Paraplegia is a specific level of paralysis which affects the lower body. Typically, paraplegia only affects the area below the abdomen causing the victim to have no movement in their legs, and most likely limited or no movement in their torso.

Paraplegia is typically caused by a spinal cord injury which interrupts signals between the brain and other body parts. Approximately 200,000 Americans are confined to wheelchairs due to a spinal cord injury such as paraplegia. Annually, over 10,000 new and severe spinal cord injuries occur, with two-thirds of the victims being under the age of 30.

Paraplegia can be caused by accidents, spinal cord injuries or a disease which affects the spine. Due to the vertebrae that protect the spinal cord injuries causing paraplegia must be quite traumatic in nature in order to damage the nerves of the spinal cord. Many of these injuries occur during daily life and occur in three main settings, the workplace, automobile accidents and sporting accidents.

Traumatic injuries which may result in paraplegia include falls, sports injuries, car accidents and construction or industrial accidents. Occupational and automobile injuries leading to paraplegia tend to occur more often in the older population while the sport and athletic injuries leading to paraplegia occur in younger populations. Other forms of paraplegia are hereditary while still other types of paraplegia are caused by disease or a tumor on the spine.

Paraplegia does more than paralyze the lower portion of the body. Paraplegia can also interrupt sensory messages to the brain. Victims with paraplegia typically cannot feel their affected body parts and are generally insensitive to pain or heat. Due to this inability to feel pain, paraplegia can jeopardize the victim’s health and safety. Paraplegia may also cause what is called phantom pain and heat sensations because of damaged nerves in the lower body.

As in any spinal cord injury, paraplegia significantly impacts the victim’s quality of life. In addition to mobility, paraplegia affects sexual drive and performance, digestive capabilities, bladder control and numerous other aspects of life. Additionally, paraplegia affects the victim's financial and emotional stability.

Approximately fifty percent of those who are employed before the spinal cord injury which caused their paraplegia cannot return to their job. Income is lost and medical expenses mount. The medical expenses incurred are most often greatest during the first year of paraplegia. Additionally, mortality rates are higher among victims of paraplegia causing a lower life expectancy.

If you or someone you know is a victim of paraplegia, you may have the right to recover your losses in the form of monetary compensation. You may receive compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and other damages resulting from your paraplegia. Paraplegia affects hundreds of thousands of Americans.

If you are one of them, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with knowledge of paraplegia cases to learn more about your rights and legal options. If you, or a loved one, are living as a paraplegic due to an accident in Kansas or Missouri, please do not hesitate to contact our office for a free consultation and case evaluation.