Maryland Paraplegia or Quadriplegia Lawyer
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are types of paralysis often caused by trauma. Paraplegia affects the legs and lower body and is caused by damage to the spinal columns, ligaments, or vertebrae. Quadriplegia affects the arms, legs, and trunk of the body and is often caused by damage below the neck.
If you or a loved one has suffered paralysis due to a doctor’s negligence, contact the Maryland paraplegia or quadriplegia lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We’ll assess your case and help you file a claim for compensation.
Paraplegia and quadriplegia can lead to temporary or permanent disability. While the spinal cord has the ability to adapt and reorganize so that the patient can move and walk again, many people never regain mobility. They must make changes to their daily lives. They may be so disabled that they cannot work.
While these conditions can sometimes be present at birth due to genetic conditions, they are often caused by injury to the spinal cord. This injury may be caused by a doctor’s negligence.
Doctors need to do their part in quickly diagnosing and treating conditions that can affect the spinal cord. Negligence while performing surgery or some other medical procedure can also lead to paraplegia and quadriplegia.
Medical Malpractice
While paraplegia typically occurs due to car accidents and sports trauma, it can also occur in a medical environment. Some common ways include:
- Failure to diagnose a condition that leads to paraplegia
- Negligent treatment of a spinal cord injury
- Pressure on the spinal cord due to a blood clot
- Lack of oxygen
In a more general sense, medical malpractice may involve a doctor’s lack of attention or lapse in judgment. This can happen, for example, if a doctor makes a diagnosis error or a critical mistake during surgery or an anesthesiologist makes a mistake with the medication or dosage. An obstetrician can also make an error while a woman is in labor and delivery, causing the baby to be born with paralysis.
Medical negligence can cause these issues:
- Spinal cord injury
- Spinal fracture
- Spinal compression
- Spinal cord tumor growth
- Spinal epidural hematoma
- Vertebral disc prolapse
Complications From Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
People who suffer from paraplegia and quadriplegia face a high risk of the following:
- Urinary tract infections
- Incontinence
- Kidney stones
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pressure sores
- Blood clots
- Chronic nerve pain
- Pneumonia and other respiratory infections
Paralysis is also a costly medical issue. It often requires lifelong management and treatment, which can cost millions of dollars, depending on a person’s life expectancy.
Contact Us Today
Medical malpractice can lead to serious injuries, including paraplegia and quadriplegia. These are often permanent conditions that can affect a person’s daily life in many ways.
If a doctor’s negligence caused you to suffer from paralysis in any way, count on the personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to help you with a medical malpractice case. Get the compensation you need to pay for all your damages. Call 410-998-3600 to schedule a free consultation.