Quadriplegia is a life-altering condition that affects how a person moves, lives, and connects with the world. It occurs when the spinal cord is damaged in the neck area. It affects both arms and legs, as well as the core muscles.
This type of trauma leads to varying degrees of loss of function. Sometimes it’s partial; sometimes it’s total. Either way, it turns even simple tasks into significant challenges. A person with quadriplegia might not be able to get dressed or even hold a cup on their own anymore. The injury can also affect breathing, bladder and bowel control, and even mental health.
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Types of Quadriplegia and How They Differ
As serious as spinal cord injuries are, not every one leads to full paralysis. Some people still have limited movement or sensation.
Doctors generally sort these injuries into two categories:
- Complete: There’s no movement or feeling below the injury site
- Incomplete: Some signals still get through and might allow for some function or sensation in parts of the body
No matter which type it is, the impact is massive. Even incomplete injuries can leave victims relying on wheelchairs, caregivers, and adaptive technology just to get through the day. And while rehab can help regain some strength or skills, there’s no true “cure” for quadriplegia.
Common Causes of Quadriplegia
In many cases, quadriplegia is the result of a sudden, forceful injury to the spine — something that no one sees coming. In Baltimore, several types of accidents are more likely to cause this type of trauma.
Car Accidents
Vehicle accidents are a leading cause. High-speed crashes, particularly those involving rollovers or head-on collisions, often cause serious neck and spine trauma. Even with seat belts and airbags, the force of such an impact can dislocate or crush vertebrae.
Workplace Accidents
Construction sites, warehouses, and industrial workplaces carry a higher risk of injury for workers than many other locations. If an employer doesn’t follow safety protocols or provide faulty equipment, the result can be devastating.
Intentional Acts of Violence
Acts of violence, including shootings and assaults, can sever or damage the spine directly. Baltimore sees many spinal injuries tied to gun violence each year, and some of those result in paralysis.
Recreational Accidents
Contact sports and diving into shallow water sometimes cause neck injuries that lead to quadriplegia. When facilities don’t warn about the risks or fail to keep conditions safe, they can be held accountable for any injuries.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Paralysis
Most people with quadriplegia need full-time care. Many can’t feed themselves or use the bathroom without help. Muscle atrophy sets in fast, and so does the risk of bedsores, infections, and other complications. It takes a full team of doctors, nurses, and therapists just to manage the day-to-day.
The emotional side hits just as hard. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common. Relationships change. People often withdraw from their social circles — not because they want to, but because everything suddenly feels harder.
Then there’s the financial strain. Treatment isn’t cheap, and neither is home care, special equipment, or making changes to a home or vehicle to make them more accessible. Families can burn through their life savings fast. Insurance doesn’t always cover what’s needed, and many people can’t work anymore.
Long-Term Costs and Complications
The first year after a spinal cord injury is usually the most expensive, but the costs keep coming long after the initial accident. Someone with quadriplegia can expect to spend millions of dollars over their lifetime on medical care and support. Whoever becomes their full-time caregiver often has to give up their job to help their loved one.
Even something as basic as transportation becomes complicated. A person can’t just call a cab when they’re in a power wheelchair. They need a modified vehicle or a service that can handle their equipment and needs.
How Negligence Affects Quadriplegia Cases
In many cases, quadriplegia is caused by another person’s negligence, whether it’s a distracted driver, a careless property manager, or a company that cuts corners on safety. These preventable actions can result in life-altering injuries.
The legal aspect is critical because compensation involves far more than just covering hospital bills. It’s about providing victims with the resources they need to live with dignity, including funds for lifelong care, home modifications, rehabilitation, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Victims shouldn’t bear the burden alone when someone else’s mistake caused the harm. Unfortunately, insurance companies often push back or offer inadequate settlements that fall far short of what’s truly needed.
Contact Our Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one is living with quadriplegia caused by someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face the legal and financial challenges alone. At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the profound impact these life-changing injuries can have on individuals and families..
We approach every case with compassion, dedication, and a fierce determination to protect our clients’ rights. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
For more information contact the Baltimore personal injury law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080
