How Do Brain and Spinal Cord Bleeds Cause Paralysis?

By Matthew McNicholas | June 6, 2023

How Do Brain and Spinal Cord Bleeds Cause Paralysis?The brain and spinal cord play a significant role in transmitting messages and controlling movement throughout the body. Therefore, if there is a bleed or injury in either of these parts of the body, there may be a disturbance in the messages being sent to the body parts and limbs. This can lead to paralysis.

According to MedlinePlus, paralysis is “the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It happens when something goes wrong with the way messages pass between your brain and muscles.” This means that any part of the body with muscles may be affected. If you lose all muscle function, you will suffer complete paralysis. If you retain some function, you will experience incomplete paralysis.

People can be paralyzed by many things, including: trauma, allergic reactions, or untreated infections. Internal bleeding in or around the brain and spinal cord can also lead to paralysis. Unless the condition is diagnosed and treated quickly, the result can be long-term or permanent loss of muscle function.

How does a brain bleed lead to paralysis?

The most common type of brain bleed that leads to paralysis is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. If an individual is diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, they have bleeding in the area surrounding the brain. These types of bleeds often occur when part of a blood vessel ruptures and starts leaking, which is referred to as an aneurysm. Blood starts to form around the brain and in the skull, which causes extreme pressure to form on the brain. This pressure may eventually damage the brain cells, resulting in paralysis, and other severe disabilities.

If blood makes its way through the brain tissue and begins pooling around the area surrounding the brain (the subarachnoid area), medical attention must be sought immediately. If an individual does not receive medical treatment quickly enough, the situation may become deadly. Coma, paralysis, or death are all potential consequences.

How does a spinal cord bleed lead to paralysis?

The spinal cord (like your brain) is made up of three membrane layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater. When bleeding occurs between these layers, it may cause a spinal subdural hematoma to form. This can disrupt the transmission of messages between the brain and rest of the body, which may lead to pain, numbness, and paralysis.

Spinal cord bleeds often occur due to some type of trauma to the spine. This means that if an individual is struck in the back with a hard object, they may experience spinal trauma, which can trigger bleeding within the layers of the spinal cord.

Accidents that may cause paralysis

There are a variety of different accidents that may cause paralysis. We represent people who have suffered life-altering injuries because of:

The types of losses you can claim in a Los Angeles paralysis case

Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your paralysis case, there may be different types of losses that you can claim. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers help paralysis victims recover compensation for their injuries if they were caused by another party’s negligent behavior. When you take the time to determine your losses, it is important that you make note of both economic and non-economic losses, as both are equally important for victims of paralysis. These may include:

  • Medical expenses, including medications, rehabilitation, ongoing therapies, and surgical interventions
  • Medical devices, including adaptive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, breathing apparatuses, and more
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
  • Loss of companionship
  • Hired services or out-of-pocket household costs
  • Counseling or psychological therapy
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Home modification
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental trauma
  • Emotional distress

How much compensation can you receive for a paralysis case?

There is no specific amount of compensation automatically awarded to paralysis victims. Instead, it depends on the severity of injuries, the prognosis and treatment plan, your expected lifespan, and your current and expected losses, including loss of income. Accident victims who suffer complete paralysis will likely require more medical treatments and care over time — which is a compensable loss.

This may sound challenging, but our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will meet with you to learn about the factors that determine how much compensation you may recover. Once we hear about your experience, we will be able to evaluate the true extent of your losses. From there, we can work with financial planners and life care planners to determine what a fair and just award will be.

The time frame you have to file a paralysis claim

In Los Angeles and other California cities, you have two years to file a personal injury claim, which includes paralysis injuries. A personal injury attorney from our firm will ensure that your case remains organized and timely meets all necessary deadlines.

Paralysis comes with life-long challenges and obstacles that you must learn to face. Therefore, you need a personal injury lawyer who will advocate for your needs and desires as well as stand up for your right to the compensation you are owed. At McNicholas & McNicholas, our goal is to help our clients live comfortable lives after their injuries, which is why we will do everything possible to make sure that your settlement is fair. Call our office or submit our contact form for the legal assistance you deserve, and we will schedule your remote consultation for free. Our team will file your claim, collect the appropriate evidence, and build a strong case against the defendant, while you focus on your recovery.

Please note that this blog is not legal advice. Every legal case is very fact specific. Therefore, if you need legal advice, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer about your case.

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