Back injuries result from a variety of causes. They occur as a result of auto accidents, falls, workplace incidents, and injuries caused by assault or criminal violence. No matter the cause of your back injury, you may find it completely debilitating. You might struggle to continue working and going about your business.
Read on to learn more about the common back injuries that lead to lawsuits, often to cover hefty medical bills and pain and suffering.
Compression Fractures
While compression fractures are more common with age, a fracture can happen to anybody as the result of an accident. The symptoms of a compression fracture include pain while standing or walking, difficulty twisting, curving of the spine, and even loss of height. You are more likely to feel pain during activities that involve picking things up and bending down.
Disc Injuries
The discs are the cushions that rest between the vertebrae. The discs feel somewhat like jelly. Unfortunately, these discs are prone to injury in accidents and falls. Herniated discs are more common in the lower back, but they could also appear in the neck.
The symptoms of a herniated disc include back pain, leg pain, arm pain, tingling, and weakness. Disc injuries can prompt strange responses because they have such a strong relationship with the body’s nerves. Though the injury could be in your back, you might feel the pain in your leg.
Nerve Damage
Injuries impact your back can also cause pain throughout the rest of your body, just like with disc injuries. Nerves can be cut or stretched, sometimes because of pressure. While many nerve injuries are permanent, a doctor might be able to ease the painful symptoms.
Strains & Sprains
Back strains occur when the muscle fibers overstretch or tear. The result is inflamed tissue and sometimes intense pain. Some people experience muscle spasms, a limited range of motion, and debilitating pain that can last for a few weeks.
Vertebrae Fracture
Force injuries often cause fractures of the vertebrae, which are the parts making up the spinal column. The injury resulting from the fracture can range from mild to severe, but the pain may still be intense even with a mild fracture. Vertebrae fractures often require surgery, which can be painful and expensive.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries vary in severity, and damage to the spinal cord can prompt issues like loss of movement, loss of bladder control, and changes in sexual function. In addition to severe pain, individuals with spinal cord injuries also exhibit symptoms like difficulty breathing, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Some people even experience some paralysis throughout the body.
Neck Injuries
Neck pain often feels like a kink or stiffness in the neck, but the problem could extend way beyond this. Neck injuries can impact the bones and joints in the back close to the spine, cervical discs, and ligaments. Many people experience neck pain even after mundane activities, like sleeping in a strange position. Injuries differ in that they are often prompted by force that may prompt straining or spraining of the neck or even a neck injury that extends into the spine.
What to Do If You Have a Back Injury
If you experienced a back injury, you have the legal right to seek compensation for damages. These damages include lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life. A legal team will advise you as to how to achieve your desired results after an accident.
Are you contending with a back injury? You may be eligible to receive compensation. Contact The Jaklitsch Law Group today to learn how.
