Paralysis

In the maritime industry, accidents are all too common, and the more serious accidents can lead to paralysis. Paralysis resulting from a maritime accident may affect one limb, one side of the body, both legs or the arms and legs. If you suffered paralysis from a maritime workplace accident, you have rights and may be entitled to some compensation.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

One of the leading causes of paralysis is injury to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and other tissue that runs the length of the spine, supported and protected by the vertebrae of the spinal column.

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system, which is responsible for sending signals to muscles and organs and receiving messages. When the spinal cord is damaged, these signals get interrupted and impact the ability to control or move muscles.

Physical damage to the spine can be significant enough to damage the spinal cord. It can lead to bruising, stretching, or complete tears.

Injuries may be complete or incomplete. A complete injury leads to paralysis on both sides of the body. In contrast, an incomplete injury may cause paralysis on just one side or a lesser degree of dysfunction but not complete paralysis.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis?

Paralysis can be caused by medical conditions like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, but spinal cord damage that leads to paralysis is caused by physical trauma.

A force to the spine, back, or neck can cause the spinal cord to stretch or tear. Leading causes of this spinal cord damage that often result in paralysis include:

• Car accidents
• Falls
• Birth injuries
• Assaults
• Trampoline accidents

Types of Paralysis

Paralysis is a loss of control and strength in a muscle or muscle group. Different types of paralysis are categorized by the degree of loss of function and by where in the body it occurs.

By degree of paralysis, the condition may be:

• Complete. Complete paralysis results in no ability to control a muscle.
• Partial. Partial paralysis retains some ability to control the muscles, also called paresis.
• Permanent. With permanent paralysis, there will be no regain of control.
• Temporary. If some or all control returns, the paralysis is temporary.
• Spastic. Spastic paralysis results when some control is lost, and the muscles tense and cause uncontrollable spasms.
• Flaccid. When the muscles get weak and are difficult to control, it is flaccid paralysis.

Paralysis can also be described based on where it occurs in the body. These are examples of generalized paralysis, in which larger muscle groups are affected, as opposed to just one muscle or small group:

• Monoplegia. This is paralysis in just one arm or leg.
• Diplegia. Diplegia is paralysis of both sides of the body but in just one type of muscle, such as both arms.
• Hemiplegia. Hemiplegia impacts just one side of the body.
• Paraplegia. This is the paralysis of both legs and possibly part of the abdomen or trunk.
• Quadriplegia. Quadriplegia is a loss of function in both arms and legs and potentially the entire body from the neck down.

How Is Paralysis Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for paralysis and no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord that causes paralysis. Sometimes recovery occurs to some degree or entirely, but why or how this happens isn’t understood.

In an accident that causes a spinal injury, emergency treatment is essential to prevent more damage. This involves stabilizing the body, ensuring the person is breathing, and preventing shock from setting in.

If bone or cartilage is damaged, surgery can help correct and fix it. After emergency treatment and any needed surgeries, the patient will likely need some degree of rehabilitation. This could go on for months or years if the damage is severe or less time if the injury is less serious.

A person with some degree of paralysis can benefit from ongoing therapies and assistance, including:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Mobility aids
• Assistive devices and technology

What Causes Paralysis in the Maritime Industry?

Many workplaces in the maritime industry are inherently dangerous. Even with good safety practices in place, accidents can happen. Many of these have the potential to cause damage to the spine and subsequent paralysis.

Falls, for instance, are common in ships, walkways, and port settings. These can lead to back and spine injuries. Another possibility on ships, ports, docks, and offshore rigs is that cargo, equipment, or a vehicle will strike and hurt a worker.

The causes of these types of accidents demonstrate that most could have been prevented. For instance, when the crew is not adequately trained in securing cargo or is under time pressure, cargo may come loose, shift, strike, and hurt a worker.

Another issue may be poor communication between crew members, which leads to accidents. Collisions between ships, between a ship and a bridge or dock, or the grounding of a ship can also cause workers to be violently thrown against a hard surface or object, which may cause spinal injuries and paralysis.

What to Do if You Become Paralyzed in a Maritime Job

An accident that leads to any degree of paralysis can be devastating. Complications of paralysis include loss of mobility, inability to work in the same capacity or at all, family struggles, difficulties with money, and mental health issues like depression.

The costs of rehabilitation and necessary equipment can be massive. If you suffered an accident in a maritime job that caused you to become paralyzed, you may be owed compensation.

Thanks to the Jones Act, you can seek compensation from your employer if you can prove any degree of employer negligence in your accident.

This could be due to a lack of safety gear or training, equipment maintenance, or proper navigation equipment, for instance.

Some laws ensure you can access workers’ compensation if you work offshore or as a longshoreman. Contact a maritime lawyer to help you navigate these laws, and your rights as a maritime worker are hurt on the job.