Our Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer understands how difficult it is to work and enjoy life when you have a debilitating back injury. Back injuries can put the spinal cord at risk. A severe back injury can result in paralysis and even death. Due to the potential severity of back injuries, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention after an accident.
A seemingly minor back injury could cause spinal cord damage if not treated properly. Even ostensibly minor back injuries can result in chronic pain that affects your daily life for years. You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident to give your body the best chance of recovering from its injuries.
After your medical needs have been addressed, you should consult with our Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer from Haffner Law. You are entitled to compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. This compensation can reach millions of dollars if spinal cord injury cases result in paralysis or death. You must protect your legal right to pay your medical bills and provide for your family. Call our law office today for a free case review.
Why Do I Need a Back Injury Lawyer in California?
Injuries to the back can cause permanent impairments and have a negative effect on the rest of your life. These wounds must be treated as soon as possible to prevent long-term consequences. Hiring our Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer will greatly benefit your personal injury case because:
Insurance Companies Are Not Looking Out for Your Best Interests
Insurance companies can continue operations because they employ trained professionals to reduce the number of claims paid out to beneficiaries. With minor back injuries, it is even more crucial that you seek the assistance of our Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer as insurers will attempt to discredit your claim.
Determine the Number of Damages to Which You Are Entitled
Our competent personal injury lawyer has extensive knowledge of personal injury law. Before filing a lawsuit, we can assist you in determining the value of your claim and determining your legal entitlements.
We Conduct Negotiations on Your Behalf
Insurance companies are cunning negotiators. They are trained to take advantage of those who lack complete knowledge of their legal rights. Having our Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer negotiate on your behalf is essential to obtaining a fair settlement for your personal injury claim.
Health Care Coverage
Medical expenses can add up quickly and exacerbate an already painful experience. Insurance companies will attempt to cover as little as possible, but if the injury was not your fault, all of your medical bills and related expenses must be covered. The personal injury attorneys at Haffner Law can assist you in obtaining medical coverage and compensation.
What is a Back Injury?
Minor back injuries, such as strained muscles, can be as severe as paralysis. They may affect the spinal column, vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, skeletal structure, or particular organs. If a motorist knocks you off your bicycle, you may fracture some of the back’s delicate bones.
If you fall on an icy walkway, you could injure your spine, tear a ligament, or strain your lower back muscles. One of the conditions that can result from a traumatic back injury is spondylolisthesis. Symptoms include leg and gluteal pain, lower back pain, and muscle weakness.
Depending on the severity of the condition, extensive physical therapy or even surgery may be required. The same holds for other types of back injuries.
What are the Most Common Causes of Back Injuries?
Accidents can occur in a variety of ways, but the following are the most common types of accidents that can result in back injuries:
- Car accident
- Commercial truck collisions
- Slip and falls
- Sidewalk accident
- Parking lot accidents
- Wet floors
- Falls from heights
- Occupational accidents
- Bicycle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Scooter collisions
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator accident
For a back injury victim to receive compensation for losses related to the injury, they must clearly show that another party acted negligently and should be held liable for causing the accident and injury.
Examples of negligence that may result in an accident with injuries include distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving, permitting dangerous conditions on a property, and selling defective products. Negligence is a frequently intricate legal concept, and the law requires an injured party to provide sufficient evidence to prove a negligence claim.
It is crucial to have on your side our personal injury law firm. We have the resources to gather evidence of negligence and the knowledge to present that evidence in a way that will allow you to successfully settle your case or prove your claim in court.
What Are the Most Typical Back Injuries?
The back and spine are composed of tendons, muscles, ligaments, bones, joints, and nerves. When the body is shaken, struck, or jolted, one or more of these vulnerable structures can be injured, and because all of these systems work together to provide a healthy, functional back, damage to one can quickly spread to the others.
The following are some of the most common back injuries sustained in accidents:
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is a form of paralysis in which the ability to control anything below the waist is severely limited or lost. In most cases, this is the result of a thoracic spinal cord injury.
Loss of sensation in the lower body, pain, impaired mobility, sexual dysfunction, and difficulty with bowel and bladder function are symptoms of the onset of paraplegia.
