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How are paralysis and spinal cord injuries related?

Paralysis is a serious medical ailment. Though it may develop as a result of an illness or genetic condition, many causes of paralysis are related to traumatic injuries sustained in accidents such as motor vehicle collisions. This Florida-based personal injury blog will share some information on the relationship between accidents, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis in this post, but as with all articles provided herein this post contains no medical or legal advice.

When an accident happens, a body may be subjected to violent forces and pressures. Under the weight of these conditions, the spinal cord may sustain trauma. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down through the spinal column. From the spinal cord other nerves branch off to provide pathways from the brain to other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.

If the spinal cord is damaged in an accident, it may not be able to carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body. For example, when the upper spinal cord is damaged in the region of the neck, a victim may lose all sensations below the site of their injury and may suffer from quadriplegia. If their spinal cord injury is lower, their paralysis may only impact their lower extremities.

Not all spinal cord injuries result in paralysis, but not all spinal cord injuries are fully treatable. After an accident, a victim should seek medical attention to ensure that they receive the care that they need. Their recovery should be their priority, and when they are able they may wish to contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about their options for seeking damages for their serious injuries.