Common Back and Spine Injuries Caused by Negligence

Even a relatively minor injury to the back or spine can induce significant discomfort, pain, and even disability. If the negligence or recklessness of another party in the Los Angeles area has led to the injury of your spine, you may have a solid case to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit.

The spine consists of many vital elements, including bones, muscles, sensitive nerves, ligaments, and tendons. The entire back structure is designed to protect the nerves from damage in addition to providing the body with flexibility and strength for effective movement of the torso. Injuries to the back and spine, however, can occur in many and various ways, and the consequences of these injuries can include severe pain and hindrance to mobility.

Specific medical classifications of back and spine injuries that can result from the negligence of others include:

• Thoracic Spine Injuries:These injuries occur in the upper back and spinal cord that connects to the chest and ribs. An injury to the thoracic vertebrae tends to be quite serious and can result in permanent nerve damage, and in the worst cases, paralysis.
• Lumbar Spine Injuries:These injuries affect the lower back and lower (lumbar) vertebrae. They often cause the most pain among the various types of spinal injuries even though they may not produce nerve damage or paralysis.
• Cervical Spine Injuries:The neck contains the cervical vertebrae. Injury to this area often occurs during a car crash and is referred to as whiplash.
• Spinal Abscess: This condition results from the infiltration of bacteria into the spinal cord, leading to serious and sharp pain, loss of sensation, or loss of bladder control. If left undiagnosed it can lead to more serious infection throughout the body, permanent spinal cord damage, and even death.
• Herniated Disks: This condition affects the cushioning between your vertebrae, and often causes acute and/or chronic pain. Victims may also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the muscles.
• Sprains and Strains: The most common sprains and strains occur in the lower back. The soft tissues in your back can become inflamed, causing pain or spasms. Most people will entirely recover, but it could require you to miss work, take medications, or undergo physical therapy.

Some additional injuries to the back and spine commonly sustained include soft tissue bruising and tearing, dislocations, and compression fractures, among others.

Diagnosing injuries to the back and spine

Accidents often lead to various types of back injuries – in particular car crashes and slip and fall incidents. When these accidents occur, it is vital to obtain proper medical care as soon as possible. Doctors are able to use a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the type and extent of the damage and also suggest the optimum course of treatment. The diagnostic tests used to evaluate potential back and spine injuries include x-rays, computed tomography, and resonance imaging.

Treating back and spine Injuries

Certain back and spine injuries may respond to treatment quickly and others may respond slowly or linger for many months and even years. The degree to which a patient is able to recover original function and mobility varies as well based on the specific injury and the type of treatment provided.

Some of the treatment protocols prescribed for patients suffering from back and spine injuries include surgery, medication, physical therapy, and steroid shots.

Recovering compensation

If you believe another person or entity is responsible for a back or spine injury you recently sustained, you may have the right to recover significant compensation for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit.

Although securing a favorable monetary award in court will not immediately remove your injuries or pain, it will assign proper responsibility to the offending party and help you pay for important obligations arising from your injury. This financial compensation can help you pay your medical bills, regain financial stability, and continue receiving the care you need on your road to physical recovery and healing. Compensation provided due to a back injury caused by another party’s negligence can help replace some of your future earnings as well if you are unable to return to work.

If the negligent behavior of another party has caused your back or spine injury, the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Taylor & Ring can pursue proper compensation on your behalf. To learn about your options with a free consultation, call us today at 310.776.6390 or fill out our contact form.