Paraplegia is the loss of movement of the lower part of the body, essentially from the waist down. While quadriplegia is the loss of movement of a person’s arms and legs and essentially, the loss of control of muscles from the neck down, paraplegia is still the result of major damage to a person’s spine.

Paraplegia is also paralysis. However it is paralysis of the lower body. In addition, when one has suffered paraplegia, they may also incur injuries to other parts of their bodies, especially when the cause of the paraplegia is a car accident, work injury, violence, sporting injury or as the result of a fall.

Often paraplegia results as a consequence of someone’s negligence. That negligence may be the negligence of another driver, a co-worker, the manufacturer of a dangerous product or machinery. Even where negligence isn’t necessarily involved, paraplegia can be the result of working in a dangerous situation, such as on a fishing vessel that by virtue of its condition is deemed to be the cause of the injury under the Jones Act.

Paraplegic injuries are normally due to an injury to the spinal cord and what is often referred to as an orthopedic injury. Such injuries often occur in connection with horrific auto or motorcycle accidents, bicycle or truck accidents, bus, pedestrian and airplane accidents and even in unexpected situations such as a slip and fall that can have unforseen consequences.

Paraplegia also often causes additional symptoms such as the loss of bladder control, loss of sexual function, back spasms and a shortened life expectancy. The financial and emotional toll on a person suffering from paraplegia can also cause severe emotional trauma.

If you believe there is the possibility that your paraplegia, or that of a loved one, is due to the actions of another person or entity, we would encourage you to contact the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson for an analysis of your case. If your condition was caused by the negligence of another, you may be entitled to your medical costs and future medical treatment, loss of past, present and future income, and money for your pain and suffering.

Whether your accident has occurred in San Diego, Orange County, Long Beach, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire areas of Palm Springs, Riverside, Temecula, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, the Central Coast areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo or anywhere in Southern California, the offices of R. Sebastian Gibson can help you.

Sebastian Gibson is a practicing personal injury attorney who represents clients throughout Southern California from his main offices in Rancho Mirage, California. The law firm’s web site is www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com and he can be reached by calling (800) 589-3202.