Paralysis After an Accident: Can People Walk Again?

Can people walk again after being paralyzed?

Some people do regain some movement after paralysis. But recovery varies widely. Two things matter most. The first is where the spinal cord was injured. The second is whether the injury is complete or incomplete. No one can predict how one person’s injury will turn out. Your loved one’s doctors are the best source for what to expect in their case.

If someone you love was hurt in a crash, a fall, or an attack, you may have many questions at once. This page explains the medical side in plain language. It also covers the Florida legal timeline. Deadlines matter.

What does paralysis after an accident mean?

Paralysis means losing movement in part of the body. It often happens when the spinal cord, or the nerves that branch from it, is damaged. Paralysis can also cause a loss of feeling below the injury. Trauma, such as a car accident, can cause it.

Your spinal cord carries signals between your brain and the rest of your body. Three layers of protective tissue surround it. A fluid called cerebrospinal fluid also cushions it against shock. This is according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Why does the level of the injury matter?

The level of the injury decides which body parts lose movement. Doctors describe the spine in sections. Each section controls a different area.

• Cervical nerves (C1 to C7), in the neck. These send signals to the back of the head, the neck and shoulders, the arms, and the hands. They also control the diaphragm, the main muscle that drives breathing.
• Thoracic nerves (T1 to T12), in the upper and mid-back. These control the chest muscles, some back muscles, and many organ systems. Thoracic injuries mainly affect the legs.
• Lumbar (L1 to L5) and sacral (S1 to S5) nerves, in the lower back. These control the legs, the feet, and parts of the buttocks and genital organs.

According to NINDS, an injury between C1 and C4 can stop breathing. Those nerves drive the diaphragm and let the lungs expand. Injuries high in the neck are medical emergencies.

MedlinePlus explains that a spinal cord injury can cause paralysis or weakness below the injury. Cervical injuries can affect both the arms and the legs. Thoracic injuries mainly affect the legs.

Does a complete or incomplete injury change the outlook?

Yes. Doctors often sort spinal cord injuries into two groups: complete and incomplete. This difference shapes what the family can expect to watch for over time.

MedlinePlus distinguishes complete spinal cord injury from incomplete injury. Ask the treating doctors which type your loved one has. Ask what it means for movement and feeling. That answer is the starting point for understanding recovery.

Can a person walk again after paralysis?

Walking after paralysis depends on the level and completeness of the injury. It also depends on each person’s medical course. Some people regain some movement or feeling over time. Others may not. No one can promise a specific result.

Many families find that recovery comes slowly and in stages. Follow the care plan your doctors set. Rehabilitation, therapy, and medical follow-up all play a part in daily life after a serious injury.

What does a catastrophic injury mean for the family?

A catastrophic injury often changes the whole household. Spinal cord injuries can bring large medical bills in the first year. They can also bring ongoing costs after that. The Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission reports that motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. It also reports that severe injuries can involve substantial first-year and ongoing medical expenses.

Families often take on caregiving, home changes, and lost income. Keeping records of bills, appointments, and work time can help later. Our spinal cord injury claims page covers the types of claims these families may bring.

How long do you have to file a claim in Florida?

For most Florida negligence and personal-injury claims that accrue after March 24, 2023, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(a)).

Deadlines apply to every case. They can be hard to track during recovery. Contact a lawyer promptly so the timeline is not lost while the family focuses on care.

How does Florida’s fault rule affect a claim?

Florida uses modified comparative fault for negligence actions filed after March 24, 2023. Comparative fault means each person’s share of blame is weighed. Under Florida Statutes section 768.81, any party found to be greater than 50 percent at fault for his or her own harm may not recover any damages, though this does not apply to an action for personal injury or wrongful death arising out of medical negligence under chapter 766. Under Florida’s comparative fault law, contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as economic and noneconomic damages for an injury attributable to the claimant’s contributory fault, but does not bar recovery, subject to subsection (6).

The other side may argue that the injured person shares some blame. Evidence from the scene, witnesses, and records can shape that argument.

Who can file a claim when a loved one is paralyzed?

A family may be able to bring a claim when the injured person’s life has changed in a serious way. Claims differ by case. The facts of the accident and the injury matter. Our firm helps injured people and their families understand their options under Florida law.

Negligent security cases also deserve attention. Someone assaulted or shot on another person’s property may have a claim against the property owner. Examples include working locks, lighting, cameras, or guards. Injuries from these attacks can be catastrophic too.

Frequently asked questions

Talk with our team

If someone you love is living with paralysis after an accident, you may be carrying many decisions alone. Our team can listen. We can answer your questions about the legal timeline and explain your options under Florida law. Igor Hernandez, a lawyer with our firm, is responsible for this page.

Contact us for a free, confidential first consultation, with no obligation to continue. Contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers.