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Hugh Howerton is one of America's top rated personal injury attorneys and specializes in tetraplegia/quadriplegia injury cases. Hugh Howerton knows that everything is at stake with these most serious of all injuries. It takes a special and skilled attorney to represent the best interests of someone who has sufferred a tetraplegia/quadriplegia injury.
Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia is when a person has a spinal cord injury above the first thoracic vertebra, paralysis usually affects the cervical spinal nerves resulting in paralysis of all four limbs. In addition to the arms and legs being paralyzed, the abdominal and chest muscles will also be affected resulting in weakened breathing and the inability to properly cough and clear the chest.
The most common cervical level for spinal cord injury is C5, followed by C6 and then C4. T12 is the most common thoracic level for spinal cord injury.
The spinal cord "level of injury" is named for the last preserved or normal level of motor and sensory function. Therefore, with a C4 quadriplegia, the motor and sensory nerves are intact down to the C4 level; C5 and below are affected.
Spinal Cord Injury Levels - C1, C2, C3 Quadriplegic
This level of injury is generally the most serious. A spinal cord injury at these levels of the neck usually results in complete paralysis of the arms, legs and body. There may be limited movement of the head and neck. The sympathetic nervous system will be affected. The person with this injury will usually require total assistance in activities of daily living, changing positions in bed, and transfer from bed to vehicle. Because of the person’s inability to breathe using their diaphragm, they will likely require a ventilator.
Spinal Cord Injury Level C-4
A person with this level of injury may have full head and neck movement and limited shoulder movement. They will require total assistance when transferring from a bed to a wheelchair and from a wheelchair into a car. Generally this person will be able to breathe without a ventilator using the diaphragm. Assistance is required for activities of daily living.
Spinal Cord Injury Level C5
A person with this level of injury may have full head and neck movement with good muscle strength and may have good shoulder movement. They will require total assistance when transferring from a bed to a wheelchair and from a wheelchair into a car. Electric wheelchair can be used for uneven surfaces and a manual wheelchair may be used for short distances on flat surfaces. Generally this person will be able to breathe without a ventilator. The person can have the ability to feed themself using a feeding strap and fork or spoon during meal. The person may be able to drive a car with special hand cpntrols
Generally, the earlier the person’s recovery begins the better the outcome. Most recovery occurs during the first six months, and may continue up to two years after the injury. Patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries have a better chance of recovery than those with complete lesions.
In tetraplegia-quadriplegia cases “Day-In-The-Life’ videos are created to show how the clients are affected by their injury. Since future medical care costs are generally very expensive with this type of injury Mr. Howerton hires qualified expert witnesses in life care planning and economics to determine and prove the cost future medical care and calculate the loss of future earning capacity so that the full measure of his client’s losses are proven.
Get Help Now
To get help now from Hugh Howerton, an experienced and successful spinal injury attorney call 1-877-984-9848 or simply fill out the quick contact form.
Hugh Howerton handles tetraplegia-quadriplegia spinal cord injury cases in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, ElPaso, Austin, Beaumont, Laredo & McAllen
Hugh Howerton also accepts tetraplegia/quadriplegia injury cases in the following states: Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Lousiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, New Mexico, California, Arizona and Florida. If you live in another state call us and we may be able to help you. If not, we can help you locate a competent attorney in your area.
