New Technology Helps Paralyzed Man Walk Again
Researchers at UC Irvine recently helped a paralyzed man walk for the first time in several years using technology that harnesses brain waves, according to recent reports. This new technology may hold promise for those paralyzed in vehicle accidents or through other traumatic events.
Adam Fritz, 21, was permanently paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 2008 when he hit a table that had fallen off the back of a truck. However, scientists were able to link electrodes placed on his head to muscle stimulators behind his knees, allowing him to use his brain waves to control his legs.
According to researchers, this study offers several promising lines of further research, including the idea that brain signals that control walking are preserved for many years after a paralysis event.
The Future for Victims of Paralysis
While research such as this holds great promise for victims of paralysis, many victims are still confined to wheelchairs and are unable to engage in even the simplest everyday tasks that most people take for granted. Worse still, many victims of paralysis lost the use of their limbs in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
When someone is paralyzed in an accident, insurance companies may offer to pay medical bills. However, without the compensation from a personal injury settlement, the victims may not have the funds to access new technologies that could improve their quality of life. Most technology surrounding paralysis victims is very expensive; for example, one hour at a San Diego gym where victims of paralysis receive specialized training costs at least $100. If a victim is to access any new technology to help restore body function, he or she is likely to need a great deal of money.
Unfortunately, many victims choose to settle quickly with an insurance company rather than explore their options with a personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to help the victim negotiate a higher settlement that will pay for better lifetime care or to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to force insurance companies to pay a fair amount in a paralysis case.
It is important to remember that paralysis victims may face the rest of their lives without the function of their limbs or other parts of their bodies. Therefore, a personal injury attorney like Daniel M. Gilleon in San Diego may be able to help them recover compensation in an amount sufficient to pay for a lifetime of benefits. Call today for a free consultation to learn more about how Dan Gilleon can assist you in fighting for your rights.
