Ross F. Mann | September 26, 2025 | Personal Injury
Hemiplegia is a condition that causes paralysis on one side of the body. It’s often the result of a brain injury or spinal cord damage, and it can manifest without warning. Hemiplegia is a serious, life-altering condition generally associated with strokes, and for good reason. Strokes are the leading cause of this kind of paralysis—but they’re not the only source.
Causes and Symptoms of Hemiplegia
If you develop hemiplegia, simple tasks like buttoning a shirt, using a phone, or getting in and out of a car can suddenly become complicated or even impossible without help. It isn’t only the physical challenges, either. The impact can extend to mental health. Anxiety, depression, and frustration often show up after the injury, especially if a person was fully independent before.
Aside from strokes, a number of different events may cause hemiplegia, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injury: A hard blow to the head—like in car crashes, falls, or violent assaults—can disrupt brain function and lead to paralysis.
- Birth Injury: If a baby experiences oxygen loss or trauma during delivery, they may develop hemiplegia early in life.
- Brain Tumors: A growing mass can put pressure on areas of the brain that control movement.
- Infections: Conditions like encephalitis or meningitis can cause swelling in the brain that leads to nerve damage.
The most apparent symptom of hemiplegia is paralysis, but it can present in different ways. Some people lose feeling on the affected side. Others deal with muscle stiffness, spasms, or pain.
Balance and coordination can also be major issues. Imagine trying to walk when one leg drags or doesn’t move at all.
Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided Hemiplegia
The side of the body that is paralyzed depends on which part of the brain was injured. If the left side of the brain is damaged, the right side of the body is affected, and vice versa. The effects can go beyond just physical paralysis. Depending on the area of the brain involved, a person might also struggle with speech, memory, or even emotional regulation.
Treatment and Outlook
There’s no cure for hemiplegia, but some people improve over time with rehab. Physical therapy helps rebuild strength and retrain muscles, while occupational therapy focuses on daily activities — things like cooking, dressing, and using adaptive tools. Speech therapy may be needed if language or swallowing is affected.
A person’s recovery depends on the cause of the hemiplegia, how quickly they got medical care, and the severity of the brain damage. Some people regain movement; others don’t. Many need long-term assistance or round-the-clock care.
Long-Term Impacts
Hemiplegia is a condition that touches every part of a person’s life. In the long term, it often means a total shift in how someone lives. They may need home modifications such as ramps, stair lifts, and grab bars just to stay safe. A person might have to stop working or change careers entirely.
Treatment doesn’t come cheap, either, so financial strain is very common with this type of injury. Another layer of frustration and stress is added if someone else’s negligence was responsible. Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce or deny payouts because of the costly medical care. This means many victims must file a personal injury lawsuit to be fully and fairly compensated for their losses.
Contact Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation With Our Lexington Personal Injury Attorneys
Hemiplegia affects how people move, speak, work, and connect with others. It’s not always visible to the outside world, but its impact runs deep. Knowing what hemiplegia is and what causes it can help people understand the road ahead, especially when that road includes fighting for justice after an injury.
At Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have decades of combined experience and have recovered $150+ million in compensation for accident victims, including those who suffered from hemiplegia after a serious accident.
If you were injured in an accident in Lexington, and need legal help, contact our personal injury attorneys at Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review today.
We proudly serve Fayette County and the surrounding areas.
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers – Lexington
501 Darby Creek Rd UNIT 48
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 413-3900
