular collisions. During impact, the brain can strike the inside of the skull, damaging critical motor areas. Traumatic brain injuries can occur even to victims who suffer only minor external injuries.
• Stroke and Medical Malpractice: A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, resulting in oxygen deprivation in brain cells. There is the possibility of paralysis occurring on both or one side of the body immediately and permanently. Delay in recognizing stroke symptoms or failing to treat the condition is a common medical malpractice committed by healthcare providers.
• Brain Tumors and Delayed Diagnosis: Paralysis can occur gradually or suddenly when brain tumors press against motor control areas. The misinterpretation of imaging studies, dismissal of neurological symptoms, or delay in referring patients to specialists can all result in medical malpractice. Timely diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors can often prevent or minimize paralysis.
• Birth Injuries and Cerebral Palsy: Medical professionals often fail to monitor fetal distress or defer necessary interventions during delivery, resulting in cerebral palsy and other birth-related brain injuries that can cause lifelong paralysis. In these cases, expert testimony is often required in order to prove medical malpractice claims.

Whether your paralysis resulted from a car accident, work accident, a negligent act, or a medical misdiagnosis or malpractice, our attorney has extensive experience of over 25 years in handling these types of cases with great results.

Types of Brain-Related Paralysis

Paralysis may result from different types of brain damage depending on where it occurred and how severe it is. There is a variety of types, each posing its own set of challenges and requiring specialized medical care in addition to legal considerations.

• Hemiplegia: One-sided paralysis caused by a stroke or traumatic brain injury that affects one hemisphere of the brain. In most cases, patients are able to maintain function on the side that is unaffected, but they require considerable assistance with the things they normally do on a daily basis.
• Hemiparesis: Rather than total paralysis, one side of the body experiences weakness with some motor function. Rehabilitation can provide improvements, though full recovery is often not achievable.
• Quadriplegia from Brain Injury: Paralysis of all four limbs can occur simultaneously if widespread brain damage affects movement control areas. Patients often face additional challenges with thinking, speaking, and sensory processing that distinguish them from spinal cord cases.
• Monoplegia: Single-limb paralysis caused by localized brain injuries affecting specific motor control areas. While less severe than other forms of paralysis, it still has a significant impact on a person's independence and career.

The Financial Reality of Brain-Related Paralysis

There is a massive financial burden associated with paralysis that extends well beyond the initial medical treatment. It is important for victims to receive comprehensive care, including neurological rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ongoing medical monitoring.

Wheelchairs and other assistive devices require home modifications, while specialized transportation and equipment require additional expenses. Over the course of their lifetime, many victims will lose significant income and benefits due to their inability to return to their previous employment.

Additional support services may be required to deal with the cognitive symptoms that often accompany brain-related paralysis, such as memory aids, behavior therapy, and specialized caregiving that understands neurological issues.

If someone's negligence caused you or a loved one a brain injury that led to paralysis, we can evaluate your case and help you get compensated for the economic and non-economic damages suffered.