Cucalon v. Staten Island Univ. Hosp is a medical malpractice case that started off with the patient being diagnosed with a herniated disc and after treatment ending up with paraplegia. A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher outer layer. When a disc herniates, the inner core (nucleus pulposus) can press on nearby nerves or the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the area of the body where the affected nerve travels. Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the herniated disc and the amount of pressure it puts on surrounding structures.
Paraplegia is a condition characterized by impairment or loss of movement and sensation in the lower half of the body, including both legs and often the lower trunk. It results from damage to the spinal cord, typically at the thoracic (chest) level or below. This damage disrupts the communication between the brain and the parts of the body below the injury site, leading to paralysis. Paraplegia is usually caused by traumatic injuries such as spinal cord trauma from accidents, falls, or sports injuries. However, it can also be caused by medical malpractice. That plaintiff in this case alleges that his paraplegia was due to mistakes made by the anesthesiologist.
Background Facts