Quadriplegia

Quadriplegia is a medical term referring to paralysis of all four limbs resulting from a spinal cord injury (SCI).  A quadriplegic individual also typically experiences paralysis of the torso from the shoulders down and may be unable to breathe independently.  As in the case of paraplegia, quadriplegia may be classified as complete or incomplete, depending upon whether the person has any sensation or function below the level of injury. 

The nature of any spinal cord injury depends upon its location along the spinal column, with more severe complications resulting from injuries higher up on the spine.  Quadriplegia is typically caused by an injury to one or more of the seven vertebrae in the neck region, known as the cervical spine.  These vertebrae are thinner and more flexible than other vertebrae, allowing for a fuller range of motion for the head and neck, but also making them more susceptible to fracture.  The top two cervical vertebrae, known as the atlas and axis, support the head and control the ability of the head and neck to move.  The cervical nerves control feeling and movement in the arms and upper body, as well as regulate the functioning of all the major organs and involuntary (smooth) muscles in the torso. 

Injuries are often denoted by "level," which refers to the vertebra where the damage occurred.  For instance, an injury to the spinal cord at the fifth cervical vertebra would be a C5 level injury.   Injury to the spinal cord at C1 or C2 will limit or prohibit the ability to move the head or neck.  The nerves at C3 control the diaphragm, so if the spinal cord is damaged anywhere from C1 to C3, the individual will most likely not be able to breathe without the aid of a ventilator, a mechanical device which blows air into the lungs through a tube inserted into the trachea.  A C4 injury affects the muscles in the upper body, such as the shoulders and upper arms.  Injuries from C5 to C8 affect the arms, hands, and fingers to varying degrees.  A person with an injury at C7 or C8 will have some movement in the hands and fingers, allowing for a relatively high degree of self-care and mobility with the aid of assistive technology devices and other adaptive strategies.

A quadriplegic injury will require a lifetime of care and added expenses.  Aside from health care and associated costs, quadriplegia severely diminishes an individual's ability to earn a living; employment statistics show that eight years after an injury, less than one-quarter of all quadriplegics are employed.  A qualified personal injury lawyer can help the injured individual hold those responsible for causing the injury accountable for these life-long costs. 

The attorneys at Van Blois & Associates have over 40 years of experience representing individuals throughout the Oakland area who have suffered catastrophic injuries, including SCI resulting in quadriplegia.  If you have been seriously injured due to the negligence or wrongful acts of another party, contact Van Blois & Associates today for an evaluation of your claim.