Paraplegia

The personal injury attorneys at Bohn & Bohn, LLP have handled numerous cases throughout California involving spinal cord injury, including injuries resulting in paraplegia.  In recognition of the significant costs and challenges one faces in light of a future with permanent paralysis, our lawyers are dedicated to obtaining substantial recoveries for our clients.

What is Paraplegia?

Paraplegia is a paralysis (loss of feeling and motor function) in the legs and the lower part of the body, caused by damage to the spinal cord.  The spinal cord runs the length of the spine from the head to the lower back, is protected by the vertebrae, and is the means by which the brain communicates with all the nerve endings throughout the body.  Nerves do more than just register sensation; they direct muscle activity and are therefore an integral part of life.  Paraplegia may be complete or incomplete, depending upon a number of factors.  Of course, if the spinal cord is severed, then the paraplegia will be complete, but short of that, a cut or bruise to the spine may result in either complete or partial paralysis.

The spine is divided into several regions: the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (lower back).  Below the lumbar region is the sacrum, which is composed of several vertebrae fused together.  Any serious injury to the spine below the cervical region will cause paraplegia (an injury to the cervical spine causes quadriplegia, a paralysis of all four limbs and the body's trunk).  There are only seven vertebrae in the cervical region, compared to 12 in the thoracic and five in the lumbar.  Although an injury anywhere along the spine in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral region causes paraplegia, the degree of paralysis varies greatly according to the location of the injury.  Since all nerve signals travel back and forth along the spinal cord to communicate with the brain, a spinal injury causes paralysis not just at the point of injury but also to all nerves below the point of injury.  Therefore, the higher up on the spine that the injury occurs, more of the body will be paralyzed.

Why You Need a Lawyer

An initial settlement offer made by an insurance company is highly unlikely to be sufficient enough to compensate you for the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury.  At Bohn & Bohn, LLP, we have obtained millions of dollars in case results for our clients, based on our knowledge, experience, ability, and willingness to go all the way on their behalf.  If you have or a loved one has been rendered paraplegic due to a traffic accident, defective product, unsafe premises, or other instance, contact our firm for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you recover for the damages you have suffered.