A back injury can turn your life upside down. One minute, you’re going about your day, and the next, you’re dealing with pain, hefty medical bills, and the stress of missing work.
A serious back injury is just as financially and emotionally draining as it is physically painful.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may have legal options to recover your losses.
Accidents That Often Cause Back Injuries
Back injuries can happen in just about any type of situation, but some scenarios make them more likely.
Car Accidents
Even a low-speed car crash can cause serious back trauma. The force can damage muscles, discs, and even the spinal nerves. Rear-end collisions often lead to whiplash, which is usually associated with the neck muscles but can extend into the lower back.
Slips And Falls
Winters in Minnesota are no joke. Icy sidewalks, snow-covered stairs, and wet floors cause countless falls every year. A bad fall can cause vertebral fractures, slipped discs, and permanent nerve damage. Property owners can be held responsible under premises liability law when they don’t keep their spaces safe for visitors.
Workplace Injuries
Repetitive movements, lifting heavy objects, and falls can all lead to serious back injuries on the job. Employees who work in construction, warehouses, or healthcare facilities are more likely to experience them. The state’s workers’ compensation laws cover most job-related injuries, but the process doesn’t always make it easy to get the benefits these workers deserve.
Medical Malpractice
Sometimes, medical treatment that’s meant to help ends up making things worse. A botched surgery, misdiagnosed condition, or improper spinal injection can cause long-term pain and disability. Legal action may be necessary to recover the costs if a doctor’s negligent mistake causes or worsens a back injury.
Types Of Back Injuries That Can Lead To Legal Claims
Not every back injury triggers a personal injury case, but victims have the right to file for compensation when negligence is involved. Oftentimes, these claims involve similar types of injuries.
Herniated Discs
The spine is made up of bones cushioned by soft, gel-like discs. A sudden impact can force a disc out of place and cause severe pain and nerve compression. Some people can recover with therapy and rest, but others need surgery.
Fractured Vertebrae
A broken back is as serious as it sounds. Any type of accident that causes trauma to the back can break or shatter a bone. Recover often takes months, and the damage is permanent in some cases.
Spinal Cord Damage
The most severe back injuries involve damage to the spinal cord. Partial or complete paralysis is a very real risk and could change a person’s life forever. These injuries often need ongoing (and possibly lifelong) medical care, home modifications, and significant financial resources.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Not all back injuries will show up on an X-ray. Torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause chronic pain and problems with mobility. Insurance companies often try to downplay these injuries, but they can be just as life-changing as any other back trauma.
Compensation Available For Back Injury Victims
Back injuries tend to come with large financial burdens. Hospital bills pile up quickly, and not being able to work can make it hard to stay afloat financially. If someone else’s negligence caused the injury, victims can generally recover compensation for:
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care costs
Insurance companies tend to be more interested in protecting their bottom line than helping accident victims, so having strong legal representation can make a big difference.
How A Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with a personal injury claim is tough, especially when you’re recovering from a back injury and trying to focus on healing. Some insurance adjusters push for quick settlements that rarely cover the full extent of your losses, and others look for ways to outright deny claims.
A personal injury attorney can help you by:
- Gathering medical records and other evidence to prove the severity of your injury
- Negotiating with insurance companies to make sure you’re fairly compensated
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement isn’t offered
- Making sure deadlines are met so you don’t lose your case on a technicality
For workers injured on the job, legal counsel is especially important. Workers’ comp is supposed to cover medical costs and lost wages, but insurance and employers sometimes push back against legitimate claims. A lawyer can help injured workers fight for the benefits they’re owed and explore other legal options if someone else contributed to their injury.
Get Legal Help For Your Back Injury In Minneapolis
If you’ve suffered a back injury because of someone’s negligence, the team at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to set up a free evaluation of your case.
Contact a Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyer With Experience Brain Injury Claims
If you were injured by another party’s actions, you may have the right to financial compensation for the harm you suffered. Contact our compassionate Minneapolis catastrophic injury lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you can call (800) 292-1979 for a free and confidential consultation.