There is no cure for paraplegia, but with the right medical knowledge, physical therapy, and time, you can alleviate some of the symptoms and regain partial control of your lower body.
Quadriplegia
Damage to the cervical region of the spine causes quadriplegia, which results in paralysis from the neck down. Due to the extensive number of procedures required, paraplegic and quadriplegic spinal cord injury victims can quickly become indebted.
This is why it is essential for victims in this circumstance to work with personal injury attorneys who can provide legal counsel and assist in obtaining compensation from insurance companies.
Muscle Strain and Soft Tissue Injuries
During an accident, muscles frequently pull or tear. In such cases, the muscle may become damaged and begin to attack the tendons.
Heavy lifting, athletics, and everyday activities can also cause muscle strain. In addition, repetitive tasks that involve heavy lifting or otherwise place stress on the muscles may cause muscle strain.
Depending on the nature of the accident or action that led to the injury, all or a portion of the muscle fibers may be torn. If all fibers are damaged, the injury may be characterized by broken blood vessels, bruising, localized bleeding, and pain. Muscle strain is characterized by:
- swelling
- bruises
- open cuts
- pain (when the muscle is used or at rest)
- immobility of muscles
Mild cases of muscle strain can be treated at home, but severe cases require medical care. In general, muscle injuries that last longer than 24 hours may require treatment. Immediately seek medical attention if home remedies fail to alleviate your pain and other symptoms.
Whiplash
This type of injury is frequently caused by motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, falls, sports injuries, and other forms of trauma. In some instances, whiplash can cause damage to the neck’s joints and disks. Whiplash victims may experience fatigue, numbness, tingling, pain, stiffness, vertigo, and sleeplessness. This type of injury is not life-threatening, but it frequently requires medical attention.
Herniated Discs
This injury occurs when the nucleus pulposus (the soft material within the disc) is pushed out. If the nucleus pulposus is expelled from the disc and onto the nerve root, the injury may become excruciatingly painful.
Moreover, the accident victim may experience weakness, numbness, and pain. Herniated disc injuries may be caused by sudden stress, accidents, or repetitive joint stress. These injuries are frequently caused by repeated heavy lifting or accidents involving a neck or spine twist.
Broken Bones
Fractures of vertebrae can compress or pinch the spinal cord, resulting in pain and discomfort. Vertebral fracture symptoms include pain that worsens when walking, a curved spine, and difficulty twisting or bending the body. Depending on the quality of medical care and physical therapy received, recovery from a back fracture can take up to three months or more.
What Are the Symptoms of Back Injuries?
Back injuries may manifest the following symptoms. Typically, the first is the most severe:
- Low back pain radiating to the buttocks, down the back of the thigh, and into the calves or feet
- Extreme low back muscle spasms when standing upright
- Stiffness or persistent aching from the base of the neck to the base of the tailbone
- Localized neck, upper back, or lower back pain
- Sharp pain following the lifting of heavy objects or other strenuous activity
- Chronic pain in the middle or lower back, especially after long periods of sitting or standing
- Back pain that hinders sleep
If you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs, you may have a disk striking your spinal cord or another spinal cord intrusion. From the spinal cord, nerves travel to the buttocks and then down the legs. If the pain in your back radiates down the back of your leg, you may be suffering from sciatica.
When you cough or bend forward at the waist, the resulting disc herniation pain will intensify. Pain accompanied by a fever, burning during urination, or odorous urine may indicate an infection.
What Should I Do Following My Back Injury Accident?
After sustaining a back injury in an accident, the best first steps are typically to seek medical attention and then to contact our Los Angeles Accident Lawyer. However, you should also start gathering evidence that can be used to build a strong case against the party at fault.
Generally, victims are required to demonstrate the other party’s fault and provide solid evidence of their damages. Gathering the following types of evidence can be beneficial to your case:
- Contact information and insurance coverage details of the other involved parties
- Contact information of eyewitnesses
- Photos of the accident scene
- Proof of your damages, such as pay stubs and medical bills
- Police accident report
What Treatment and Rehabilitation Options Are Available for Back Injury Patients?
Modern medicine has enabled victims of back injuries to significantly improve their conditions, allowing them to begin the healing process more quickly. Major back injuries, such as a spinal injury, may require extensive surgery, whereas less severe conditions may be treated with medication and physical therapy.
