Trying to get through life after suffering a minor or severe back or neck injury isn’t an easy thing to do. The aching, burning, and unbearable stabbing pains that are most often associated with a back or neck injury can impact a person’s life and their ability to work. Although back and neck injuries can be sustained by doing something simple such as lifting a heavy box or sitting in an uncomfortable position for a prolonged period of time, these types of injuries are often sustained after a car crash, slip and fall incident, or work accident.
If you suffered a back or neck injury in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence (i.e. another motorist, your employer, etc.), you may be entitled to compensation to make up for the impact your injuries will have or have already had on your life. In addition to this, you may also be eligible to recover compensation for the medical expenses that are associated with your injuries. To discuss the likelihood of you collecting compensation for the back and neck injuries you suffered, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. to speak with an Iowa personal injury attorney.
Back Injuries and How They Affect Your Life
Back issues stand as one of the most common complaints doctors hear from their patients. In fact, the Health Policy Institute says that back pain is the “sixth most costly condition in the U.S.” It is estimated that nearly 16 million adults experience persistent or chronic back pain and approximately 83 million days of work are lost each year as a result of it. Although many of the individuals that contribute to the existence of these statistics suffer from back pain that stemmed from a health condition or stress, others experience it as a result of a preventable accident they were involved in.
Aside from the pain and discomfort a person might feel from the back injury they suffered, they may also be limited in their physical abilities, preventing them from exercising, working, playing sports, spending time with kids, etc. If your back injury is stopping you from doing any of the things you love and/or causing you a significant amount of pain, you may be able to recover compensation to make up for this from the at-fault party and/or their insurer.
Types of Compensable Back Injuries
While there are many ways in which an accident can injure a person’s back, some of the more common types of injuries we see include:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated discs– Some of the symptoms that are associated with a herniated disc include, but are not limited to, pain in your arm or leg, numbness or tingling in one or more areas of your back, and weakness.
- Fractured vertebra– Spinal fractures are much different than a broken arm or leg, suggests the Mayfield Clinic. When a vertebra is fractured, it “can cause bone fragments to pinch and damage the spinal nerves or spinal cord.” A person who has suffered a fractured vertebra might not only experience pain and difficulty with walking, but they may also be restricted from moving their arms or legs (paralysis). While some fractures are able to heal with “conservative treatment,” other injuries might be more extensive and require surgery.
The Impact of a Neck Injury
A person who suffered a neck injury in an accident might experience pain that is similar to or worse than a back injury. This type of injury, depending on how severe it is, can result in a person experiencing short-term and even long-term effects. Whiplash is a common neck injury that is often suffered in a rear-end car crash but can also be sustained in other types of incidents that rapidly force an individual’s neck back-and-forth. Some other examples of neck injuries that are often sustained in an accident include:
- Neck fracture
- Herniated disc
- Cervical dislocation
- Neck sprain or strain
Getting through each day with a neck injury might be difficult or even feel impossible at times. Working might be out of the question right now and you may even be relying on family and friends to help you with your everyday tasks. Although money isn’t going to mend your injuries or erase the traumatic event from your life, it can help you afford the various costs that could make the recovery process easier for you to get through.
Steps you must take if you want to recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to for the back or neck injury you suffered.
If you suffered a neck or back injury in an accident in Iowa that was caused by another person or entity’s negligent behavior, contact our Iowa personal injury law firm. Our skilled injury attorneys can explain the legal remedies that are available to you that can help you get closer to recovering the compensation you not only need but are also entitled to.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
Website: www.eellsandtronvold.com
