What Are Examples of Severe Back Injuries?

Your back and neck comprise bones, muscles, discs, and connective tissues. This part of the body is especially vulnerable to injury. When injuries occur, they can be severely debilitating and painful. In some circumstances, an injury may be near impossible to recover from, potentially leaving an accident victim forever paralyzed.

There are two primary types of back injuries: cervical radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis.

Cervical radiculopathy is the injury or disturbance of nerve function resulting from the compression of nerve roots on the vertebrae. This type of injury can cause pain, fatigue, and loss of sensation. Cervical radiculopathy can result from ruptured discs, pressure on nerve roots, and degenerative changes in the bones.

Spondylolisthesis is the slipping of the vertebra, typically at the base of the spine. This type of injury is generally caused by broken bones or trauma to the spine.

Common examples of the most severe back and neck injuries include:

  • Broken back or broken neck.
  • Extensive spinal bruising.
  • Facet joint fractures.
  • Fractured vertebrae.
  • Lumbar spine injuries.
  • Open wounds to the neck or back.
  • Spinal cord injuries that affect internal organs.
  • Thoracic spine injuries.
  • Torn cartilage between the joints.

Symptoms of serious back and neck injuries include shortness of breath, fever, blood in the urine, numbness in the limbs, and potential paralysis.

What Are Examples of Minor Back Injuries?

Back injuries are fairly common in accidents. Sadly, too often, people try to simply ‘walk it off’ when they should seek medical treatment immediately. Although no injury is worth living with and forgoing medical aid, some spine injuries are considered minor in comparison to the more catastrophic injuries.

Examples of relatively minor back injuries include the following:

  • Arthritis.
  • Bulging discs.
  • Disc disease.
  • Facet joint dislocation.
  • Herniated discs.
  • Inflammation.
  • Spinal stenosis.
  • Sprains.
  • Strains.
  • Whiplash.

Symptoms of minor neck and back injuries may include pain and tenderness, difficulty standing straight, swelling, bruising, muscle spasms, and pain radiating down either leg.

What is the Average or Median Settlement for a Neck or Back Injury?

The national average settlement amount for severe neck and back injuries is approximately $900,000. Meanwhile, the median settlement amount is closer to $300,000. The known highest amount ever paid in a neck or back injury case was over $70,000,000. However, please keep things in perspective. The lowest amount ever awarded in a neck or back injury case was less than $1,800.

There are so many factors that will determine how much each unique case is worth, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, how the injury affects your ability to stay employed, how the injury affects your day-to-day life, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Should You Accept the Insurance Company’s Initial Offer?

It would be wise not to accept the insurance company’s initial offer. Insurance companies typically like to lowball accident victims by offering settlement amounts less than what they deserve. We recommend getting in touch with our law firm to discuss your case and your legal options before you accept any settlement offer. With our legal representation, we can help you pursue maximum compensation for your personal injury claim.

What Financial Compensation Could You Potentially Recover for Car Accident Neck and Back Injuries?

With a well-argued case, it is possible to recover both economic and non-economic damages. And, in cases of malice, wanton negligence, and abject cruelty, you may also pursue punitive damages.

The damages you recover could provide financial relief for medical bills, emotional distress, physical therapy, property damage, disability, disfigurement, loss of consortium, lost wages, and lost future income.

What is the Traumatic Head & Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program?

Created in 1993, the Louisiana Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program (THSCI) provides services to state citizens who’ve suffered traumatic head or spinal cord injuries. The program aims to help injured victims return to an independent style of living while also issuing harsher penalties for driving offenses, including DUIs, reckless driving, and driving over the speed limit.

Eligibility requirements for the THSCI Program include:

  • An application must be filled out properly and submitted to the appropriate offices.
  • Be a resident of the state of Louisiana at the time of the traumatic injury.
  • Have exhausted Medicaid and Medicare sources. Additionally, if requested, the individual may be asked to prove proof of denial from other insurers.
  • Have a qualifying traumatic spinal cord injury or traumatic head injury.
  • Have a reasonable expectation of improving function and day-to-day life provided they receive adequate financial assistance.
  • Willingness to accept services from a government-approved provider, facility, and/or program.

Contact Babcock Injury Lawyers to Schedule Your Free Case Review

Back and neck injuries can be very serious, potentially robbing a person of their quality of life and leaving them with a permanent disability. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury to the back, neck, or spine, you deserve the opportunity to seek justice and financial recovery. As the accident victim, you should not be on the hook for costly medical expenses, lost income, or rehabilitation therapy. If the fault rests with another party, then that party and their insurance company should be responsible for providing compensation.

At Babcock Injury Lawyers, our highly skilled legal team will devote its time and resources to your case in pursuit of the most optimal outcome. Our firm offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a free consultation to all prospective clients. To learn more, please call our law office at (225) 240-4053.