There is a great deal of complexity and fragility to the back. The injury to the back can completely incapacitate and humble even the strongest and healthiest person.
The Albany personal injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates understand your difficult situation and wish to help. You can trust us to cover your medical care if you have been injured in a car accident, a construction accident, or a slip-and-fall.
When to Call a Back Injury Lawyer
After an accident or injury, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Personal injury compensation is easier to recover if you consult a lawyer as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for back injury victims to delay contacting or hiring a back injury lawyer despite this.
There may be a belief that insurance companies will “take care of the problem,” or the event may be overwhelming. When it comes to pursuing back injury compensation, there are cases in which you need to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you have been injured, a lawyer can help you seek compensation.
As well as protecting your interests, an attorney will also stand up to aggressive insurance companies and big corporations that want to avoid paying fair compensation to you in the event of an accident.
5 Steps to Take After Suffering a Back Injury
If you have been the victim of a back injury, here are 5 steps you should take sooner rather than later to get the help you need legally and medically.
1. Get Medical Help Immediately
Keep your health in mind at all times. Get to a doctor or an ambulance as soon as possible. If you do not have the help of a trained medical professional, you may not be able to determine the severity of your injury.
Even little injuries and pains should be reported to your doctor. You may need physical therapy, injections, MRIs, or even surgery, depending on your doctor’s recommendation.
2. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Collect evidence if you can remain on the scene. There is a good chance that evidence will be cleaned up, moved, or altered after you leave the scene.
Write down your observations and factors that could have contributed to the accident. Identify the time and date of the crash, as well as the details of the accident. If there were poor road conditions or bad weather when the accident happened, note that.
3. Call the Police
Contact the police if you are injured or property is damaged in an accident. In a police report, a law enforcement officer will explain what caused the accident and what he or she observed.
If any traffic laws were broken by the other driver, the officer will note it as well. You may be able to advance your claim with this information.
4. Speak to an Attorney
Talk to an attorney before settling your injury claim, even if you intend to handle it yourself. You’ll get your questions answered, and you’ll learn more about how your injury case will be handled.
Your chances of working out a favorable settlement may be reduced if you wait too long. We work closely with medical providers all the time, so we may also be able to help you find less expensive medical treatment options.
5. Make an Insurance Claim
If you have suffered damages, you must try to file an insurance claim for compensation, such as:
- Damage to property
- The cost of medical care
- A loss of income
- Suffering and discomfort
Stick to the facts when you make your claim. You should refrain from making any statements that involve an opinion, such as how the accident occurred or how fast you were traveling.
Compensation for Back Injury Accidents
Damages are typically included in compensation for a back injury claim. As we explore the possible financial recovery options in a typical back injury case, we’ll look at both types of damages.
- Economic damages: Losses resulting from an injury that can be quantified are known as economic damages. Back injury claims could result in economic damages such as past and future medical bills, income loss, and diminished earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages: A non-economic injury covers non-monetary losses caused by your back injuries, which aren’t always easy to quantify. Among them are suffering and pain, stress and anxiety, and consortia loss.
- Punitive damages: Back injury cases may be awarded punitive damages in rare cases. Punitive damages are usually only awarded after a jury has decided that punitive damages are appropriate after a civil trial and the defendant has demonstrated more than just run-of-the-mill negligence.
Some back injury statistics include:
- An adult of working age is most likely to experience a back injury, according to the Manchester Metropolitan University.
- An estimated 80% of adults will suffer a back injury at some point in their lives.
- Approximately 2 million back injuries occur in the United States each year.
- One-third of the patients had a recurrent episode, and nearly half required treatment throughout the study, which involved almost 1000 employed people between the ages of 15 and 64.
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Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
Common Types of Back Injuries
Common types of back injuries include:
1. Soft Tissue
Among the most common back injuries are soft tissue sprains and strains. In a sprain, ligaments are stretched or torn, whereas in a strain, muscles or tendons are stretched or torn.
2. Herniated Discs
It is also common to suffer from a herniated disc. Discs between the vertebrae cushion, absorb shock and allow the spinal column to move freely.
An outer ring of ligaments surrounds and protects the jelly-like nucleus of each disc. When the outer ring of the disc tears, the nucleus pushes through and into the spine.
3. Injuries Resulting in Degeneration
As the spine ages, it naturally degenerates and loses its normal structure and function. There are several common forms of degeneration, including:
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
4. Fractures
One of the most common back injuries is a vertebral fracture. There are several reasons why a fracture may occur, including osteoporosis and traumatic injuries.
Symptoms of spine fractures include pain that worsens with movement. Bracing, traction, or surgery may be recommended depending on the type of fracture you have.
Call a Back Injury Lawyer in Albany Today
Personal injury compensation can be determined by a lawyer who examines the facts of your case. The damages can include items that are often overlooked, such as lost personal property, housekeeping, or other expenses.
An Albany back injury lawyer at John Foy & Associates can offer a free case evaluation if you or a loved one has been injured in a back accident. In most cases, there are no legal fees unless we obtain money for you if we handle your case on a contingency fee basis. For an experienced, aggressive representation of your interests following a back injury caused by someone else’s negligence, get a no-cost evaluation today.
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