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Weitz and Luxenberg Attorneys Assist Quadriplegia Medical Malpractice Victims
Weitz and Luxenberg attorneys can assist patients suffering from quadriplegia as a result of medical malpractice. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding quadriplegia, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What is Quadriplegia?
Quadriplegia, also known as Tetraplegia, occurs when there is an injury to one of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck region, above the first thoracic vertebra. It is usually caused when extreme trauma is inflicted on the spinal column. The nerves of the spinal column are especially important because they transmit commands from the brain to other parts of the body. The location of the injury dictates whether or not the person is a quadriplegic or a paraplegic.
What Causes Quadriplegia?
There can be many causes for Quadriplegia, some of which are more common than others. Hard falls, automobile accidents, and severe sport injuries involving the back or neck can all result in a person becoming quadriplegic. The spinal cord can also be damaged during an act of violence (if a person is shot or stabbed) and people that have medical conditions in the spinal area (such as a tumor) can develop Quadriplegia.
What Happens After A Spinal Cord Injury?
It depends on how severe the spinal cord injury is. With immediate medical attention and subsequent treatment and therapy, it is possible to salvage some sensory ability over time. Some people retain minimal sensation in their arms, chests and legs, while some less fortunate people are deprived of sensation completely.
There is risk of injury in all sports, but athletes who partake in an especially rigorous sport like football, which consists largely of colliding and tackling, can suffer spinal cord injuries. Even physical activities which are generally less aggressive, such as horseback riding, can result in quadriplegia.
A famous former equestrian athlete was Christopher Reeve, who was thrown from his horse in 1995. Tragically, after becoming a quadriplegic, he required assistance from those around him to perform even the simplest of tasks. Reeve was confined to a wheelchair and required a breathing apparatus till his untimely death in 2004.
Medical Problems Caused by Quadriplegia:
- Incontinence
- Loss of sensation in arms and legs
- Severe pain
- Impotence
- Breathing difficulties
- Muscle deterioration (due to lack of use).
Man Becomes Quadriplegic Due to Medical Malpractice
It was supposed to be just another day on the job for George, a police officer from Illinois. While attempting to disperse a rowdy crowd outside of a bar, George was hurled over the hood of a car, and struck his head on the curb. His colleagues did not believe that he had suffered any serious injuries, but the very next day, he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke.
In order to drain the excess fluid that had accumulated around George’s brain, doctors at the University Of Illinois Medical Center inserted an external ventricular drain into his skull. They were supposed to carefully monitor the intracranial pressure, but because they failed to do so, George suffered permanent brain damage. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of his problems.
Now a quadriplegic, George is unable to work and live the life he once did. The only way he can communicate with others is through subtle head movements and eye blinking.
(http://chicagopersonalinjurylegalblog.com/2010/11/man-settles-malpractice-suit-for-177m-for-brain-injury.html)
Weitz and Luxenberg: We Are Here For You
If you or someone you love developed Quadriplegia due to the carelessness of a doctor or other medical professional, Weitz and Luxenberg can help you obtain compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
Since 1986, Weitz and Luxenberg has offered legal assistance to clients who have needlessly suffered an illness as a result of medical malpractice. Let us help you get justice.
Please complete the form on this page for a free legal review of your case. A Weitz and Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.
see also:
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