Back injuries can cause debilitating pain and can result in paralysis, loss of mobility and a whole host of other issues. Lawyers in Maine often see victims of car accidents and motorcycle accidents who have suffered back injuries, but other types of accidents can also cause back injuries. Some of the types of accidents include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents – Victims who slip on wet floors or floors that have been overly waxed or who trip over debris left in walkways can suffer back injuries.
- Car and truck accidents – Because victims involved in car accidents and truck accidents are often violently jolted in their seats, it is possible they can suffer long-term back problems, including bulging disks, ruptured disks and other back injuries.
Back injuries may develop over time rather than from any single incident. A personal injury lawyer can work with you to determine if your back injury was either caused by or made worse by an accident. If another party is legally at fault for the accident, you may be able to hold the negligent party responsible for your injuries.
Why Should I Work With a Lawyer in Maine?
Every state has its own set of personal injury statutes. One of the statutory rules to be aware of in Maine is what is known as “comparable fault.” Other statutory rules to be aware of are the statutes of limitations that control the deadlines for when a lawsuit must be brought. These deadlines can vary depending on the facts of a case.
What is Comparative Fault?
Comparative fault means that if you are injured because of someone else’s fault, a determination must be made to see if you could be partially responsible for the injury. If the defendant at fault in a personal injury lawsuit can prove the victim was partially at fault as well, the damage award may be reduced, although the reduction and the amount of the reduction are not automatic.
When Should I Seek Legal Advice After a Back Injury?
Most lawyers will tell you that any time you have suffered an injury as a result of an accident that was preventable, it is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer. The fact is that you need someone who will serve as your advocate and help fight for the compensation you may be due. In most personal injury cases, the typical compensation includes payment for:
- Medical bills – Any medical bills you incur as a result of an accident, including rehabilitation therapy, nursing care, doctors’ visits, tests and pain medications, may be recoverable.
- Lost wages – Victims who have lost time from work as a result of an accident in which they suffered a back injury should be entitled to recover their lost wages related to the accident injuries.
What Are Common Back Injuries?
In car accidents, slips and falls, and other personal injury incidents, back injuries can span a broad range from minor strains or sprains to severe injuries that can result in serious paralysis. The back is a large part of the body and can take on the brunt of the impact in an accident.
The type of back injury you suffer depends on various factors, such as:
- The type of accident
- Whether you fell from the same level or from heights
- The force of impact
- Where the injury occurred on your back
- Your age and pre-existing health
Our lawyers represent clients who suffer from various types of back injuries. We can handle even the most complex of cases.
What Is a Soft Tissue Back Injury?
A soft tissue back injury is one of the most common types of back injuries. Soft tissues connect and support various body organs. They include muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Back injuries that do not involve broken bones may be soft tissue injuries.
Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and tears. Soft tissue injuries may not require surgery or invasive medical procedures for treatment. However, they may require ongoing medical care and physical therapy to improve mobility and lessen pain.
What Is a Back Fracture?
A back fracture is a break to any of the bones in the back. Those who suffer from a back fracture may have limited movement and mobility for an extended period of time. Back fractures may require corrective surgery. Back injuries may involve spinal cord injuries, which can be even more serious and result in long-term medical needs. These injuries sometimes result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
What Medical Treatments Do Back Injuries Require?
Back injuries may require extensive and ongoing medical care. Depending on the injury, back injuries may require:
- Long-term hospitalization
- Immediate immobilization
- Physical therapy
- Back fusion surgery
- Spinal fusion surgery
- Disc replacement surgery
- Laser surgery
- Diagnostic testing
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Radiofrequency lesioning of the affected nerves
Regardless of the type of back injury you suffer, medical expenses can be costly. You may also be required to take time off work, which can create a further financial burden on you and your family.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can estimate the value of your claim based on your medical records and other evidence and determine the compensation to which you may be entitled.
