Most people can't begin to imagine what it's like to lose the ability to move their arms and legs. But for people living with paraplegia and quadriplegia, this is a reality of life. And for some, this reality is due to someone else's negligence.
While some people may be able to chalk an accident up to the will of God, many crashes and accidents are the direct result of someone doing something they know is dangerous. A moment's decision to pick up a cellphone to check a text message or the decision to drink and drive are just two of many negligent acts that can lead to serious crashes and catastrophic injuries, including paralysis in victims.
What life is like with a spinal cord injury
In most spinal cord injury cases, victims lose sensation below the point of injury, causing them to lose control over muscles and appendages in the affected area. With paraplegia, victims oftentimes lose their ability to move their legs while quadriplegia typically results in an inability to move both arms and both legs.
Depending on the extent of damage and where the injury occurred, an individual may require different medical devices ranging from a wheelchair to breathing devices in certain cases. For many who have been paralyzed, medical care is required for the rest of their life.
What science is doing to help
Though wheelchairs have been used by paraplegics and quadriplegics for decades as their only replacement for mobility, new advancements in science are giving people with these conditions new options.
Just recently, a robotics company by the name of Ekso Bionics developed a suit called the Ekso GT that gives people with spinal injuries the chance to walk again. And just a few months ago, scientists went a step further, developing an implant device called the "bionic spine" that can help people with paralysis walk again simply by using their own thoughts.
The importance of proper compensation
As we said above, most people can't imagine what it's like to lose the ability to move their arms and legs - even insurance companies. What might seem fair to an insurance adjuster after an accident or crash might not completely cover the medical needs of an accident victim, creating financial issues that may be difficult to address later on.
With the help of an experienced and compassionate personal injury attorney, getting the proper amount of compensation is possible. That's because they know the full effect paralysis can have on a person's life and they will have the victim's best interests in mind when fighting for fair compensation after an accident.