If you are unable to work because of Paralysis you may be able to make a TPD claim for a lump sum from the Total & Permanent Disablement insurance contained within your superannuation fund. There is no necessity for you to have been involved in an accident or to have suffered a work related injury to make a TPD claim. If you suffer from total and permanent disability, you may be able to make a TPD paralysis claim in addition to receiving your super early as a result of your condition. Our TPD claim solicitors can advise you in detail as to the requirements of a successful submission, they will prepare all relevant paperwork and will obtain full supporting documentation. Our TPD lawyers will give you advice on the likely success of your claim to a super fund, without further obligation. It costs nothing to use our advice service.

Our TPD claim solicitors use a risk free no win no fee arrangement.

We have offices situated in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Darwin.

Paralysis TPD

Paralysis represents the loss of the function of the muscles of the body. It happens when the nerves are damaged in the spinal cord, the brain or in smaller parts of the body, as in a regional paralysis. You can have complete or partial paralysis and you can have paralysis on one side or on both sides of the body. Paralysis of the lower part of the body is called paraplegia; paralysis of both the arms and legs is called quadriplegia; paralysis of half of the body (left or right) is called hemiplegia or hemiparesis.

Paralysis can be due to a spinal cord injury, a stroke or a surgical mistake. You can also have nerve diseases that affect the nerves, such as in Guillain-Barre disease, Bell’s palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Anything that disrupts the connection between the brain and the peripheral nerves will cause paralysis. Paralysis can involve just one leg, one arm or a combination of arms and legs. You can have paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can cause under-breathing and death due to lack of ability to breathe.

There is a thin line between weakness of a limb or muscle and paralysis of the affected area. Some conditions can start with weakness and can progress to paralysis. Strength can be restored in a paralysed area of the body through regeneration of the nerve and physical therapy. The muscle tone in paralysis can be completely flaccid or can be stiff and spastic. Spasticity worsens with movement of the muscle. Paralysis doesn’t usually affect a single muscle but affects a group of muscles or an entire limb.

The causes of paralysis include those things that affect the brain, the spinal cord or the peripheral nerves. Strokes are a common cause of paralysis as are tumours, trauma to the spinal cord or brain, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, a metabolic disorder, compression syndrome (as in carpal tunnel), Guillain Barre disease, chronic inflammation of the nerves, radiation to the nerves and toxins or poisons.

Symptoms of paralysis are an inability to move the muscle group, numbness of the muscle group and sometimes spasticity of the muscles. If you have diplegia, it is often from the brain and is a result of cerebral palsy or stroke. Monoplegia results from isolated damage to the peripheral nervous system or a portion of the spinal cord. MS can show fluctuating paralysis depending on when the disease is active or not. Sudden paralysis is usually from an injury to the brain or spinal cord, or to a stroke. Spreading paralysis is seen in Guillain Barre disease, degenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, inherited demyelinating disease or inflammatory diseases.

Other symptoms related to paralysis include tingling and numbness of the affected area, localized pain, difficulties with speech or vision, balance problems and coordination difficulties. If you have a spinal cord injury, you are more likely to have a loss of sexual function and bowel or bladder function. If the spinal cord injury is high, breathing problems are likely.

Doctors diagnose paralysis by doing a complete history and neurological examination. The examination can show abnormalities of the reflexes, strength and sensation. Nerve function studies can be done which show abnormalities of the motor nerves. CT scan of the of the spine and brain can show the presence of a tumour, bleed or injury.

Treatment of paralysis depends on where the paralysis is located. Physical therapy is a common form of therapy for paralysis and can strengthen the muscles. Things like spasticity can be controlled with physical therapy and with braces or splints. Occupational therapy is used to teach the individual to do things around the home or work despite areas of paralysis.

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