Back pain is the number one cause of disability in the world, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Back injuries prevent many people from working or completing other daily activities. They also cost Americans $50 million in health care each year.
Back injuries can range from minor pain to severe and life-altering. If you have back pain, you might wonder if the damage is serious. Did you just tweak it mildly, or is the pain cause for concern? Below, we’ll cover some ways you might tell the difference.
Signs of a Serious Back Injury
Back pain is so common that some people might discount serious symptoms. Here are some signs that you shouldn’t ignore.
- Pain that shoots or moves from the back to the legs or glutes
- Being short of breath or having trouble breathing
- Sharp pains
- Losing control of the bowels or bladder
- Numbness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- A feeling of pins and needles
- Sudden leg weakness
- Blood in the urine
- Paralysis
- Red streaks on the back
These symptoms could indicate more dangerous conditions. Back injuries might compress nerves, causing shooting pains. Pins and needles or numbness can be a sign of a condition called cauda equina syndrome.
Other signs might indicate infection, spinal diseases, or even stroke. If back pain doesn’t go away, see a doctor as soon as possible. It’s best to get treatment now before things could become worse.
If you have back pain after a serious blow, a fall, or an accident, see a doctor immediately for an exam.
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Other Signs of a Back Injury
Some back injuries are not life-threatening, but they can still cause a lot of pain or other issues. You might have a back injury if you experience:
- Stiffness or trouble moving
- Pain or soreness
- Bruising
- Trouble standing up straight
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms along the spine
- Pain when you move, laugh, or cough
- Pain that moves down your legs
Spine Conditions that Might Cause Back Pain
Besides injuries, pain back can come from conditions like:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Scoliosis
- Sacroiliitis
- Inflammatory arthritis
These conditions might not happen because of injuries. However, they might still require expensive treatment or therapies.
Causes of Serious Back Injuries
Many situations may cause back injuries. Humans can perform actions every day that contribute to back pain, especially in the lower back. Some back injuries happen when an exact cause isn’t apparent.
Severe back injuries causes can include:
- Strains from lifting heavy objects or lifting something too suddenly
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Ruptured or bulging discs in the spine
- Spine fractures from conditions like osteoporosis
- Arthritis
Personal injury accidents can lead to serious back injuries. For example, car accidents, even mild ones, often lead to debilitating back pain. This pain can stay for years and make daily life difficult.
If someone else caused an accident that injured your back, you have rights. You might deserve financial compensation for your losses. If so, you can file a personal injury claim to recover your costs.
John Foy & Associates can help if your back injury results from an accident. We’ll determine if you have a legal case for compensation. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
What to Do if Your Back Injury Is Serious
You can only know for sure if your back injury is serious by seeing a doctor. A physician can perform a physical exam. They might also order x-rays or other tests to understand what’s wrong.
If your back pain happened after an accident, document the details. If someone else was at fault, you might have a legal case. You can protect your rights by:
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene
- Getting medical treatment as soon as possible
- Calling your doctor if your back pain doesn’t improve or gets worse
- Getting copies of your medical records
- Saving all bills, doctor notes, and receipts from your injury costs
- Calling a lawyer who specializes in personal injury accidents
Back injuries are complicated. You might not feel the pain entirely until hours, days, or weeks after your accident. Plus, insurance companies often doubt the legitimacy of back injuries, even when they’re severe.
If someone else was at fault for your accident, their insurance company should cover the costs. But insurance companies will look for ways to pay less than you deserve. The insurer might:
- Question the severity of your back injury
- Claim that you hurt your back before the accident
- Try to blame you for the accident
- Offer you a lowball settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your costs
It’s important to document a serious back injury as fully as possible. You’ll need to see a doctor for any concern and keep up with all of your treatment needs. Also, complete all possible treatments before filing your insurance claim.
A back injury lawyer can help you with all of the above. Don’t assume your back injury isn’t serious without speaking to a professional. Back injuries can impact your life in many ways. If you didn’t cause your injury, you might not be responsible for the costs.
Talk to a Back Injury Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we can help if you might have a serious back injury. Contact us today to discuss the details during a FREE consultation.
Working with us is risk-free because we don’t get paid unless we win you money. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
