In personal injury cases, claims for various back injuries are quite common. Although the causes of the injury may vary, back injuries can be very serious and costly to the injured individual. If a back injury occurs during an accident caused by someone else, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed. In this article, we discuss different causes of back injuries, as well as that various injuries that can occur. We also highlight the signs and symptoms of back injuries and the legal options available for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
CAUSES OF BACK INJURIES
Back injuries can happen from a variety of accidents. When someone is suffering from a back injury caused by someone else, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for their injuries. Some of the most common types of accidents involving back injuries that personal injury lawyers see in their practice are:
- Car accidents – Car accidents are a common cause of back injuries in personal injury cases. Negligent drivers who engage in reckless driving can cause accidents that result in severe back injuries. For example, reckless drivers can include those distracted by their phones, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding. Whether it’s a front or rear-end collision or a T-bone accident, the impact of a collision can cause severe back injuries such as herniated discs, spinal fractures, or whiplash.
- Slip and fall accidents – Slip and fall accidents are another common cause of back injuries that can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to public sidewalks. Uneven surfaces, wet floors, poorly maintained staircases, or cluttered walkways can all contribute to slip and fall incidents that result in sprained backs, fractured vertebrae, or even spinal cord damage.
- Workplace accidents – Accidents in the workplace can also result in back injuries. Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees, and if they fail to do so, it can lead to accidents. Lifting heavy objects without the proper technique, repetitive motions, or slips and falls can lead to severe back injuries. Accidents involving falls from heights, such as from ladders or scaffolding, can also seriously injure your back due to the impact on the spine. Whether you work in construction, warehouse operations, healthcare, or any other physically demanding industry, heavy lifting or repetitive bending can lead to muscle strains, herniated discs, or spinal cord compression.
DIFFERENT BACK INJURIES
Accidents can cause several different types of back injuries. A few of the most common types of back injuries that personal injury lawyers deal with are herniated disc, sprains and strains, spinal fractures and whiplash.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the rubbery cushion between the vertebrae in your spine is damaged and presses on nearby nerves causing pain, numbness, and weakness.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HERNIATED DISC:
- Back pain – Often the first and most common symptom
- Numbness and tingling – Caused by nerve compression and can be felt in the legs, buttocks, feet or hands
- Shooting pains – Sudden, intense bursts of pain
- Impaired mobility – Difficulty walking or standing due to pain, muscle weakness, or loss of coordination
What are Spinal Fractures?
Compression fractures are often caused by osteoporosis or traumatic accidents, such as falls or car collisions. These fractures can cause severe pain, limited mobility, and changes in posture.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPINAL FRACTURES:
- Back pain – Persistent of worsening back pain after an accident
- Impaired mobility – Difficulty walking, bending, or lifting objects
- Numbness or tingling – Caused by nerve compression
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a back injury that often occurs in car accidents when the head is forcefully jerked forward or backward, causing strain on the neck muscles and ligaments. While symptoms may initially seem minor, long-term complications can arise if left untreated.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH:
- Neck pain and stiffness – Most common symptom of whiplash and can make it more difficult to move your neck or turn your head, causing discomfort and limited mobility.
- Headaches – Persistent headaches, usually at the base of the head, after an accident
- Should and back pain – Pain in the shoulders and upper back
- Numbness of tingling in the arms – A result of nerve damage or compression of the head and neck
What are Sprains and Strains?
Sprains and strains are common back injuries caused by overuse, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or sudden movements. Straining or spraining your back can result in limited range of motion, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as bending, lifting, or even sitting for extended periods of time.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPRAINS AND STRAINS:
- Lower back pain – It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, and may be accompanied by stiffness, muscle spasms, or difficulty moving.
- Limited range of motion – Difficulty in bending or twisting
- Muscle weakness – Feeling of reduced strength in the back muscles
- Muscle spasms– Involuntary muscle contractions
- Swelling and bruising – Signs of inflammation and tissue damage
- Radiating pain – Discomfort spreading to other areas
LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR BACK INJURY ACCIDENTS
If you have a back injury as the result of an accident caused by someone else, then you should contact an experienced bodily injury attorney to help you recover compensation for your injury.
At Winocour Law, we have decades of experience in personal injury cases in the Dallas area. As a small law firm, we dedicate time with each client and give personal attention to every case. We believe in justice and fairness for Texas’ injured and will fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your legal options, please call 1-214-575-6060.
References
- Back pain: In depth. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain/advanced. Accessed July 20, 2023..
- NINDS whiplash information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Whiplash-Information-Page. Accessed July 20, 2023.
- Herniated disc. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc. Accessed July 20, 2023.
- Herniated disk in the lower back. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/. Accessed July 20, 2023.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/fractures-of-the-thoracic-and-lumbar-spine. Accessed July 20, 2023.