Chicago Paraplegia or Quadriplegia Attorney
Learning that you have been paralyzed under any circumstances is devastating. While paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia, can result from various causes like motor vehicle accidents and recreational sports, sometimes these severe spinal cord injuries can also occur as a result of medical negligence. From the misdiagnosis of certain conditions that can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia to surgical errors and infections that cause spinal cord injuries and paralysis, our experienced Chicago paraplegia or quadriplegia attorneys can speak with you today about the possibility of filing a lawsuit.
What is Paraplegia and Quadriplegia?
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are both types of paralysis, and they usually result from spinal cord injuries. According to Medical News Today, approximately 5.4 million people live with a form of paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia, in the United States. The terms paraplegia and quadriplegia refer to the location of the patient’s loss of movement.
When a person has paraplegia, or may be described as a paraplegiac, that person will have a loss of movement in his or her legs and, depending upon the particular case, in the abdomen. To be clear, a person with paraplegia still has use of his or her arms and the entire upper body. Quadriplegia, differently, results in a person losing movement and sensation in all four of his or her limbs, and that loss of movement and sensation often extends to the chest and back.
Common Causes of Paraplegia and Quadriplegia in Chicago
There are many different causes of paraplegia and quadriplegia, which may include but are not limited to the following:
- Spinal cord injury in an accident, such as a motor vehicle crash or a fall;
- Spinal cord injury caused by a surgical error;
- Stroke that is not treated quickly and effectively;
- Cerebral palsy, which can result from certain types of birth trauma;
- Multiple sclerosis;
- Blood clots on the spinal cord;
- Tumor on the spinal cord;
- Delayed diagnosis of infections that affect the spinal cord; and
- Neurodegenerative disorders.
When is a Healthcare Provider Liable for Paraplegia or Quadriplegia in Chicago?
Since paraplegia, quadriplegia, and other forms of paralysis can have causes that are unrelated to medical malpractice or a healthcare provider’s negligence, how can you know if you have a medical negligence claim? In general, you could have a medical malpractice lawsuit for a spinal cord injury or paralysis in any of the following circumstances:
- Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a disease or condition that resulted in paraplegia or quadriplegia, or in another type of spinal cord injury;
- Failure to diagnose and treat a spinal cord blood clot;
- Failure to diagnose and treat a spinal tumor;
- Surgical error that involves an injury to the spinal cord; and
- Anesthesia error that results in paralysis and spinal cord injury, including improper administration of an epidural during childbirth.
Contact Our Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you or somebody you love sustained a spinal cord injury or was paralyzed as a result of a healthcare provider’s negligence, you should learn more about your options from an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer. One of our attorneys can assess your case for you today and can assist you with your claim. Contact Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC for more information.