The following are some of the most prevalent treatments and rehabilitation options available to individuals with a variety of back injuries:
Back Surgery
Traditional open back (lumbar) surgery is designed to treat patients whose condition has worsened over time or who have not responded to physical therapy, medication, or bracing. There are numerous types of back surgeries used to treat conditions such as broken bones, vertebral fractures, herniated discs, and spinal nerve compression.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is a type of open-back surgery that permanently joins two or more vertebrae. It alleviates pain by stabilizing a spinal fracture.
Discectomy
In this type of open-back surgery, the herniated portion of a disc is removed, thereby relieving nerve irritation and inflammation.
Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) Surgery
MIS provides patients with many of the same advantages as traditional open lumbar surgery, minus the large incisions, scarring, and substantial blood loss. MIS is typically less painful and allows patients to spend less time in the hospital. MIS may be appropriate for patients with herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, spinal infections, and other conditions.
Conditioning Program for the Spine
During rehabilitation, a well-structured conditioning program helps strengthen muscles and increase flexibility over time. Typically, a spinal conditioning program consists of a variety of exercises designed to improve your injuries, and it is frequently combined with surgery and other treatments.
A team of medical professionals can design an effective treatment plan for your specific condition or injury, while the Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer at the Haffner Law firm can assist you in obtaining compensation from the negligent party for your medical expenses.
What Are the Types of Compensation I Can Recover for My Work-Related Back Injury?
Attempting to claim compensation for a workplace back injury can be complicated. You may not know what to do or who to hold accountable to recover benefits and compensation. In the end, several factors come into play when taking legal action, and it is crucial to work with a personal injury lawyer who can help you determine the best course of action.
Following a back injury on the job, you have the option of filing a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party claim. Here is how each option works:
Workers’ Compensation Claims
As long as they meet the requirements, your employer must provide workers’ compensation insurance. Instead of suing your employer for your damages, you agree to file an insurance claim with the workers’ compensation provider. A workers’ compensation claim can assist you in recovering compensation for lost benefits, lost wages, medical expenses, and more.
Third-Party Lawsuit
You cannot sue your employer for a workplace accident that caused your back injury, but you can sue a third party if they were responsible for your damages. For instance, if a defective product caused you to sustain a back injury, you may be able to pursue legal action against the product’s manufacturer.
This action against a third party allows you to hold a party accountable for the damages you’ve suffered.
Whether you are filing a workers’ compensation claim or a lawsuit against a third party, you must consider the severity of your injury, how long you may be out of work, your losses, and other factors. Working with a legal counsel enables you to build a strong case and pursue the maximum compensation available.
Without our skilled Los Angeles back injury lawyer, you may deal with an insurance adjuster who prioritizes profit over providing you with the necessary care. These adjusters are trained professionals who will seek to deny your claim when you are at your most vulnerable.
What is the Statute of Limitations for California Back Injury Claims?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident or injury. Exceptions may alter this duration, but the standard is two years. Your legal right to sue the other party expires after the expiration of this time frame.
Despite the apparent length of time, you must contact our personal injury attorney immediately to initiate the process and protect your rights. Your case can be filed as soon as we have gathered sufficient evidence to support it.
Can I Still Take Legal Action After the Statute of Limitations Passes?
Even if the statute of limitations has expired, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit, but doing so is usually doomed to fail. Defendants typically use the statute of limitations as a defense to have the case dismissed. Except for a few exceptions outlined by state law, there is nothing you can do to change this.
In addition, the statute of limitations for personal injury also applies to settlements. The law prohibits you from seeking compensation after two years have passed. Outside of this window, the defendant will be under no pressure or obligation to settle with you.
Contact Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Due to the nature of back injuries, the Los Angeles Back Injury Lawyer at Haffner Law should be contacted immediately so that your case can be evaluated thoroughly. It is essential to keep in mind that the insurance company is not on your side.
We at Haffner Law are committed to obtaining the most favorable financial settlement or court verdict for you. Our legal practice handles all types of back injury claims. Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are among the accident victims we represent.
You have nothing to lose by discussing your rights and options with us. To schedule a free case review with a member of our legal staff, give us a call or send us an email now.
